NFL Pulls Plug On Big-Screen Church Parties For Super Bowl

The Washington Pest ^ | 2/1/08 | Jacqueline L. Salmon

[steve-b]

For years, as many as 200 members of Immanuel Bible Church and their friends have gathered in the church's fellowship hall to watch the Super Bowl on its six-foot screen. The party featured hard hitting on the TV, plenty of food -- and prayer.

But this year, Immanuel's Super Bowl party is no more. After a crackdown by the National Football League on big-screen Super Bowl gatherings by churches, the Springfield church has sacked its event. Instead, church members will host parties in their homes.

Immanuel is among a number of churches in the Washington area and elsewhere that have been forced to use a new playbook to satisfy the NFL, which said that airing games at churches on large-screen TV sets violates the NFL copyright....

[Perdogg]

Because in the case last year, the Church was charging money.

[AnnGora]

Wow. I always thought churches had services on Sunday evening to worship God, not football. Although He is the same: yesterday, today, and forever, some churches apparently feel the need to evolve with the times. Next thing you know, they will be having drive thru servi...

uh, wait a minute...

[Screaming_Gerbil]

Maybe I am a bit confused here, but I don’t see how Churches and the Super Bowl go together.

Maybe they are not mutually exclusive, but it’s not exactly a religous message I think - and should a church be where people gather together to watch the Super Bowl?

I Wonder how something like that half-time Janet Jackson breast exposure act would go over if it was being shown in church...

[Red Badger]

That is wrong........A house of worship should never charge money for fellowship gatherings...........

[bluebeak]

This makes perfect sense! Allowing this hurts the NFL ability to sell tickets to the Superbowl. Oh, I’m being sarcastic.

Where is the outrage from environmentalist? Isn’t watching this is groups saving electricity (as opposed to multiple viewing locations).

What is wrong with the NFL? Aw ... people at the gatherings are watching the million dollar advertisements?

[Wolfie]

Fiasco? I think not. Americans are rabid for Pro Football.

[The Louiswu]

They were collection donations for the church itself. People were free to give or not.

[Tanniker Smith]

But it’s okay to watch in bars???

[uptoolate]

I do not have the attention span to watch a lot of the Super Bowl and will watch some of it like I watch all sports on televisions without the sound. That said, I am not sure why Churches would want to have Super Bowl parties. If there is something called worldliness as mentioned in the Bible, then there is no greater public celebration of worldliness than the Super Bowl. If individuals want to watch the Super Bowl so be it, but churches should not be feel wronged if the NFL will not allow them to pimp for it.

I too have given up on worshiping the 'god of sport'. It is rather quite liberating I must tell you.

[Perdogg]

This year’s schedule

Feb 1st, 2008 NFL Legal @ Immanuel Bible Church (CBS-TV)

bye

[Wolfie]

Bars are specifically exempted.

[Proverbs 3-5]

Because in the case last year, the Church was charging money.

Maybe, maybe not, but I've been told they can't advetise period, free or charge.

If there is a charge it is usually to defray the cost of food.

Don't know about other churches but the only Super Bowl parties at my church have been geared as an out reach program for the youth program. You know, bring a friend who might not otherwise come to church. We still have our regular non-football worship service in the evening during the game.

[CIB-173RDABN]

Just how does this violate NFL copyrights?

Thatis my question, just how does this violate anyones copyright. Unless they are charging admission then what difference does it make how many get together to watch the game?

[Perdogg]

The situation last year, the church was charging money to cover the cost of the food.

[bluebeak]

they (nfl) care about the flawed method of how ratings are calculated.

[Arcy]

The NFL is anti-family, anti-community, and anti-church. What does it matter where and how many watch this "game" when almost all of the attendees are paying inflated rates for cable television at their own homes?

[Red in Blue PA]

Soon you will need to count the number of people in your living room who are watching the game and pay for each person.

This is simply: Capitalism run amok!

And sadly, many here will defend this form of capitalism, where the laws are used as a bludgeon.

[FishTale]

"Didn't we do this last year?"

Maybe, but I was too busy beating my wife during the Super Bowl to notice...

[Red in Blue PA]

I wonder if they would make this same requirement of a mosque?

Methinks NOT.

[jwparkerjr]

I would just have everyone bring a tv with them. For those who don’t have one to bring I would have donated or loaned sets available at the door. One of the sets that a party goer brought would be the big screen set. Then everyone would sit with their little sets turned on but be able to see the big one too. Then I would tell the NFL, “See you in court!”

Sometimes you just have to make something more trouble than it’s worth to make a point.