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Does Neil Patrick Harris' Super Bowl ad mock Christianity and Tim Tebow?

Neil Patrick Harris and CBS are being slammed by conservative news website World Net Daily for pushing a 'gay agenda' and mocking Christianity and Tim Tebow in Super Bowl ad.
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Neil Patrick Harris Super Bowl ad. CREDIT: CBS
Neil Patrick Harris Super Bowl ad. CREDIT: CBS
Updated Jan. 8, 2013 at 1:12 PM
Published: Jan. 8, 2013 at 12:46 PM

As part of their usual event promotion efforts, CBS has been airing ads featuring celebrities to advertise the upcoming Super Bowl XLVIII, which they will air on Feb. 3, 2013.

So far, some of the photo ads CBS has ran feature singer Beyonce and actor Neil Patrick Harris wearing eye black printed with "Feb. 3 2013" (the date of the Super Bowl) on their faces, a trend also used by New York Jets quarterback, Tim Tebow, with Bible verses in his eye black.

Florida Gators MVP quarterback Tim Tebow looks up to his parents in the stands after winning the 2009 BCS National Championship game against the Oklahoma Sooners 24-14 in Miami on January 8, 2009. His eye black refers to a famous Christian bible passage "John 3:16", which reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." UPI/Larry Marano
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The airing of Beyonce's commercial sailed smoothly when it first came out in October, but when CBS debuted the Neil Patrick Harris one this Sunday, conservative new website World Net Daily felt the promotion mocked Christianity and pushed a gay agenda.

"CBS, the television network airing the big game this year, is now using an outspoken homosexual actor to mimic Tim Tebow’s style of trumpeting messages in eyeblack on his face," WND wrote. Adding that "Tim Tebow, known for his Christian faith as well as football, became world famous for proclaiming Bible verses such as John 3:16 on his eyeblack, especially when he played for the University of Florida Gators before going pro."

The conservative site also quoted a football fan who was offended by the connection made between Harris and Tebow and wrote, "They’re pushing a gay agenda by using him, and they’re mocking Christians at the same time.”

In addition to their article, WND is conducting a survey where they ask, "Is CBS mocking Tim Tebow and/or Christians in its Super Bowl ads?." As of now, the leading answer with 36% of the votes is, "Yes, and every effort should be made to boycott CBS and its advertisers."

In response, the light spirited Harris took no offense at the allegations and twitted about his love for football and the Super Bowl under a 'no agenda' hashtag.



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