Thalt Shall Not Steal

Lisa · Post by **Lisa** » 2007-02-09 11:54pm

I got this from www.thisistrue.com newsletter

This is True wrote:THOU SHALT NOT: The Fall Creek Baptist Church in Indianapolis, Ind.,
announced plans to set up a video projector to show the Super Bowl to
attract parishioners to church on Sunday instead of staying home to
watch the game. Super Bowl Fever was strong in Indianapolis, thanks to
the home team being in the game to smite thy enemies, the Chicago
Bears. But the National Football League spotted the announcement on the
church's web site, and sent a letter demanding they cancel the showing
since per copyright law, the game may only be shown on one TV per
location, and the screen must be limited to 55 inches. "We have
contracts with our [TV] networks to provide free over-the-air
television for people at home," said NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. "Out-
of-home viewing is not measured by Nielsen," and therefore cannot be
measured for ratings purposes. The NFL exempts bars from the rule, but
said it won't extend that to churches. Fall Creek Baptist pastor John
Newland said he'd respect the NFL's copyright, but many other churches
vowed to hold similar events despite the NFL's legal stance.
(Indianapolis Star) ...Right -- that pesky Commandment against stealing
is surely optional.

This is True looks for true but odd stories and adds a tagline onto each one (free)

Medic · Post by **Medic** » 2007-02-10 12:13am

Let me finish that thought for you:

This is True is a weekly syndicated newspaper column by Colorado humorist Randy Cassingham. True reports on bizarre-but-true news items from legitimate newspapers from around the world (never "tabloids"). Each story ends with commentary by Randy -- a tagline which is humorous, ironic or opinionated. An online pioneer, True has been publishing online weekly since June 1994. You too can have such true stories of human weirdness sent to you once each week by e-mail for free.

oh, and

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Tsyroc · Post by **Tsyroc** » 2007-02-10 09:56am

How do they figure the Nielson's thing matters anyway. I don't know anyone who has a Nielson box so who gives a fuck where they do or don't watch the Super Bowl?

I also think it's funny that the size of the TV screen makes a difference too.

The other part that's amusing is that the NFL provides it for free. Really? Then what are all those commericals I have to sit through? I mean if I didn't have to pay anything or sit through commericals then it would be free. People watching it in a large group are going to be influenced (or not) by the commercials just as much as people sitting home alone.

andrewgpaul · Post by **andrewgpaul** » 2007-02-10 11:49am

55 inch screens are the maximum? How does that work? You can get plasma screens over 60" these days. are the NFL gonna come to your house and take away your TV?

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2007-02-10 02:25pm

Most churches have similar social events, they're good fun for the most part. And yeah, I watched the superbowl on a 60-inch plasma, I must be a thief.

Its not like the church collected admission.

Molyneux · Post by **Molyneux** » 2007-02-10 03:47pm

andrewgpaul wrote:55 inch screens are the maximum? How does that work? You can get plasma screens over 60" these days. are the NFL gonna come to your house and take away your TV?

This would be what's known as "bullshit" on the part of the NFL and TV stations.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2007-02-21 08:04am

The Church's Side of the Story. Can't seem to find the NFL's side.

I'll echo the Wookie on this one, if they're not charging admission then the size of the screen or audience shouldn't mean dick or squat. If the NFL had a problem with it then they shouldn't broadcast it over the airwaves. It's hard to steal something when the owner is dumping it in your lap for free.

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2007-02-21 12:13pm

They may not OFFICIALLY charge admission but there aren't that many churches out there that don't take up SOME kind of collection at a given Sunday meeting. How many services have people been to where they DIDN'T pass the plate?

CaptainChewbacca · Post by **CaptainChewbacca** » 2007-02-21 12:18pm

Darth Servo wrote:They may not OFFICIALLY charge admission but there aren't that many churches out there that don't take up SOME kind of collection at a given Sunday meeting. How many services have people been to where they DIDN'T pass the plate?

Good Lord, you think they're passing the offering plate while watching the Superbowl? At BEST you kick in $5 to cover the pizza/soda/man food. Churches don't make any money off these sorts of gatherings, they're just fun to do.

Isolder74 · Post by **Isolder74** » 2007-02-21 12:42pm

in that case I broke this rule in my TV projector room this year, and last year, when we have buddies over to watch the game.

Of course this is all just to sell more tv's. Ratings are tracked by a select group of peole with rating boxes on their tv's who are sampled to get an average of veiwership. I'd admit that if 20 people meet in cultural hall of a church that's 20 tv's that wouldn't be on. 20 pizza's that might not be bought ans 20 plates of hot wings not purchased....unless they church has all delivered of course.

To tell you the truth many churches don't like these sort of events on Sunday anyway.

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2007-02-21 04:46pm

CaptainChewbacca wrote:Good Lord, you think they're passing the offering plate while watching the Superbowl?

I wouldn't be surprised.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2007-02-21 05:34pm

Darth Servo wrote:
CaptainChewbacca wrote:Good Lord, you think they're passing the offering plate while watching the Superbowl?
I wouldn't be surprised.

I'd be, and I'm a former Southern Baptist when experiences at multiple churches over many years. The plate gets passed around at the formal services, and that's it.

Solauren · Post by **Solauren** » 2007-02-21 05:57pm

If you want to fight Fundamentalism, expand Hate crime laws to include motivations to suppress the rights of, or prevent the obtaining of rights by, minorities, that are enjoyed by the majorities. Also expand it to include not attempting to force your beliefs on others.

Utsanomiko · Post by **Utsanomiko** » 2007-02-21 06:11pm

Looks like the two largest religions in the US south, midwest, and east-central have finally combined, redoubling their hold on Americans.

Dire straits here on out, folks.

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2007-02-21 06:46pm

Wicked Pilot wrote:
Darth Servo wrote:
CaptainChewbacca wrote:Good Lord, you think they're passing the offering plate while watching the Superbowl?
I wouldn't be surprised.
I'd be, and I'm a former Southern Baptist when experiences at multiple churches over many years. The plate gets passed around at the formal services, and that's it.

OK. My experience was more from the holy rollers who don't really distinguish between "formal services" and Christian rock concerts and picknicks.

apocolypse · Post by **apocolypse** » 2007-02-22 09:20am

andrewgpaul wrote:55 inch screens are the maximum? How does that work? You can get plasma screens over 60" these days. are the NFL gonna come to your house and take away your TV?

I was wondering the same thing myself. Plus, how the hell do you enforce the "one TV per location" bit?