Chiefs Kicker Sparks Controversy With Antisemitic Remarks At Benedictine College Graduation
After straying into controversial ground with remarks deemed both sexist and antisemitic during his graduating speech at Benedictine College, kicker Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs became involved in controversy.
Butker’s address, given to the 20Butker’s speech was mostly addressed at the graduating women, advising them to put marriage and motherhood ahead of their career goals.
In his graduating speech, Butker stated, “I want to speak directly to you because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.”
24 graduating class, sparked intense criticism for spreading false information about legislation passed by Congress and making derogatory remarks about women’s roles.
Butker’s allusion to congressional legislation, on the other hand, set off a furor of criticism.
According to Butker, “Congress just passed a bill where you could get arrested for stating something as basic as the Biblical teaching of who killed Jesus.”
Butker presented the bill in question—which aims to limit antisemitic speech on college campuses—as an assault on religious freedom, drawing parallels to Catholic teaching.
The bill was opposed by conservative MPs who claimed it would make it illegal to interpret scripture in certain ways. Experts noted, however, that the bill had not become law and that it only affected university money, not specific people.
Religious and advocacy organizations swiftly denounced Butker for misinterpreting Catholic teachings and spreading antisemitic stereotypes.
Butker’s comments touched on the divisive topic of abortion in addition to religion.
According to him, “the pervasiveness of disorder is the root cause of things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, and a growing support for degenerative cultural values in the media.”
“Proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is foolish enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally,” he said, criticizing Joe Biden in particular for being a pro-choice advocate.
The controversy surrounding Butker’s speech emphasizes how politics, religion, and athletics are intertwined and how important it is for public leaders to influence public opinion.
Butker’s errors should serve as a lesson on the dangers of false information and the need of having an informed conversation in public as long as there are discussions about religious freedom and free speech.
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