Editorial | Ban the Tebows' pro-life message? No way

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We often pride ourselves as an open-minded, liberated society. The ability to express our minds freely is a cherished right. Our Constitution guarantees our freedom of speech. In theory, no constraint is placed upon it. The truth, however, is that reality falls far short of promise

How else can we describe the outcry against the message Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam, seek to air Sunday during the Super Bowl on CBS? It is a message of truth, without deception or distortion; a testament to Our Lord's gift of life. When did "life" become the unutterable, unthinkable four-letter word, banned from the realm of free speech?

Though not a commercial or advertisement, the message is so treated. There is no commerce involved here; nothing is being advertised. The message is that human life is a precious gift of God; a celebration of Our Lord Himself. He looks upon all that He creates, and He finds it very good.

We give credit to CBS for bravely committing to this message. Networks have, in the past, rejected messages they deemed too controversial. Last year, NBC refused to air during the Super Bowl a televised message -- sponsored by Catholicvote.org -- with the theme: "Life. Imagine the Potential."

The background of the story is perhaps most interesting. While on a mission trip to the Philippines and pregnant with Tim, Pam was ill and advised by doctors to abort him for her own health's sake. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, she said no to abortion, yes to Our Lord and to life. In the self-sacrificing love of Christ Himself, she was willing to lay down her life for her child. In reward of her love and trust, we received that unique member of the Body of Christ which is Tim. The gift continues to unfold.

Their message, sponsored by Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family, does not sell, propagandize or brainwash; it does not politic or recruit. It merely gives witness, before the world, to the one Lord we share. They are telling the truth. How many of the other commercials or advertisements will be doing that?

Outrage over the message, though hardly surprising, is a devastating testament to our brokenness. We, a society that claims liberty and freedom, are witnessing a full-scale assault upon that freedom. We are sent the message that we are free to speak about whatever we want, just so long as we do not want to speak about the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death. Who needs a government to stifle free speech when the very society that empowers it is obsessed with ramrodding the job itself?

How can anyone object to the message theme: "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life"? Celebration is possible only insofar as we allow Our Lord to give us life. The degree to which we destroy life is the degree to which we prevent ourselves from being a people able to celebrate; a people truly alive.

Everyone watching the game, everyone who objects to the Tebows' message, was once just as vulnerable as Tim was. Each of us was conceived with that same, unlimited potential. All we needed was a chance to realize it. Each of us deserved that chance. Each of us was called by name by God, even before conception.

Our Lord has never punished anyone, nor has He ever made anyone a punishment for another. From even before our conception, He has showered us with unconditional love. He never been wrong for so doing. The only question is: Will we join with Him in being right, making certain that each child is conceived, received and treasured in His celebration of family?

God bless Pam Tebow for being right with God. She celebrates family; she celebrates Tim; she celebrates life.

"I have set before life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life ... (Deuteronomy 30:19)."

There is only one right choice. We must let our society know that we are going to make it and to make our voices heard.