February 4, 2012
Christian Groups: Tune Out Heathen Madonna
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
This year's Super Bowl halftime show has been billed as one of the gayest sporting events in recent years as the Queen of Pop, Madonna, is set to perform with rappers Nicki Minaj and M.IA. among others. Although football isn't for everyone, a number of Christian groups are in a tizzy about the gay icon performing.
A group of Christians have created a "pro-family alternative" for the Super Bowl halftime show - a video of Indianapolis Colts' head coach Tony Dungy and his wife asking Christians to adopt orphans, according to One News Now.
"They themselves have opened their heart and their home to several adoptive children," the vice president of marketing for the adoption agency Bethany Christian Services said. "And so Tony wanted to make available a personal message that he wanted to share with many, many Christian families across the country to take a few minutes out during the Super Bowl to do something for children."
"Tony Dungy himself will be seen by hundreds of millions of people this Sunday," he points out. "The game is on NBC, where he's an analyst and a commentator; and the game is in Indianapolis, where he was the coach who won the Super Bowl just a few years ago."
The Catholic League, an American Catholic anti-defamation organization, issued a statement about Madonna performing at Super Bowl. The organization's president, Bill Donohue, criticized the 2012 Super Bowl officials for choosing the 53-year-old pop star for its halftime show.
"On October 4, I issued a news release calling into question the propriety of having Madonna perform at the 2012 Super Bowl; she was rumored to be one of the artists under consideration," Donohue said in a statement. "I advised against it, citing her anti-Catholic legacy."
Donohue then sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and asked him not to have Madonna perform during the half time special. Goodell, however, is still allowing her to perform.
"The ball is now in Goodell's court," Donohue said. "Unfortunately for him, he no longer has control of it - Madonna does. Now let's see if she behaves. If she doesn't, Goodell will have to answer to all Americans."
Madonna is expected to play her classic hits, "Vogue," "Music," "Like a Prayer" and her newest single "Give Me All Your Luvin'." Guest stars include pop duo LMFAO, soul superstar Cee Lo Green and a performance by Cirque du Soleil.
