The Book of Daniel

[Free Range]

For those of you out there that are Christens and have heard of the new show coming out called the Book of Daniel. I would like to encourage you to send an e-mail your NBC station expressing your concern that they will be airing this show. I sent a e-mail to the president of channel 9 here in Denver and here was his response.

You wrote about the as yet un-aired new show, "The Book Of Daniel." It
premiers this Friday, January 6th. The show focuses on an Episcopal
priest working to advance the good news of Jesus Christ, trying to minister to his congregation, striving to deal with "church politics" with his Bishop and his church's Senior Warden, and at the same time deal with raising three children, each having personal "issues," He relies on the faith and support of his wife....and he also talks to Jesus (and actually sees him in this drama).
The show promises to be edgy and provocative, but it is also hoped that
It will portray this priest's great faith set against the everyday
Challenges that all of us (even ordained ministers) must face.
We would ask that you actually watch the show for a week or two and then lets us know what you think. We too will be watching this program
closely and will be in touch with our network, NBC, if we see serious
concerns develop. Again, thank you for taking the time to write to let
us know how you feel.

Mark

In other words they are going to air it, I would like to think if he gets enough e-mails he might reconsider. For those of you in Colorado the e-mail address is mark.cornetta@9news.com

[Cato]

I was also alarmed to hear of this program. As our liberal Holywood media often seems to want to do, it is purported to take a Christian who is experiencing failure in every part of his life, and portray him as the norm for a person of faith. It would be a continuation of an attack in this Country on Christianity, if it happens as it has been described to me.

Thankfully, the American Family Association (afa.net) mounted a response immediately. I received an email from them today indicating the network has backed off its plans to air the program.

I did go out to their web site, and so far, I do not see anything there about the program being pulled, but I believe it will show up shortly.

Thank you for putting us on notice. If any of you want to get connected to an organization that will keep you informed about attacks on our faith, go to their web site and sign up. There is no cost. You might want to consider onemilliondads.com as well, which is sponsored by them.

Cato

[Jim Pritchard]

As a lifelong Episcopalian and relatively normal human being, I am very much offended by what I have read about the program.I would be offended no matter which religion they had chosen to ridicule.
I'll try hard not to watch anything on the channel from now on.

:cussing:

[Cato]

I guess I misunderstood what I got by email. Apparently according to our local paper, several NBC affiliates have refused to air the program, but it appears NBC will air the program.

Another indication of how far our Country has gone downhill. A program depicting a Mulsim in a degrading manner would be pulled immediately.

Cato

[Jim Pritchard]

In theory, stations such as NBC make programming available to their affiliates.
The affiliates have the choice of whether to pick the programs up or not.
You need to go after the affiliates. They should be an easier target for our complaints.

[mwc]

Hey everyone,

Don't mean to be difficult, but I watched the show and didn't consider it particularly offensive. Yes, it may not portray life as I wish it were but it did give an image of what reality may look like. Life is full of struggle and the family in this story is right in the middle of it. Infact they seem to be doing there best to work through very real issues.

For what it's worth,

MWC

[Esquire]

I put alot of stock in Matt's opinion. Still, my friend, I would be on the watch for the old bait and switch. The reviews I read are very concerning to me. At the same time, they are not very surprising. Here is the meat of what concerns me - taken from plugged in online:

. . . In December, the Deseret Morning News in Salt Lake City anticipated (and railed against) criticism from what columnist Scott D. Pierce called "groups—and you know the kind I'm talking about—that won't like the portrayal of the clergy in The Book of Daniel." He continued, "They're going to point out that Daniel is hooked on prescription painkillers. His boss, [Bishop Congreve], wants him to share the painkillers with her. His father, another Episcopal bishop, is an uptight, hard-nosed guy who, as it turns out, is committing adultery."

Indeed. Groups are pointing out those things. And more. Daniel's eldest son is choosing to live a homosexual lifestyle—and Dad and Mom support his choice. His 16-year-old daughter sells marijuana. (They don't support that, but their live-in housekeeper does. She pays Grace for weed which she smokes to combat her diabetes symptoms.) And Daniel's other son, Adam, spends the majority of his time figuring out ways to get into the sack with his not-quite 16-year-old girlfriend. Dad's not keen on this, either, for the record. But he seems more concerned about Adam frightening the family by disappearing for hours on end than he is with promiscuity. Respect others' feelings, above all, is the message he drills into the boy.

Jesus Joins Him There

Since Daniel has such a direct line to "Jesus," who often appears to him out of thin air, the priest naturally asks for advice. What he gets in return are either platitudes or benevolent expressions of tolerance. What does Jesus say about Grace selling drugs? "She'll be fine, she's a good girl." About Adam's high school sexual romps? "He's a kid, let him be a kid." About Kevin sleeping with a girl because he's too nervous to tell her he's gay? "Kids, huh!?" That counsel is a long way from the holy compassion found in the Lord's instructions to the woman caught in adultery (in John 8): "Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin." So I'll sum up why the American Family Association—one of Pierce's "groups"—is trying to convince NBC affiliates not to open up The Book of Daniel. The series wants us to think of Jesus as a joke. More of a wimpy, severely seared conscience than a loving yet righteous God. It preaches that homosexuality is both genetically derived and socially proper. "It's time we stumbled into the 21st century," says Daniel. That sex before marriage should be assumed (Daniel certainly does during a premarital counseling session). And that pot is part of life—unless it's your daughter who's the one risking her future by dealing it. It also throws in sly quips about incest and masturbation, along with profanity (Jesus' name is abused), crude comments, sexual scenes and innuendo.

