Miami -- Women’s groups are calling on CBS to can a TV commercial slated to run during next Sunday’s Super Bowl. The ad, paid for by Focus on the Family, features Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mom. Pam Tebow ignored her doctor’s advice to terminate her pregnancy with Tim.

Jehmu Greene, president of the Women’s Media Center, said, “An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year—an event designed to bring Americans together.”

Terry O’Neill, president of the National Organization of Women, said the ad was offensive because of its “superior” tone.

Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger insisted there’s “nothing political or controversial” about the ad. “We’re not selling anything,” he said. “We’re trying to celebrate families.”

Tebow, an outspoken Christian, knows some people won’t agree with the ad, but he said, “I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe.”

Sports columnist Kyle Koster said some of this negative “baggage” could prevent an NFL team from drafting Tebow. But Koster defends the quarterback’s freedom of speech. “If other ads can glorify promiscuity and drunkenness, why can’t the puritans have their chance to rebut?” he asks.

Sports columnist Gregg Doyel objected to the ad’s timing. For sports fans, he said, Super Sunday is “the holiest day of the year,” he said. “It’s not a day to discuss abortion.”

Sources: Associated Press, Chicago Sun-Times

Discussion Questions:

• What’s your reaction to this upcoming ad? Does it belong in the Super Bowl? Why or why not? Can you understand why people are so offended by it, or do you think they’re overreacting? Explain.

• Would you characterize the ad as life-affirming or divisive? Is it possible to celebrate life and families without giving people a lecture about abortion? Explain.

• Do you agree that the ad isn’t trying to sell anything? Will it likely change any people’s minds about abortion? Why or why not?

• How do you feel about Pam Tebow’s decision to not have an abortion when her health was at risk? What if the outcome hadn’t been positive? Would you be willing to take a similar stand if your life or the life of a loved one was at stake? Explain.

• Are you offended by ads featuring coarse humor, sex, and alcohol? Why do you think people accept those types of messages more readily than they do positive, values-oriented commercials?

• How do you feel about Tebow being so vocal about his faith? Do you agree it could hurt his career? How do you think he prioritizes football and faith? How can Tebow use his fame and talents to bring even more glory to God?

• What are some ways sports bring people together? What are some ways people worship sports?

• What’s your reaction to the statement that Super Sunday is the “holiest day of the year”? How would a life-affirming commercial interfere with the football celebration? Are there certain times when talk about God and morals should be off-limits? Why or why not?

• Are Christians being “superior” when they tell people about God or insist that Jesus is the only way to heaven? Why or why not? What are some ways you can share your faith without coming across as holier-than-thou?

Scripture links: Deuteronomy 30:19-20; Ezekiel 33:7-11; Acts 4:12; Romans 1:16-17; 1 Corinthians 10:14; and 1 Peter 3:13-17.

Stephanie Martin is a freelance writer and editor in Colorado.