NFL oks Super Bowl viewing in churches, as long as no one pays
By Conrad Quilty-Harper 
posted Feb 3rd 2007 9:03PM
posted Feb 3rd 2007 9:03PM
Whilst many may be aware of the strong reputation that churches hold for repeatedly pulling off successful annual gatherings, a recent letter sent by the NFL to the Fall Creek Baptist Church suggests that this particular organization isn't quite so clued in. The letter, which caused the church in question to cancel a planned "Super Bowl Party" sparked a litany of other cancellations by churches scared of attracting the wrath of the league. The NFL has subsequently attempted to rectify the situation it got itself into -- some would argue the sports equivalent of "cancelling Christmas" -- by stating that their original claim was that churches could display the game, as long as they didn't charge for entry, or display the game on anything other than "a television of the type commonly used at home": in the case of the kitted out Fall Creek Baptist Church, they were hoping to broadcast the game on a TV measuring more than a divine 55-inches diagonally. Unfortunately for the groups that arranged and then subsequently cancelled their parties, it's a little too late to re-advertise. Fortunately, God's omnipresence comes in handy for these sort of screw-ups, so the solution for watching the game at home with the ultimate authority is as simple as leaving a space on the couch. Whether or not he digs your set is an entirely different matter, and one that's entirely down to thickness of your wallet.[Via Tom's Hardware]
church is expensive. they want 10% of your income(before taxes) plus offerings.
Latter-day Saints ("Mormons") normally donate like 1/3 of their income.
Freaking NFL, first their damn NFL Network makes it impossible for most people, especially broadcast-only viewers, to see their games, now an absurd "no TV larger that 55 inches" for the Stupid Bowl. Plus, the church is non profit and the $5 was going toward the cost of the renting the projector.
yeah... and a kegger is to only recoup the cost of the beer. Gimmie a break its another way for them to take the money of their congregation. Im sure they figured they might wanna pass around a donation basket during the half time show..
Somebody call the NFL, because these people are paying with their SOULS!!! GAHHHHHHHHHH!!!
I have been to plenty of these church parties. The charge is cover the food costs instead of having everybody bring an item.
They just have a few people get a variety of stuff. Then you don't end up having 100 bags of chips and nothing else. It is more efficient this way when dealing with 100s of people.
WowWowWiiWow! America is to conservative right-wing capitalist Christianity as Saudi-Arabia is to conservative right-wing capitalist Sharia-law Islam.
After cracking down on churches showing the "Big Game" (I'm not sure I can legally use the S word without permission), I wonder if the NFL will crack down on Applebee's, O'Charley's, and numerous bars and restaurants across the land, that show the "Big Game" on multiple large screen TV's? Maybe those places will let people eat and drink for free, or for a $5 donation, so thay can watch the game. I think the church is a far better location for a smoke-free, alcohol-free family game night - I think the NFL should allow shoing the game.
the difference here.. is restaurants and bars dont charge you to watch a free television broadcast. They charge you for their food and services. The church is charging people admission in order to view the game. Just like you legally cannot have a gathering of people and charge them to watch one of your DVDs at your house. Now if they (the church) were smart... which they arent obviously... they would say that the cover charge was to pay for food and refreshments... but they didnt. Too bad.. the Church cant make money off of football.
you know whats a great family game night location that is smoke free and alcohol free... YOUR HOUSE.. and i bet you wouldnt be charging your friends to come over and watch the game on your tv.
It was God's judgement on the church
Genesis 3:24 says
"thou shalt not watch rex grossman and the bears beat peyton manning on a screen larger than 55", for 55 is a holy and divine number. Neither shalt thou watch on a screen smaller than the sacred number 55. The numbers 54 and 56 may not be used either."
(yes, it's a rip off the holy hand grenade of antioch.....)
Can anyone tell me how this is tech news, or why it's on engadget?
My guess is the TV involved.
It's the law.
Limitations on exclusive rights: Exemption of certain performances and displays
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 106, the following are not infringements of copyright:
(5)
(B) communication by an establishment of a transmission or retransmission embodying a performance or display of a nondramatic musical work intended to be received by the general public, originated by a radio or television broadcast station licensed as such by the Federal Communications Commission, or, if an audiovisual transmission, by a cable system or satellite carrier, if—
(II) if the performance or display is by audiovisual means, any visual portion of the performance or display is communicated by means of a total of not more than 4 audiovisual devices, of which not more than 1 audiovisual device is located in any 1 room, and no such audiovisual device has a diagonal screen size greater than 55 inches...
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode17/usc_sec_17_00000110----000-.html
What has this country come to when we can't watch a football game on a 56 inch TV....
Sam, if they play sport games as part of normal operations, they can play the Super Bowl with no repercussions.
Colt Fans: With God on our side, how can we lose!
Bear Fans: With God on our side, how can we lose!
God: F***...
Fucking shit, it's hard to believe how much I *HATE* the NFL (the organization, not the game). They are probably the greediest bunch of old grumpy assholes every to grace this planet.
Dan, Utah also has the highest bankruptcy rate in the country as well as the highest use of anti-depression drugs.
What churches even allow beer guzzling, swimsuit clad advertisements in church, and especially after the whole janet jackson thing. My church hasn't allowed SuperB**l games in church for years. Though of course football is still the Official Sport of Baptists. Everyone knows God loves football.
Yknow, I was actually considering having people over for this SB since I am the only person I know with a high def tv, but after all this crap, screw it, I'm never watching the SB again. NFL can kiss my ASS.
Well any action that keeps people out of Church is a good thing. They suck you in with a taster like a free SuperBowl, and the next minute you believe in ghosts.
lol have you read the articles? First of all they charged to cover for FOOD. And after they recieved the letter they said they wouldnt charge anyone. The NFL then basically said too bad you cant do it. The church abided and canceled the showing. Its only after the NFL got all the bad press that they said it was ok to do it.
dont be ignorant, get all the facts before you open your mouth
Does this mean that if you do give at church the NFL gets the royality? They want a share of everything. In Chicago, the Park District which runs the stadium wanted to charge a small admission to watch the Superbowl on their big screen and all the money would go to charity. The NFL said no, because it might take away some of their viewers. Probably they wanted a cut.
Throw a hail marry!