Wing nuts up in arms about NBC series.

[flamin lib]

Just got an email from a religious do-gooder friend about a television program slated to run on NBC this January. It's called "The Book of Daniel" and the main character is an Episcopal priest who has a dependence on pain medication. His wife has a fondness for martinis in the middle of the day after losing one son to leukemia. The remaining son is a Log Cabin Republican (gay) and his daughter sells a little grass to make extra money. The "hook" is that Daniel talks to Jesus about his trials and Jesus actually shows up and gives advice and comfort.

This friend urged me to contact my local NBC affiliate about this series which I did and asked them to please run it. You may want to do the same. You can find your affiliate at NBC.com and there is a good write-up about the series at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/171/story_17189_1.html

[BushOut06]

1. Actually looks like a good show

The trailers I've seen look pretty funny.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Yes

I've seen previews and it looks like your typical comedy. I'll probably watch the first episode to see if I'll like it.

[flamin lib]

11. Not supposed to be a comedy, a drama dealing with a true

faith and reliance in Jesus.

[Lex]

2. What the fundies' problem with all this?

:shrug:

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Who knows

My aunt has been talking about it lately and she thinks it'd be a good show and she, like my family and I, is Christian too. They're too uptight. If you don't like something on the tv just turn it for goodness sakes! Haven't they heard of a remote control? Good grief.

[sui generis]

21. always amazes me

I suppose if I saw something that attacked a particular group of people I'd be compelled to call the networks rather than use the remote, but anguish because they don't agree with the idea of someone talking to their personal savior?

Oh my. That's ironic. (mirth)

More and more I see that people who are most serene and confident in their faith are people who understand the ideas of faith rather than the literal stories, whichever way they may believe about the actual facts.

In the movie Dogma, what caught me near the end was whatsername's realization that it wasn't the fact of god's maleness or femaleness that mattered, it was the idea of god/divinity.

I'm not a believer but I can certainly respect ideas.

And I certainly like your idea about when to use the remote!

[FreedomAngel82]

24. Instead of bitching and whining just turn it off

That's all you have to do. If the show doesn't have raitings than it'll go off. Doy. And why waste your time when you know other people might enjoy it? The show actually looks pretty cute. It's purely a comedy.

[annabanana]

42. He's talking to his Lord, and he's an EPISCOPALIAN!!

Everybody know He doesn't talk to them.. they consecrate gay Bishops and women.. They live in the reality based world and don't expect all the world's problems to get raptured away anytime soon..
I'm not surprised that this drives them nuts.

[xultar]

7. You mean any comparison of religion and real-life? I'm sure they do.

If you put religious learnings in a real life concept the fundie bullshit won't hold up and the truth will be exposed.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

8. It's sacrilege of course...

regular everyday people being able to talk to Jesus! That right is reserved for special people, like them and the shrub.

[flamin lib]

13. Naaaa, the Shrub bypasses Jesus and goes directly to God. nt

[BushOut06]

17. What do you mean? I thought Bushie was God

At least in his own mind. Don't most dictators have some sort of God complex? Saddam thought he was the reincarnation of Nebuchednezzar (sp?) from ancient Babylon. Hitler thought he was God.

What happens when God gets schizo? Does he think he's Napoleon?

[Just Me]

23. LMAO!

:rofl:

[flamin lib]

9. Oh, you know, the usual crap about

homosexual agendas, Christians being portrayed badly, won't someone think of the children and all that bullshit.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

30. First of all, it's an Episcopal priest instead of a fundie minister, and

he's portrayed as having a troubled family, when everyone know that clergy families are perfect. :sarcasm:

[kevinbgoode]

41. There's not enough S/M beatings and bleedings. . .

as in The Passion of the Christ.

[Gato Moteado]

5. what exactly is it that pisses off the wingnuts about the show?

nt

[babylonsister]

6. The homophobic AFA is behind this, so think carefully before

doing anything to support them.

My sister rec'd this yesterday:

NBC considers new show featuring a completely dysfunctional family a positive portrayal of Christ and Christians

Dear xxxx,

On January 6, NBC will begin a new series entitled The Book of Daniel.

While the public has not seen the program, NBC is promoting "The Book of Daniel" as a serious drama about Christian people and the Christian faith. The main character is Daniel Webster, a drug-addicted Episcopal priest whose wife depends heavily on her mid-day martinis.

Webster regularly sees and talks with a very unconventional white-robed, bearded Jesus. The Webster family is rounded out by a 23-year-old homosexual Republican son, a 16-year-old daughter who is a drug dealer, and a 16-year-old adopted son who is having sex with the bishop's daughter. At the office, his lesbian secretary is sleeping with his sister-in-law.

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.

NBC considers The Book of Daniel a positive portrayal of Christ and Christians.

Please take action now! Here is what you can do:

1. Call your local NBC affiliate and ask them not to air the program. You can find their contact information in your local phone book or by Clicking Here.

2. Print out a copy of AFA's pass along sheet, fill in the affiliate call letters and phone number, make copies and pass out at your church. Ask your pastor to announcement it and put information in the bulletin and newsletter.

3. If you haven't already done so, send an email to NBC by Clicking Here.

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT! Please help get the word out by forwarding this to your family and friends. They probably aren't aware of it!

