The American Family Association is tele-thumping on The Book Of Daniel, the new show on NBC. It wants the show to be cancelled as it 'mocks Christianity'.
The story is of an Episcopalian priest with an alcoholic wife, a homosexual son, a daughter who is a pusher and a lesbian sister-in-law. To make matters worse, the priest's church is missing large sums of money and Jesus decides to mentor him like a magnanimous big brother. The AFA's feathers were ruffled not only by the storyline but by the scriptwriter's sexuality and disenchantment with the Catholic faith.
NBC and the mainstream media call it "edgy," "challenging" and "courageous." The series is written by Jack Kenny, a practicing homosexual who describes himself as being "in Catholic recovery," and is interested in Buddhist teachings about reincarnation and isn't sure exactly how he defines God and/or Jesus. "I don't necessarily know that all the myth surrounding him (Jesus) is true," he said.
The AFA is cutting off its nose to spite its face. The more the controversy over the show, the greater will be the ratings at the premiere. People will obviously want to know what the uproar is all about.
With shows like Will and Grace and South Park being part of mainstream television, why would the Book Of Daniel be treated any differently by the public?
The AFA has jumped the gun. It should have waited for the airing of the first episode and then launched the attack. It is wise to know one's enemy's weaknesses before declaring war and this is one battle these prickly so-called Christians are sure to lose. The show might well turn out to be a damp squib, like many sitcoms these days. Its potential failure would likely have little to do with its irreligous themes.
What's even more amusing is the statement that Jack Kenny, the scriptwriter, is a practicing homosexual, as if one's sexuality is a matter of choice or a disease that can be easily avoided.
For the AFA, The Book of Daniel seems to be the anti-thesis of Seventh Heaven, a show so boring that it meets its approval in all respects.
NBC has called the show challenging and courageous because it is a reflection on current problems faced by families with a slight twist that the 'head of the family is a priest and talks to the son of God'.
Would the AFA be offended if there was a show on a priest molesting small boys on Church retreats? Would telling the truth then mock Christianity?
The Book Of Daniel, featuring Emmy nominee Aidan Quinn, airs on Friday at 9 PM EST on NBC.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Joanie
I'm looking forward to this show. I knew it would draw criticism from the "watchdogs", but the promos are delightfully quirky and, of course, there's that whole Aidan Quinn thing.
The network won't bow to pressure to not air it, but they may change the timeslot.
2 - Aaman
Believe in Jesus - we'll pay you $75
That's a Google Ad showing here.
You Bastards! You Killed Kenny!
Innovative story-making - can't wait to record it onto the fickle DVR!
Great post, SP
3 - swingingpuss
If this show takes off then NBC will be at par with HBO, me thinks.
Thanks for reading Joanie and Aaman
4 - Brent McKee
The funny thing of course is that groups like the AFA and the PTC were trumpeting The Book Of Daniel as a "sign" that the networks were going to be more family oriented (by which of course they meant Christian family oriented) because of the pressure the American public (or their self-appointed guardians the AFA and the PTC) were bringing to bear.
Boy were they wrong.
5 - Natalie Davis
I hope the show is of high quality and turns out to be a big hit.
Anyone remember another controversial TV show about a priest? It was called "nothing Sacred" and ran on ABC nearly a decade ago. Lasted less than a season. VERY high-quality, but the Catholic League and other fundie windbags started in on the show even before it aired and scare viewers away. I hope the AFA bid fails. And maybe someone will find the cojones to release NS on DVD...
6 - Natalie Davis
Oops, scared.
7 - swingingpuss
Sacred sounded far more scandalous;)
8 - Aaman
The Daniel Wars have begun - an NBC affiliate, WTWO in Indiana has rejected the show
Apparently sponsorship is also an issue
9 - Natalie Davis
Mr./Ms. Swingingpuss, the show *was* called "Nothing Sacred. I was correcting "scare," which should have been in past tense. My computer is a piece of crap, so sometimes I will hit a key and the requested letter won't register.
10 - swingingpuss
Ms Davis, thanks for explaining your correction.
