Harrison Butker is a kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, apparently they won a “thingy” earlier this year, and Butker is well-known for his traditional Catholic beliefs.
Both parents are homemakers. Being a good father or mother is one of the most important callings one could have, male or female. He simplified a very complex issue
Lovely response! Watching conservatives defend Butker is as entertaining to watch as those who lost their minds over it.
He meant well but he wasn’t careful with his words. Butker is thrusted into the middle of a culture war that’s being stoked by either side. Suffering from a lack of perspective doesn’t make him a villain nor does it absolve him of not being too precise with his words. Both sides do need to chill out.
Honestly, I think you’re cutting him too much slack. I say that as a wife and mother who mostly stayed at home and raised/homeschooled 3 children. Butker has not been “thrust” into a culture war; he has chosen to participate of his own volition. By his own admission, he is not wise. He mentioned “staying in one’s lane” several times, yet excused his own (unacknowledged) stepping-out by the fact that he has a so-called platform. It is too bad he does not have a mentor who could advise him not to offer a legalistic prescription for life in Christ from the “pulpit” of a commencement lectern!
Maybe...I don't know him well enough to make too much of a statement. I've not heard of him until a few days ago with all the hoopla he caused. When I listened to his speech I couldn't tell if he was patronizing or misguided. Either way, it's a shame that it's being weaponized by many to fight a culture war that doesn't need fighting.
I agree about the weaponization. But unfortunately, he has inserted himself into that war and stirred things up. I listened carefully to his speech. He claims he is saying the hard things that need to be said, because so many priests and other Catholic leaders don’t. That’s a very bold thing for someone who speaks of staying in one’s own lane to say! He’s definitely misguided, but he’s not even following his own advice.
I have some thoughts about this. It's OK for a parent to be a stay at home parent if that's their choice. It's also OK for parents to work and use childcare. I was home for a period of time when my children were little. However having said that, I also lost myself in the 24/7 care of little ones. It was exhausting. I came to the point in my life that I wanted more than that. I felt that I needed to contribute my own gifts to the world too. What I ardently object to is a person, spiritual leader or society telling women, they must be stay at home moms and they if they do they will find fulfillment. It's anyone may, not everyone must. Finally, there are families that require both parents working just to feed and clothe their kids. This notion of being a stay at home mom is mainly a white family value. Most minorities and immigrants have to have the income from two people just to survive.
Thank you for the thoughtful response. As a working mom who loves my children dearly and felt called to leave my legal career to work in ministry I do my best to balance both callings and believe both are invitations to join Gods work in the world. This was beautifully written.
Your points are well taken. However, as an American Christian, here’s the rub. Back in 2016, San Francisco Quarterback, Colin Kapernick was allowed to pull his BLM antics, during season games on the field. The NFL was shamefully silent about this. Yet, fast forward to 2024 and Harrison Butker, during the offseason, on his own time speaks at a Commencement and the NFL publicly distances itself and basically condemns his remarks. I see a double-standard. Some call it hypocrisy.
That's not necessarily correct. The NFL commissioner back in 2016 said publicly that he did not agree with Colin Kaepernick's remarks, and the end result of his protests was to essentially be blackballed from the NFL.
Goodell’s comments, according to NFL Network, were as follows:
"Well my personal thoughts are... I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don't live in a perfect society. We live in an imperfect society. On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I personally believe very strongly in that. I think it's important to have respect for our country, for our flag, for the people who make our country better; for law enforcement, and for our military who are out fighting for our freedoms and our ideals.
"These are all important things for us, and that moment is a very important moment. So, I don't necessarily agree with what he is doing. We encourage our players to be respectful in that time and I like to think of it as a moment where we can unite as a country. And that's what we need more, and that's what I think football does - it unites our country. So I would like to see us focusing on our similarities and trying to bring people together.
"Players have a platform, and it's his right to do that. We encourage them to be respectful and it's important for them to do that.
"I think it's important if they see things they want to change in society, and clearly we have things that can get better in society, and we should get better. But we have to choose respectful ways of doing that so that we can achieve the outcomes we ultimately want and do it with the values and ideals that make our country great."
“They won a ‘thingy.’” Brother, if we lived close I think we’d be best friends. I was born and raised in Alabama (a state so passionate about football it’s no overstatement to call it idolatry), and to this day I’ve never watched a game. I must pretend to know what the bros are talking about when football comes up. I have found if you throw in a “they gave it 110%,” a “there’s no ‘I’ in team,” or “that ref was blind!” They think you are one of them. Your words on this, as usual, are spot on. Thanks so much for giving your perspective from down under.
Both parents are homemakers. Being a good father or mother is one of the most important callings one could have, male or female. He simplified a very complex issue
What an amazing response and understanding and uplifting of all women whatever role God has called them to in society!
Lovely response! Watching conservatives defend Butker is as entertaining to watch as those who lost their minds over it.
