January 8, 2013
World Net Daily Criticizes Neil Patrick Harris' Super Bowl Promo
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
The ultra Christian conservative website World Net Daily is slamming a Super Bowl ad featuring Neil Patrick Harris for apparently "mocking Christians" and pushing "the gay agenda."
In the promo, the out actor is wearing eye black with "Feb. 3, 2013" (the date of Super Bowl XLVII) which references New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow, who was thrown into the media spotlight in 2012 for wearing Bible verses in eye black.
"CBS, the television network airing the big game this year, is now using an outspoken homosexual actor to mimic Tim Tebow's style of trumpeting messages in eye black on his face," the WND article reads. "One football fan who watched the CBS promo Sunday made the connection between Harris and Tebow, saying, 'They're pushing a gay agenda by using him, and they're mocking Christians at the same time.'"
The article goes on to say that the "How I Met Your Mother" actor "makes no secret of his homosexuality" because he came out in People magazine in November 2006 and said, "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love."
WND posted a poll in the article and asked, "Is CBS mocking Tim Tebow and/or Christians in its Super Bowl ads?" and 49 percent said, "Yes, and every effort should be made to boycott CBS and its advertisers" while 16 percent said "Yes, it's more than obvious, and it's totally offensive by CBS." Fourteen percent said, "Yes, in the subtle way TV networks use images to slowly undermine Christianity," and only 2% said "No, the network is just promoting the big game."
This isn't the first time conservative Christians have opposed the big game. Last year, the religious right attacked the 2012 Super Bowl's halftime show because pop sensation and gay icon Madonna performed. While some outlets said the show would "go down in history as the gayest Super Bowl ever," Life Site News, another conservative news site, warned parents of Madonna's "provocative approach to entertainment" and said the singer has "mocked Christian signs and symbols including Christ's crucifixion." The site added that her "music, lifestyle and role-modeling is contrary to traditional family values."
Life Site went on to slam "Cirque du Soleil" and warned that the show's "lesser known sexual-side act" is a "pornographic production," which includes "homosexual tangos and nude sadomasochist bondage routines."
Additionally, gay public service announcements from the Gay Lesbian & Straight Education Alliance's "Look Before You Speak" campaign were shown at the 2012 Super Bowl and targeted teens who use the word "gay" derogatorily.
Some Christians may take issue with this year's Super Bowl as well, since Beyonc�, a notable gay icon, is scheduled to perform at the halftime show.