Mike

[mwc]

Hey guys,

I agree with many assessments of this show. It is definitely not scripture or even a good example of how life could be lived. And Jesus in the show does lack edge (offcourse so did George Burns as God or Jim Carey). However, to say that it is not a slice of life or several slices all in one place is also not true. The sins and struggles the characters in this little drama deal with are real and particularly offensive to the Christian community. But guys, we have our own and they are equally damaging, just less talked about. Do I want my kids watching this show........NO. Do I find it interesting and at times thought provoking......yes. All that said, I propably will not watch it because it really did lack something. I can also see a show like this, if not done well, becoming a real agenda pusher. I don't like that from any camp.

Good talking to you fellas

MWC

[Esquire]

Matt,

I hear what you are saying.

"I can also see a show like this, if not done well, becoming a real agenda pusher. I don't like that from any camp."

I can't imagine the show being anything but an agenda pusher, even if there are some slices of life sneaked in there.:)

And it is the agenda pushing that bothers me. I will turn off my TV for that reason. [to be honest, I almost never turn it on].

But the networks are not trying to entertain, with shows like this, they are trying to shape culture. Yes they make the show entertaining, they offer things that almost anyone can laugh at and appreciate in one way or another, but the main purpose is not entertainment. IMO.

And it saddens me that so many young people lack the moral insight or historical perspective or education to see these things through the sort of filter that you and I are able to apply.

Mike

[Cato]

In defense of the American Family Association, more or less, what they are saying is that Christians who are offended by this portrayal should let their voice be known by contacting sponsors of the program. That is what really has impact. I do not believe the AFA would support any kind of ban on the legal right of the network to produce the program (assuming it does not violate the FCC rules regarding indecent programing type stuff). However since many of us find the constant distortion of Christianity to be offensive, it is logical that those who are offended make their feelings known to the people who really put up the money for the program, and that would be the advertisers.

The networks seem to be indifferent to the feelings of Christians much of the time, and are more concerned about the message they want to advocate. But the advertisers who are trying to sell their products are not. Believe it or not, Christians still make up a significant market for them, and if we speak up, it can have impact. AFA has been successful in making it possible for Christians to collectively express their views in the past. It remains to be seen if it will impact this particular program.

Cato :)

[mwc]

Well said Larry. We all have the power at our finger tips.

Mike, it is unfortunate that many people do not see things with critical eyes and good disernment. We all need a good head on our shoulders to make it through.

MWC

[BLACK WOLF]

There are couple ways we can handle this.

1. Take a more passive approach and look away by just turning the channel or turning the tv off.

or

2. Take a more active approach and speak your mind to those in charge of programing AND turn the channel or turn the tv off.

If a show is going to try and portray Jesus...they should at least be truthful and accurate instead of portraing Him to push a selfish agenda or a distortion of the truth.

Ray ;)

[Free Range]

Larry H, with all due respect, “we” Americans do this all the time. To say one group “the majority” has no right to make decisions for the rest of the country is, well not looking at the reality of a democracy.
This, as long as it feels good, attitude was shown to be a complete failure in the 60’s and 70’s. We as a society should demand a cretin level of decency and truth in programs that are attempting to portray it. George Burns in Oh God was in no way attempting to portray any truth, it was a comedy, there is a difference.

“attempting to ban something from use or consumption by a whole country because it offends a particular segment of population or branch of government is something i'm not comfortable with.”

This is a bit in jest, but I guess you think those that want to use illegal drugs should be allowed. That our attempt to ban these substances is something you are not comfortable with.

Turning a blind eye to immoral and indecent behavior in the name of tolerance sounds good and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But standing up and saying “this is wrong” does not, it opens a person up to ridicule, but IMO this is a major problem in today’s society, to many warm and fuzzy types and not enough people that are willing to take a stand for righteousness.

[BLACK WOLF]

Well said Free Range!

Ray ;)

[Larry Hatfield]

free range, i deleted my two posts. if you got the message from them that i favor drugs or any other illegal act, then i would not know how to converse with you.

[Matt]

I am increasingly choosing to walk away from the TV all together. Life is more full without it and it's mainly just trash on anymore. It's getting harder and harder to be selective about what you watch.

[Cato]

Matt,

I guess I'm really getting old. Very few of the television programs appeal to me. The news is too depressing, and I don't trust the spin of the networks.

America's funniest videos is about the only thing I care for. I guess its not hard to laugh at ourselves.

Cato

[Free Range]

Larry, I did not get that from your post, I was just using an extreme to point out how we as a society regulate what people do all the time. This idea of a “free” society has been bastardized by the left to mean, do what you want with out consequence.

After all I did say it was meant a bit in jest.

[REM]

I heard on the radio this morning that NBC is pulling the show off the air. Apparently, several sponsors did not approve of the show and pulled their advertisments. Anyway, I'm glad its gone. :highfive:

[Free Range]

Good news indeed

[robk]

i have already sent them a lengthy mail stating my being upset over the tasteless show they call a comedy. i am usually one to take a back seat on these matters but this kind of put me on guard. i wrote them to that effect and told them of my displeasure
thanks for reminding me about that issue
rob k