Honestly, when I first heard about this story I didn’t get too worked up about it. But then I read the details and now I’m ticked, while reminding myself I’m a Christian and trying to remain calm.

I feel that all church events should be free, without any mandatory admission fees ever. (This includes weddings, funerals and anything else done by the church or in the name of spreading the gospel.) With Jesus, admission to the sermon on the mount was free, so all these preachers charging for events or to hear them speak really tick me off. Jesus gave food away, he didn’t charge a fee to cover costs. If people giving of their own free will minus a mandatory fee can’t cover the costs, then the event should not be held. In this case, the church opted to drop the fee, good for them, but they were still denied because the screen was too big.

Here’s some jabber from an NFL attorney:

…
NFL attorney Rachel Margolies wrote Newland. “While this may be a noble message, we are consistent in refusing the use of our game broadcasts in connection with events that promote a message, no matter the content.”

Bars and other businesses that operate as “24/7 365 days-per-year sports viewing establishments” are the only exception to the group-viewing rule, provided they don’t charge admission, she said.
…

The NFL claims bars are prohibited from charging a fee to watch the game, but bars will kick out anyone just holding a seat at their own discretion. Bar owners want people to buy something, especially booze, which is their most expensive and profitable item. So the draw of a crowd watching a big game is used by bars to MAKE MONEY.

Promoting booze and degradation of the body 24/7/365 with football is OK, but just one time promoting the uplifting of the soul through Jesus Christ along with enjoying a football game is not allowed by the NFL. Ridiculous!

So how should Christians respond? I guess we could say boycott the NFL, but we all know that won’t happen. We’re too weak to actually take such a strong stand in the name of Jesus, to turn down watching a game. That’s sad, but we know it’s true. I do think there is something Christians could do. First of all, Christians could stop drinking alcoholic beverages. Booze makers are big promoters of the NFL and Christians should leave that booze alone anyway. Christians should simply work to be more moral and the NFL would be hurt by that alone. I’m going to make one more additional recommendation, that requires a greater level of sacrifice from me personally, but I’m going to do it. I’m never going to buy DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket package ever again. (Unless there are some changes.) I had not purchased it since moving, but still kept my DirecTV box because I planned to possibly get it again maybe next season. But since the NFL wants to be like this towards churches, I’ll be one step closer to being able to turn down watching games, with less of them at my disposal. I think all Christians can and should put that money towards better use. I think ending NFL Sunday Ticket subscriptions is very doable for American Christians and will also send the NFL a strong message. Churches should be able to provide a moral environment for children to enjoy watching a game. And they should do it for free, without the NFL prompting them to make it free.

Hat tip to The Alliance Alert for the article.

Ian has more coverage at Hot Air.