February 03, 2004
Examining the Super Bowl and our Culture
I’ve read much of the discussions on various Christian blogs on the issues of the Super Bowl, but I’m really interested in what you think. Clearly this Super Bowl was more sexualized than any other I can remember and not simply because of Justin Timberlake’s faux pas. The commercials likewise seemed to embrace a clearly non-Catholic sexuality as well as a terrible understanding of marriage and married life. The question is: does the Super Bowl and all that it entails portray American values? Or is the Super Bowl simply trying to be cutting-edge in order to snag visitors?
I, frankly, don’t feel that American society is quite as shallow and materialistic as the ads and antics of the Super Bowl seem to suggest. In the name of humor, we often take a tendency and discuss it as reality (for example the referee who is chewed out by his wife). I can understand this. But do real people see this as the outcome of marriage? I’m not convinced.
I also tend to ignore the publicity stunts of would-be entertainers. It’s often those without much talent that need to utilize stunts in order to sell albums. Controversy only goes so far and then it gets overdone and boring. I do have a problem with some of the lyrics used by singers during the game, which is probably a closer reflection of the attitudes and tolerances our society has. We do seem to be moving towards a culture that resembles pornography more than the Christian ideal – this is the heart of the matter in my mind. There is no joy or happiness to be found in seeking material rewards (someone will always have more than you do), but do our younger generations understand this? Will the pendulum swing back towards a healthy understanding of humanity?
On an individual level we can work to change our culture through prayer, example, and action. First, prayer is always our best agent of change. I think it’s appropriate to pray a rosary weekly for our country and her inhabitants. Second, our example is very important: we can show the joy and happiness to be found in faithfully living out the Gospel. Finally we can take action by teaching others the problems inherent in materialism and that real value can only be found in the cross of Christ. This isn’t easy, but it isn’t difficult either. On this blog, I’m making a commitment to start talking about materialism and it’s effects. Hopefully we’ll all learn something that we can take out to our friends and family.
I’m very interested in your views about the Super Bowl fiasco – let me know what you think.
God bless,
Jay
PS – let’s pray that next year’s Super Bowl is tame compared to this one!
Posted by Jay at February 3, 2004 04:14 PM | TrackBack |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Jay,
This is a timely article. It's funny, because I actually missed the whole fiasco. Knowing that halftime shows have become little more that toned down sex-capades, I turned the channel to EWTN during the halftime, tuning into Archbishop Fulton Sheen instead. And boy am I glad I did.
My point, however, is that my instinct demonstrates that this is decidedly not the exception or particularly novel in the grand scheme of things. Go to the theatres--the graphic sexuality is enough to take your breath away, literally. The commercials on TV are probably 50% sexually based. What is truly terrible is how easily they penetrate (no pun intended) the mind. I will confess that I am frequently sucked in. The arousal this kind of material creates is instantaneous, unavoidable, and undeniable. The only solution is to shut it off.
As evidence of how deep this particular problem goes, consider that even as America's youth become increasingly more conservative than their baby boomer parents, statistics are showing that there has never before been a generation as sexually active... nor one that has done it at such a young age. Consider also the common conception that sexual offenders are nearly impossible to rehabilitate (not that I agree with this).
What it all points to is just this: the cat's out of the bag. Unlike some things, sexual "freedom" is not something that can be put back in the box. It grabs a hold of you, of society, and sticks like a tick, a leach, or a pit bull that won't let go. Think about the most wicked city in history and what type of sin they were engaged in. This does not bode well for America. Think I'm wrong? Take one sideways glance at Western Europe, because that my friend is what's coming down the pipe.
What to do? Only Jesus Christ can free us from this bondage. More succinctly, only the true presentation of the Gospel offered by the Catholic Church. As a Protestant, sexual sin was something I abhorred... but of course things like porn, masturbation, lust, etc. weren't nearly as bad as homosexuality or adultery. The lack of an authoritative voice declaring the damning (not just damaging) effect of these sins made them less of a problem. Something to be worked on but not destroyed. The truth stated by the Church that these sins are disordered and turn the soul away from God has awakened in me a desire for holiness that Protestantism never did. Pray that this truth will conquer the aberrant path we are on in this country.
In Christ,
Dave
It truly amazes me that the majority of people out there (including many Catholics I know) refuse to see the relationship of our rapidly declining (and yes, very unhappy) culture to the widespread use of contraception. Pope Paul VI was truly prophetic in his encyclical Humanae Vitae. We must pray continually that people come to see the destructive nature of widespread use of contraception, and that this may in turn re-ignite people's respect for the human person.
Posted by: NCB at February 5, 2004 07:59 PMThere was a time in the not too distant past when sports seemed to be the last bastion of entertainment not cursed by Captialism's tendancy to profit thru sex.
Sports served as a suitable secular diversion to teach about fairness, teamwork, talent and the strive towards being victorious in a framework of rules and respect for one's opponent.
Now, even sports have been engulfed by the god of profit and money - a god that is most easily fed thru sex and sin.
Our culture today makes manifests the Catholic predictions of decline brought about by a desrepect towards life - fostered in part by the acceptance of contraception.
