The biblically-rooted phrase “Feed your flock” takes on an entirely new meaning in a controversial consumer-created commercial submitted to the Doritos-Pepsi MAX “Crash the Super Bowl” challenge. According to a PepsiCo press release, “Since Crash the Super Bowl began in 2007, consumer-created Doritos ads have consistently ranked within the top-five spots of the USA TODAY Ad Meter.” One of this year’s entries features a Catholic priest serving Doritos and Pepsi MAX to his parishioners in an attempt to boost waning attendance – a concept some see as harmless humor, but others, outrageously offensive.
The Metro Catholic-DFW Edition posted a call to the faithful on Sunday to reject the commercial through a petition, claiming it blasphemes the Holy Eucharist by replacing the traditional wafers representing the Body of Christ with Doritos, and the wine representing Christ’s blood with Pepsi. Oddly, as the Metro responded to what it called “mockery,” it showed its own lack of judgment by describing the scene with this: “Then weird looking people show up to receive the Holy Eucharist…” Surely, God does not call any of His marvelous creations “weird-looking.” Catholics, Protestants and others who find this or any ad offensive have the freedom to voice their opinion, but should do so in a Christlike manner in order to bring glory to our God.
While news of the dubious ad still spreads, the fact that it was “consumer-created” does not. Many are expressing fury over the ad, some vowing never to eat Doritos or drink Pepsi again. This is a ridiculous response given that the commercial was made for a contest by a consumer, not by the company. Furthermore, the ad did not make it to the finals and will not air during the Super Bowl nor garner its maker any of the cash awards.
Ten finalists were chosen from more than 5,600 submissions to compete to be one of six to air during the Super Bowl XLV broadcast, Feb. 6, on Fox. Beginning today through January 31, 2011, fans can vote for their favorite submissions, with the most-voted ads taking four of six PepsiCo spots that will air during the Super Bowl.
Ironically, what did make the top-ten list with little to no Christian response is a submission entitled “Adam and Eve,” seen below:
The “feed your flock” ad is not offensive because of who made it. It is offensive because it mocks the most sacred ritual of the Christian faith, the remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice for our atonement. You are right that we must faithfully represent Christ when we protest ads such as this but we must speak up. We only write letters, not death threats. Why would we be troubled by an ad that portrays Adam as NOT disobeying God?
I disagree with your premise that the ad portrays Adam as NOT disobeying God. It does not indicate Adam is wrestling with any decision regarding God’s directives. It merely shows that Adam prefers Doritos over an apple. It seems a harmless spoof on the Adam and Eve story, while it is in effect a rewrite of biblical truth. Yet most see this ad as cute, while they see the spoof on the modern day church’s serving of Doritos and Pepsi MAX as abominable. Both take liberties with the Word of God. So where do we draw the line on using the Bible as a basis for humor?
While not appropriate, at least this ad isn’t fraudulent like this is: http://texsquixtarblog.blogspot.com/