Alex – totally agree. On all points.

Wanda – I hope you read the other post when I said that Focus has every right to spend their money any they choose and that I certainly believe that they are good, well intentioned people. I’m just sharing my thoughts here. And not in all caps I might add.

The ad is a GREAT ad. It will reach MILLIONS. Period.

The money was donated by people who clearly DO want this message out there. I say good for them!

I see the financial side of things from a different perspective. I don’t think it is an either/or but it is a both/and. We must do what we must do to reach people with the Gospel. We must also care for the least of these. We must do both. In this world, both efforts will cost large amounts of money at the end of the day.

I think this is a great discussion to have and one that I pray will take place in both the “marketing” and in the “missional” work that the Church does. God calls us to be great stewards of all that he has given us – these discussions, when done in a healthy manner, help us ensure that we are always viewing our resources with that lense.

I just posted my final response on this issue as a new post. I hope you read it. I think this new message is way more important than what I wrote on this post. Thanks!

http://www.nicolewick.com/2010/01/in-response-focus-round-2/

I just have a different perspective. It’s not the money issue for me. It’s not even that they are speaking against abortion. They have become a political organization that see’s the battle for abortion in the polls. That is their right. In this perspective, I see how this ad, which I do believe will be very sensitive and wonderfully put together, still political in nature. Its at the heart of what Focus is doing.

By the way, if anyone is interested, we are doing baby bottle drives right now for our local pregnancy advocate center. They will be able to become ultra sound certified and buy a machine this year!!!!

From what I have read about it, the ad is pretty innocuous with regard to content. It is not going to attack any legislation, promote any legislation or go after or support any politician. It is merely going to be the Tebow family, particularly Pam Teblow talking about her decision to give birth to Tim after suffering a placental abruption, despite the doctors warning her she shouldn’t. Network stations have a long history of not allowing political ads to air during the Super Bowl.

Nicole, I understand your concerns about where the money is being spent, but the fact of the matter is, there are still over 1 MILLION abortions performed in the United States every year. If the Tebows can be any kind of inspiration to some in what makes up one of the largest television days of the year, then I think it is worth it. We cannot start putting dollar values on human life.

I say this as a rather conservative person politically. That being said, I do agree about Focus on The Family and their politics. For an organization that does so much good, they fail completely with regard to politics because their attitude as a whole is one that stems from an attitude of anger and not grace.

The real issue to me is this: Did CBS green-light this ad largely because of the marketing value of one Tim Tebow? That’s the question. Would they allow it if everything were exactly the same except the participants were people we never heard of.

I’m glad that I’ve connected with some many great people via Twitter. It’s cool to be able to discuss such things without it descending into petty name calling and idiocy.

As for the study on the other blog, I am HIGHLY skeptical. Anyone who used the word “progressive” probably IS a progressive, because most people say “liberal.” (although Progressive is a more accurate term.) I would have to see the questions, and I would guess they are severely biased. Just a guess. Notice, though that the survey asked about opinions on political issues, not helping specific people, or giving charities. (It probably inferred that the gov’t should be concerned with these things)

There was also a very high profile study, by a well-known outlet (I can’t remember it right now, and it’s too late to look it up) that conservative Christians actually GIVE more to charity, because liberals typically think it is the government/society’s job where Christians would rather choose where their money and time goes. However, liberals make more noise about these issues, because they want to give everyone’s money to the causes they support. Does that make sense?

And for the record: Yes, I am biased! lol

Buying a $3 million dollar 30 second ad, combating abortion, to run during the super bowl, is a political ad. That’s all it is. It a political agenda based ad.

I disagree with abortion in our country. BUT, I don’t believe the battle for the lives of children is in Washington. It’s with the young ladies making daily decision to give up the lives of their child. The answer is in the Pregnancy advocate centers in each of our towns. It’s in the women’s shelters and in the high school and colleges of our states.

Washington can decide whatever they want for our lives. You can’t legislate morality. That’s a heart issue. Whether Washington bans abortion or not, doesn’t change the hearts of millions that would choose and abortion.

This $3 million is an absolute waste of funds. It is a complete and total political ad.

Please send all hate mail to DC :)