Contact: Michele Combs, Christian Coalition of America, 202-549-6257, michele@cc.org

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian Coalition of America applauds the decision by National Football League (NFL) to allow churches and religious groups to continue to hold their Super Bowl parties with large-screen televisions, similar to those sports bars use and approved by the NFL.    Right before this year's Super Bowl, a number of churches around the United States cancelled their long-time Super Bowl parties because of supposed threats from the NFL.  There was a huge uproar from churches complaining that sports bars were able to show the Super Bowl game on large screens, but yet churches were not able to do so for church fellowship events. 

Christian Coalition of America took the lead late last year to ensure that Congress would not allow discrimination against churches when it comes to holding Super Bowl parties.  Roberta Combs, President of the Christian Coalition of America, said: "The NFL is to be congratulated for their decision to support church Super Bowl parties.  I also commend the work by Senator Orin Hatch, Democrat Congressman Heath Shuler and Republican Congressman Joseph Pitts in working with the NFL to ensure a favorable outcome for churches around America.  These church fellowship gatherings during Super Bowl Sunday are very important family events."

Here is an excerpt from the NFL new policy regarding churches being able to show the Super Bowl in their facilities:  "The National Football League this week announced that it will not object to live showings of future Super Bowls by religious organizations when such showings are free and on premises used by the religious organization on a routine and customary basis."