Idols

Hyundai aired a commercial during the World Cup Soccer match between the USA and England that has cause a major uproar...understandably so. I would show it to you but the video is no longer available. The main premise was "All over the world, soccer is almost a religion... but for the members of one church in Argentina, it actually is."

The ad depicts the ceremony of a “church” called "Iglesia Maradoniana" founded in Rosario, Argentina. The “church” was established in the spirit of both honoring Diego Armando Maradona -Argentina's top soccer player and current coach of its national team- as well as mocking the Catholic Church.

“We got enough of an outcry that we think we missed the mark,” a Hyundai spokesman told the Daily Finance. “So we're going to do the right thing and pull it down.”
In a statement, the Korean company said: “The unexpected response created by the ad, which combined both soccer and religious motifs to speak to the passion of international soccer fans, prompted us to take a more critical and informed look at the spot. Though unintentional, we now see it was insensitive. We appreciate this feedback and sincerely apologize to those we've offended.”

Did you notice those two words? “Though unintentional”...I cannot profess to know the heart of another but even to those who do not follow the Catholic faith, this is pushing the limits. I've always been told that God has big shoulders and He can take criticism...but I cannot help but believe He wants us to step up and question those who feel they have the right to criticise.

I am always trying to find new and different ways to teach our young people about the “idols” in our lives. While they do grasp the concept, I just couldn't let this opportunity pass...If we take a sport this seriously, it is an IDOL just as much as any carved statute in biblical times.

Watch and enjoy the games but remember they are just that...games. How do they improve the world?