I have no respect or love for the NFL and even less for the idolatry that it elicits from presumed Jesus followers. It pains me to see the cultural indoctrination of such idolatry in children.
Though I’m a long-time resident, I’m indifferent to the KC Chiefs, mostly for the reasons cited above. I’m not a fan of Travis Kelce or Patrick Mahomes, and I doubt I’ll ever wear their numbers or names (or anyone else’s) on any of my clothing. That’s a personal choice- no condemnation to those who partake in that multi-million dollar-a-year industry.
But Harrison Butker…
Based on his recent commencement speech, I became a fan of Harrison Butker, not as a kicker, but as a fellow man and as a man of faith. I don’t even share his Catholic doctrines, but I’m proud of him for standing up for the compromised beliefs of his church and for having the courage to address Catholic concerns in an open crowd of Catholic educators, clergy, families, and graduates. Someone tried to make the case that it’s a liberal arts college and not everyone in the audience is Catholic. So? That doesn’t change the fact that they chose to attend a CATHOLIC liberal arts college that invited a CATHOLIC to speak at commencement. Honestly, he makes some references to what appear to be specific examples that his audience is familiar with, of which I have no knowledge. I don’t have to share all of his beliefs (which I don’t) to support his right to believe them and state them confidently among those united under the Catholic tradition at a Catholic liberal arts college. Even if I did believe and support all of it, I may not have said everything quite how he said it, but I support his right to say it.
I am not Catholic and do not share his love for their doctrines, but I’m proud of him for calling out the church, the priesthood, and the laity based on their beliefs and values unified by their common catechism. I’m proud of him for calling out the hypocrisy of those politicians who say they also share the presumed common doctrines of the church. I’m proud of his conservative values. I’m proud of how he elevated the home. I’m proud of how he affirmed women who choose marriage and motherhood as a career. I’m proud of how he elevated his wife, who chose that career. I’m proud of him for being a role model of belief and worship of the one true God, conservative values, God-ordained marriage, and parenthood.
I’m also proud of Chiefs owner @TaviaHunt for supporting him and backing him up with her own tribute to marriage and motherhood of daughters.
I read and heard a lot of accusations that he was anti “this” and conveying hate speech toward “this” group. We weren’t listening to the same speech. None of us want someone putting words in our mouth. Just because I’m elevating my church for qualities that I appreciate and are meaningful to me, it doesn’t mean I hate other churches or that I hate people who don’t go to church. It just means I love my church and I’m proud of my people…in a holy way. Butker was simply elevating specific values that he believed in among an audience he thought my love and appreciate the same values.
People turned his positive accolades of something he appreciated into negative harassment against people or choices he never mentioned. I don’t share some of his Catholic standards, but I sure don’t think he was being “anti-protestant” simply because he was elevating centuries-old Catholic doctrines to an audience at a Catholic liberal arts college. Just because someone speaks positively or promotes a value they admire doesn’t mean that they are conveying hate toward those who don’t share those values. It doesn’t mean they are “anti” other values that other people might have. If I can’t speak highly of something I value, a product I like, a preference I have, or an act that I appreciate without someone taking offense because they have different preferences than me, communication is over in our culture. If I have to agree with you on everything, then one of us is not necessary. If this is who we are as a community, we’re in a world of hurt. People hear what they want to hear whether it’s being said or not.
If you’re interested, here’s his whole commencement address…not the snippets and sound bites being pulled from it, twisted and blasted.
Minimizing me...making much of Jesus 