NFL Allows Churches to Host Super Bowl Parties

Churches can now show the Super Bowl on big screens, the National Football League said this week.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a letter dated Tuesday the league would not object to "live showings – regardless of screen size – of the Super Bowl" by religious organizations, according to The Washington Post.

The letter was address to Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah).

Controversy arose when the NFL gave warning last year to an Indianapolis church not to hold a Super Bowl viewing party. Fall Creek Baptist Church had planned a gathering at church for about 100 young adults to watch the Super Bowl on a big screen and was going to charge admission to cover snack costs. It also promoted its Super Bowl party on the church Web site.

While the NFL allows churches to screen the big game, the Indianapolis church had violated the league's policy and copyright law which bans mass out-home viewing except at sports bars and other businesses that televise sports as part of their everyday operations, prohibits charging admission to watch the game, and restricts the TV screen to 55 inches.

Read more of this story on The Christian Post.