{"id":7404,"date":"2024-05-18T08:38:27","date_gmt":"2024-05-18T15:38:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/?p=7404"},"modified":"2024-05-18T08:49:31","modified_gmt":"2024-05-18T15:49:31","slug":"major-petition-targets-harrison-butker-for-graduation-speech-dividing-public-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/major-petition-targets-harrison-butker-for-graduation-speech-dividing-public-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Petition Targets Harrison Butker for Graduation Speech, Dividing Public Opinion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker\u2019s recent commencement speech at Benedictine College has sparked significant controversy, with reactions ranging from fierce criticism to strong support, flooding social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Harrison Butker | Commencement Address 2024 | Benedictine College\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-JS7RIKSaCc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A petition calling for the Super Bowl champion\u2019s removal from the team is nearing its goal of 200,000 signatures. Meanwhile, many supporters are praising Butker, hailing him as a hero for his message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, let\u2019s delve into the widespread campaign to have Butker removed from the Chiefs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe harmful remarks made by Harrison Butker were unacceptable,\u201d states the Change.org petition. \u201cHis comments were sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion, and racist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Husband, Father, and Growth with Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Fh4Kf27gvXI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The petition continues, \u201cThese dehumanizing remarks against LGBTQ+ individuals, attacks on abortion rights, and racial discrimination perpetuate division and undermine human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With over 176,000 signatures so far, the petition claims Butker\u2019s comments reinforce \u201charmful stereotypes that threaten social progress\u201d and create a \u201ctoxic environment that hinders our collective efforts toward equality, diversity, and inclusion in society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As reported by CBN News, Butker\u2019s commencement address on Saturday has become the center of controversy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Butker criticized President Joe Biden for supporting what he called the \u201cmurder\u201d of the unborn and condemned \u201cdangerous gender ideologies,\u201d among other issues. He highlighted a perceived discrepancy between Biden\u2019s professed Catholic faith and his pro-choice stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues,\u201d Butker said. \u201cThings like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watch the full speech<a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/-JS7RIKSaCc\"> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Butker also claimed that President Biden\u2019s actions conflicted with Catholic teachings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Thank you <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/buttkicker7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@buttkicker7<\/a> for standing strong in your faith values.<br><br>Your commencement speech at Benedictine College showed courage and conviction and I admire that.<br><br>Don\u2019t give in.<br><br>Sign here to thank Super Bowl Champion Harrison Butker, a true man of God. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/lH5QcevY80\">https:\/\/t.co\/lH5QcevY80<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Lou Holtz (@CoachLouHoltz88) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CoachLouHoltz88\/status\/1791156933094732126?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 16, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Coach Lou Holtz Applauds Harrison Butker: Your Speech Showed \u201cCourage and Conviction\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LFI1pXbIXz\">https:\/\/t.co\/LFI1pXbIXz<\/a><\/p>&mdash; LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LifeNewsHQ\/status\/1791525654980170146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 17, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally,\u201d Butker said, referencing a recent rally where Biden did exactly that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Harrison Butker tipped over all the sacred cows &#8211; abortion, IVF\/surrogacy, anti-motherhood, anti-masculinity, etc &#8211; and instead promoted the enemies of our cultural rot: fatherhood, marriage, courage, purity, sacrifice, respecting the dignity of life. That\u2019s why people are\u2026<\/p>&mdash; Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/conservmillen\/status\/1791198491294716260?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">May 16, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>He continued, \u201cHe has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that it appears to many people that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Butker\u2019s remarks directed at female graduates also stirred controversy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTo the ladies present today: congratulations on an amazing accomplishment,\u201d Butker said. \u201cYou should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He added:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI want to speak directly to you, briefly, because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world. My beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and a mother. I am on this stage today because I have a wife who leans into her vocation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These statements, among others, have sparked both support and criticism, with the Change.org petition receiving the most attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The petition argues that comments like Butker\u2019s contribute to hate crimes and increased mental health issues among \u201ctargeted communities.\u201d It calls for \u201caccountability\u201d from role models like Butker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe call upon the Kansas City Chiefs management to dismiss Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate conduct,\u201d the petition reads, urging people to stand against \u201cdiscrimination.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The controversy over Butker\u2019s speech reached such a height that the National Football League (NFL) issued a statement distancing itself from his views.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHarrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,\u201d said Jonathan Beane, NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. \u201cHis views are not those of the NFL as an organization.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beane added, \u201cThe NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite the backlash and the petition, others, like legendary coach Lou Holtz, have defended and praised Butker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThank you \u2026 for standing strong in your faith values,\u201d Holtz wrote to Butker. \u201cYour commencement speech at Benedictine College showed courage and conviction, and I admire that. Don\u2019t give in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Holtz also shared a link to a website where fans can express appreciation for Butker\u2019s perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWith courage and clarity, Butker championed the timeless virtues of family, faith, and the sanctity of life,\u201d the proclamation reads. \u201cHis bold proclamation of a pro-family, pro-God, and pro-life worldview resonated deeply, reminding us of the enduring strength found in our foundational beliefs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See that statement here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some of the other responses from those who agreed with Butker\u2019s comments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, defended Butker in a Fox News interview, saying she respects him for \u201chis Christian faith and what he\u2019s accomplished on and off the field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI can only speak from my own experience, which is I had the most incredible mom who had the ability to stay home and be with us as kids growing up,\u201d Hunt said. \u201cAnd I understand that many women can\u2019t make that decision, but for me, it was formative in shaping me and my siblings into who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll need to stand with our brother in Christ and stand for righteousness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pastor Todd Coconato says, &#8220;This is a battle between light and darkness. What Butker said was absolutely true and there should be no issue in a nation that claims to have 60% of its population claim to be Christian. The cultural war that we are in is a spiritual battle and it&#8217;s time that we as the Body of Christ take a righteous stand for truth and biblical morality. I stand with Mr. Butker and highly condemn any organization that would even suggest for one second removing him from his position. He is a man of integrity and spoke as a free citizen based on his personal faith and beliefs. The Christian community must stand with this man and push back against the wickedness in this hour. I pray that every pastor shows solidarity this Sunday and speaks to the freedom of speech and religion that we enjoy as Americans. If we don&#8217;t, we will lose these rights. 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href='https:\/\/remnantnews.podbean.com\/e\/the-cross-confronted-it-all%E2%80%A6-and-the-blood-defeated-it-all-%E2%80%A2-friday-service\/'>The Cross Confronted It All\u2026 and the Blood Defeated It All \u2022 Friday Service<\/a><\/div><\/li><\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker\u2019s recent commencement speech at Benedictine College has sparked significant&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":151,"featured_media":7405,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7404","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-remnant-news"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857.jpg",1280,804,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-150x94.jpg",150,94,true],"medium":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-300x188.jpg",300,188,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-768x482.jpg",640,402,true],"large":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-1024x643.jpg",640,402,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857.jpg",1280,804,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857.jpg",1280,804,false],"covernews-slider-full":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-1115x715.jpg",1115,715,true],"covernews-slider-center":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-800x500.jpg",800,500,true],"covernews-featured":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-1024x643.jpg",1024,643,true],"covernews-medium":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-540x340.jpg",540,340,true],"covernews-medium-square":["https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/wp-content\/uploads\/IMG_1857-400x250.jpg",400,250,true]},"author_info":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/remnant.news\/hanews\/author\/admin\/"},"category_info":"<a 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