I’ve heard several complaints about the Half Time Show of the Super Bowl. I’m a bit confused by it though.
First, let me be honest – I watched a total of about two minutes of the Super Bowl. It was at the end of the first half. We watched part of the Half Time Show – probably about half of it. Enough to know what happened. And enough to be left confused by the complaints.
Was there a limited amount of clothing? Sure. Just like past Half Time Shows – nothing special about this one. Last year the singer was shirtless. Was the dancing sensual? Sure. I’m pretty sure past ones were too.
But really, we’re going to be upset about a Half Time Show as if that is the main problem? I’m sorry, I just don’t get it. And I don’t have the energy to be upset.
I don’t get the Puritanism. I don’t get it when we spend more and more every year in our nation on movies that are for more sexual in nature and we brag about going to these movies. We spend more money, as a nation, on porn than most other things. But we think the Half Time Show is the problem?
I don’t get it when we are upset about a Half Time Show, but ignore the human trafficking that goes on all around the city hosting the Super Bowl. Or that the game generated around $1 Billion in revenue – what will that money be used for? Or that there is a ton of gluttony that happens across the US in relation to this game. Or that there’s a great deal of violence that happens in the game – football is just a violent game. Or any number of other things that we could be upset about.
Instead, it sounds more like we’re upset because we couldn’t possibly get away with wearing the same outfits and look good, or do the athletic moves that occurred. So they must be a sin. And we must be innocent.
There are plenty of injustices that exist in the world for us to be upset about. Things that we should get upset about – upset enough to actually start to act to put an end to them. The Half Time Show isn’t one of them. It’s more like looking for something to complain about and feeling like we did something, because we complained.
I’m sorry, but I just don’t get it. It’s just not that important. If what you saw bothered you that much, do something to empower women. Work to pass legislation that will protect women from violence. Don’t just complain, go and do something to build people up.
Laced up Lutheran 
Pingback: Being Offended — Laced up Lutheran | Talmidimblogging
I left the room halfway through and cleaned up the kitchen. I was only half heartedly watching the game while working on things. I remember years ago that Justin Timberlake pulled down the top of Janet Jackson’s dress, exposing her breast. That’s when I decided it wasn’t worth my time but made me sad at the same time. So many young people exposed to the objectification of women and hear tacit approval from those watching. Uuuugh! It disgusts me, but I’ve only done minimal actions towards stopping trafficking and exploitation of women, so I am guilty.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The world is full of atrocities, sinful people doing sinful things: human trafficking, seductive dancing, violence, hate, and the list goes on…I totally agree here. Great post.
Christians burn much of their time being offended, not that the activities aren’t sinful – it’s just being offended isn’t the answer. Sinners need the hope of the Gospel and we forget that’s what changed our lives.
1 Cor 6:9-11 – Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
LikeLiked by 1 person
How many men who were offended watched all of it instead of turning it off?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most of the people offended seem to have no cultural reference points but their own. That show was full of extremely well choreographed cultural salutes and meaning, from Shakira’s Lebanese roots to Lopez’s and Miami’s LatinX culture.
Sometimes it is not what you see that is sinful, it is how you see it. Moreover, it was beautiful and joyful – far more so than many of the people who are demonizing the performance and performers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Difficult to see other cultural reference points when someone never has contact with other cultures.
LikeLike