He meant well but he wasn’t careful with his words. Butker is thrusted into the middle of a culture war that’s being stoked by either side. Suffering from a lack of perspective doesn’t make him a villain nor does it absolve him of not being too precise with his words. Both sides do need to chill out.
I agree Brian.
Honestly, I think you’re cutting him too much slack. I say that as a wife and mother who mostly stayed at home and raised/homeschooled 3 children. Butker has not been “thrust” into a culture war; he has chosen to participate of his own volition. By his own admission, he is not wise. He mentioned “staying in one’s lane” several times, yet excused his own (unacknowledged) stepping-out by the fact that he has a so-called platform. It is too bad he does not have a mentor who could advise him not to offer a legalistic prescription for life in Christ from the “pulpit” of a commencement lectern!
I wanted to give the guy the benefit of the doubt even while pointing out his erroneous and unhelpful statements.
Maybe...I don't know him well enough to make too much of a statement. I've not heard of him until a few days ago with all the hoopla he caused. When I listened to his speech I couldn't tell if he was patronizing or misguided. Either way, it's a shame that it's being weaponized by many to fight a culture war that doesn't need fighting.
I agree about the weaponization. But unfortunately, he has inserted himself into that war and stirred things up. I listened carefully to his speech. He claims he is saying the hard things that need to be said, because so many priests and other Catholic leaders don’t. That’s a very bold thing for someone who speaks of staying in one’s own lane to say! He’s definitely misguided, but he’s not even following his own advice.
I have some thoughts about this. It's OK for a parent to be a stay at home parent if that's their choice. It's also OK for parents to work and use childcare. I was home for a period of time when my children were little. However having said that, I also lost myself in the 24/7 care of little ones. It was exhausting. I came to the point in my life that I wanted more than that. I felt that I needed to contribute my own gifts to the world too. What I ardently object to is a person, spiritual leader or society telling women, they must be stay at home moms and they if they do they will find fulfillment. It's anyone may, not everyone must. Finally, there are families that require both parents working just to feed and clothe their kids. This notion of being a stay at home mom is mainly a white family value. Most minorities and immigrants have to have the income from two people just to survive.
Another excellent piece of pastoral commentary from you, Mike. Thank you for your insights.
Thanks Evan!
Thank you for the thoughtful response. As a working mom who loves my children dearly and felt called to leave my legal career to work in ministry I do my best to balance both callings and believe both are invitations to join Gods work in the world. This was beautifully written.
Thanks Katie, I'm doing my best to speak the truth in love.
Yep.
Hello Michael,
Your points are well taken. However, as an American Christian, here’s the rub. Back in 2016, San Francisco Quarterback, Colin Kapernick was allowed to pull his BLM antics, during season games on the field. The NFL was shamefully silent about this. Yet, fast forward to 2024 and Harrison Butker, during the offseason, on his own time speaks at a Commencement and the NFL publicly distances itself and basically condemns his remarks. I see a double-standard. Some call it hypocrisy.
That's not necessarily correct. The NFL commissioner back in 2016 said publicly that he did not agree with Colin Kaepernick's remarks, and the end result of his protests was to essentially be blackballed from the NFL.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/09/07/goodell-doesnt-agree-with-kaepernicks-actions/89958636/
=======================
Goodell’s comments, according to NFL Network, were as follows:
"Well my personal thoughts are... I support our players when they want to see change in society, and we don't live in a perfect society. We live in an imperfect society. On the other hand, we believe very strongly in patriotism in the NFL. I personally believe very strongly in that. I think it's important to have respect for our country, for our flag, for the people who make our country better; for law enforcement, and for our military who are out fighting for our freedoms and our ideals.
"These are all important things for us, and that moment is a very important moment. So, I don't necessarily agree with what he is doing. We encourage our players to be respectful in that time and I like to think of it as a moment where we can unite as a country. And that's what we need more, and that's what I think football does - it unites our country. So I would like to see us focusing on our similarities and trying to bring people together.
"Players have a platform, and it's his right to do that. We encourage them to be respectful and it's important for them to do that.
"I think it's important if they see things they want to change in society, and clearly we have things that can get better in society, and we should get better. But we have to choose respectful ways of doing that so that we can achieve the outcomes we ultimately want and do it with the values and ideals that make our country great."
“They won a ‘thingy.’” Brother, if we lived close I think we’d be best friends. I was born and raised in Alabama (a state so passionate about football it’s no overstatement to call it idolatry), and to this day I’ve never watched a game. I must pretend to know what the bros are talking about when football comes up. I have found if you throw in a “they gave it 110%,” a “there’s no ‘I’ in team,” or “that ref was blind!” They think you are one of them. Your words on this, as usual, are spot on. Thanks so much for giving your perspective from down under.
Brad, then I've probably watched more NFL than you have!