Book of Daniel Continues to Spark Criticism and Reaction
by Allie Martin
January 6, 2006
(AgapePress) - - An official with the American Family Association says concerns about possible anti-Christian messages in a new NBC series are warranted.
The hour-long drama The Book of Daniel, scheduled to kick off this evening (Friday, Jan. 6), is touted by the network as edgy" and "challenging." Critics, however, disagree -- some saying it "mocks" Christianity, others saying that it deals with religious subjects in an offensive manner. The show's main characters include Daniel Webster, who is a drug-addicted Episcopal priest, as well as his alcoholic wife, his homosexual son, his drug-dealing daughter, and his lesbian secretary, who has a romantic relationship with his sister-in-law.
Also, there is Daniel's Chinese adopted teenage son who is dating a female bishop's daughter, and -- perhaps the most controversial character of all -- a white-robed, long-haired and bearded "Jesus" who appears to Daniel and holds discussions with him, often openly challenging contemporary interpretations of church teachings.
While the Los Angeles Times reports that some Episcopal priests say the program "offers a refreshingly candid portrayal" of religious leaders and are encouraging their church congregations to watch the program, one pro-family researcher who was among a group of clergy invited to screen several episodes of the program earlier this week at the NBC affiliate in Memphis sees few positives.
Ed Vitagliano, director of research for the American Family Association and news editor of AFA Journal, says concerns about the series, which he says mocks Christianity, were not unfounded.
Ed Vitagliano | |
"The show is written by a non-Christian, but it's written about Christians that people are not going to recognize," says Vitagliano. "I don't know anybody this dysfunctional in my over 20 years of ministry." In addition, says the researcher, viewers are going to be watching a show with a "Jesus" character in it that they are not going to recognize from scripture. "So we're kind of befuddled that NBC has decided to air a program about Christians and Christianity -- and they didn't even care enough to have a Christian write it," he says.
In an interview with the LA Times, Vitagliano acknowledged that while Christians -- "even ministers" -- do indeed have difficulties in life, The Book of Daniel is "not a realistic portrayal of a minister's life. This was so far beyond the pale, it was almost a comic strip version."
The researcher is encouraging concerned adults to view the inaugural episode -- then contact local advertisers, respectfully requesting that they rethink their sponsorship of the program. "Perhaps watch one episode this Friday, maybe to find some of the local advertisers who are putting this on knowing that it's going to be offensive to a lot of Christians," he says.
He suggests they then contact those advertisers, asking if they care about continuing to receive their patronage, "then why would you sponsor something that is offensive to me?"
According to Vitagliano, more than a half million people have used his group's website to convey, via e-mail, their concerns to NBC and its affiliates. "This has really struck a nerve with people," he told the LA Times.
At press time, NBC affiliates in Terre Haute, Indiana (WTWO), and Little Rock, Arkansas (KARK), have refused to air the show. In addition, a viewer in Wichita, Kansas, reported to AFA on Friday morning that local affiliate KNSW has also decided not to broadcast The Book of Daniel.