I know how frustrating computers can be. At some point we tend to think of them as extensions of ourselves and get mad when they act like machines.:)
BTW please call me SP
11 - deekay
Good post - too bad the AFA gets any publicity at all, but I hope it will generate more interest in Daniel, anyway. It's not a good sign that NBC has already cut the episode order, but I've got high hopes for a good show, and that enough people will tune in to bring back their faith in it.
12 - Jake
Let the AFA rant away. Those of us in the Episcopal Church don't mind the free publicity!
The product placement in the show isn't a bad deal either.
13 - Joanie
I'm glad to see that only an affiliate has bowed to pressure from the AFA so far. Again, I predict that the network will stand strong.
14 - swingingpuss
I'm thinking of doing a live post on the show but then I feel that it might be unfair to those following the Pacific Time.
15 - Aaman
SP, your attention to reporting etiquette is stunningly perspicacious
16 - tom
homosexuality is a sin (romans 1:24-32; 1 corinthians 6:9-10). if i didn't love the souls of these people, i wouldn't say anything. this behavior can and must be overcome (1 corinthians 10:13) if these people want to go to heaven. "have i therefore become your enemy because i tell you the truth?" (galatians 4:16) that is what i believe the bible says about this matter. the Lord has made us as free moral agents, free to choose which paths we will take. that being said, i believe the bible says if we choose the wrong path, there will be consequences. i speak because my Lord would not have me sit by and listen and watch such debauchery without saying something. thank you.
17 - gonzo marx
well now...here is a very interesting conundrum...
tom sez...
*i speak because my Lord would not have me sit by and listen and watch such debauchery without saying something.*
instead of being harsh on folks because of what some HUMAN wrote a long time ago...why not heed smoething quoted from the Teacher you proclaim to follow in a more direct manner?
to wit :"Judge not, lest ye be Judged"
just a Thought
Excelsior!
18 - Natalie Davis
Yeah! Much better response than what I was thinking.
19 - gonzo marx
my Pleasure Ms Davis....and to the infamous swingingpuss...nice Post, thanks for bringing it to my attention...as a fan of HBO series ( Deadwood, Rome, Carnivale) i will be certain to check this out due to your reccomendation
as for folks like tom above...i just get irked with the Hubris of some who spout off as if they Know what their "Lord" wants but can't seem to grasp the simplicity of what he is Quoted as actually stating, but woudl rather live dogmatically based on the writings of Men who lived long after Yeshua's death and claimed to be "Inspired"
but i digress...
Excelsior!
20 - swingingpuss
I rather believe in the compassionate Jojo - he loves us all- homosexuals and pagans alike ;)
21 - Andy Marsh
Do you suppose those that are against this type of programming realise that their screaming against it only makes A-holes like me want to watch it?
I only went to see Wholly Moses back in the day because there were protestors outside the theater! It's free advertising for the show! SAme thing for The Passion, I only went to see it to find out what all the commotion was about...although, I have never seen a Michael Moore movie...so...I guess it doesn't always work!
Thanks swingingpuss...nice article!
22 - gonzo marx
to swingingpuss....
it's JuJu...but he Forgives ya the typo
however, an elephant never forgets...
Excelsior!
23 - swingingpuss
Gonzo, the disciple begs forgiveness from the sublime JuJu.
Andy, the show would probably have escaped my radar if it hadn't been for the AFA.
24 - Andy Marsh
swingingpuss - it is ironic, but as my german friends would tell me, I MUST watch this program! if only because the AFA tells me I shouldn't!
25 - tom
matthew 7:31 - "Judge not, that you be not judged" - i believe this scripture means that we cannot be hypocritical - if we use a standard to judge by, we better be ready to be judged by that same standard - i believe that standard to be the bible and i believe that is what Christ will use to judge us all in the judgement day -Christ also says in John 7:24 to "judge with righteous judgement.".
Christ loves us all, homosexuals, pagans, etc. but He expects us to do what He says. He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Repentance is defined as the act of repenting; the state of being penitent, contrition for sin; such sorrow for past conduct as produces a new life.
We are all sinners (Romans 3:23) - we must all come to repentance - because 2 Peter 3:10 says the day of the Lord is coming as a thief in the night.
And if we love the Lord, we will do His commandments (John 14:15).
And I do believe the bible to be the inspired Word of God. I Peter 1:20-21 says "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." And 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
i appreciate your responses - good give and take
tom