Finally, if you believe we are making a difference, would you consider a small financial gift to AFA? There is so much more we could do if funds were available. Click here to help.

Sincerely,

Don

Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association

P.S. Please forward this e-mail message to your family and friends!


(American Family Association)

[flamin lib]

15. Yeah, that's the email! nt

[xmas74]

10. I thought it sounded like a good show.

A grown up Joan of Arcadia. I plan on watching it and I am a Christian. I see nothing wrong in him talking to Jesus and asking for advice. Furthermore, I see nothing wrong in them showing Jesus actually comforting and councilling him. Maybe I've never seen him but that doesn't mean that someone else hasn't.
When they bitch about things like that it's a sign to me that they are not real Christians and that they secretly question their own faith.

[FreedomAngel82]

25. Yep

I pray to Jesus sometimes so does that mean I'm being wrong? :eyes: I think so too with their faith. It's like with science too. When you question something so much do you really doubt your own faith? They need to stop being so serious all the time about things. I think it looks really cute and is probably more based on real life issues than the previews show. If my aunt is for it than you know there's nothing wrong with it.

[NanceGreggs]

12. Judging from the trailers I've seen ...

... this could be good. But even if it ISN'T, contact NBC and ABSOLUTELY RAVE about it!

If shows like this garner raves from the viewers, the powers-that-be at the networks might begin to realize that Liberals are a bigger audience than Fundie-types - and ratings mean $$$ when it comes to selling commercial time.

They only understand money, and if they think it lies with US rather than THEM, they will program accordingly.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

19. I think the wingnuts are freaked because Jesus is portrayed

as a >gasp< human. In the trailer he seemed to be a bit flippant, and I was sure that the fundies would be protesting the program. Just hope it gets an airing. I'd hate to see the fundies get away with shutting down the program without letting it be seen.

[mark11727]

39. Then they sure ain't gonna like THIS...

http://www.alienlovespredator.com/index.php?id=147

[annabanana]

43. pretty funny....n/t

[BOSSHOG]

14. In a free country

which we are, one can watch the show or not watch the show as one chooses. If we lived in a theocracy as some "christians" would like, the show would never be aired. This move by radical christian clerics is just another reason to support the "notion" of separation of church and state.

For all "christians" out there monitoring us, this veteran, who put his ass on the line to support your right to be fucking morons, would be more apt to listen to your lunacy as part of free American Discourse if you'd give up your tax exempt status. I pay taxes and bitch and moan and rant about politics. I think churchs that involve themselves in political discourse oughto pay taxes as well. I know that's too fucking logical for you to swallow.

[JuniperLea]

20. Well said

If you wanna dance to the music, you gotta pay the piper! Don't try to force your beliefs on me and then hide your money!

[FreedomAngel82]

31. Oh yes

There's been a quote that has been with me for a long time. I can't remember who said it or whatever but it's: "your rights end where my nose begins."

[JuniperLea]

33. Good one!

I like that a lot!

[FreedomAngel82]

28. Yes

I just wish they would just use the freakin remote! If I don't like a show I don't watch it and find something else to occupy my time with whether internet, read a book or watch something else even. The creator(s) of the show have their own first amendment rights of free speech just like anyone else does and I can use my rights by flipping the channel.

[BOSSHOG]

34. Thanks

for your picture of John Spencer. What a great actor he was. And a damn fine Chief of Staff.

[JuniperLea]

36. God gave us freewill

We can choose to follow him, or not. We can choose to watch certain TV shows, or not. What's the point of being here on Earth if God wanted to force everyone to do one thing or another?

[JuniperLea]

16. Silly Wing Nuts!

God sent his son here as a human being, was killed and then rose from the dead and that was cool with the Wingers, but for some reason, the idea that Jesus can come to people now just freaks them out! I remember the big ruckus about Cheryl Crow's song "What If God Was One of Us". Can't you just see it? Jesus comes back as a bum on the street and all the WingNuts go to hell because they treated him so deplorably. Sweet:)

Seriously though, I would think that Christians were smart enough to get with the program by now. Who is to say God didn't have a hand in the creation of this show and that it would be useful in spreading good thoughts and deeds? I think it is dangerous for Christians to be so full of themselves that they honestly think they can second guess God!

[FreedomAngel82]

32. Not all of us are that way mind you

Some of us could care less about a tv show where I can easily flip the channel.

[JuniperLea]

35. Sorry if I offended

I was speaking only of WingNut Christians. I know many Christians who are brilliant, open minded and walk the talk and they don't try to force feed their views. I was raised in a Fundie household, have cousins who are missionaries and I still hold dear some of the things I learned. So much of what passes as Christianity these days is downright blasphemous, imho.

[drbtg1]

45. I believe you mean the song "One of Us" by Joan Osborne

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001ED1/002-5171106-9188039

Prince did a cover version, but I'm not familiar with a version by "Sheryl" Crow. I am uncertain if Ms. Crow was a songwriter on this (and perhaps this may have been what you meant), but Ms. Osborne was the performer of the song at the height of the controversy.

[proud2BlibKansan]

18. Wow that looks great.

And if the talabornagains disapprove, then I guess I better watch it.

[shenmue]

22. Oh no!

How dare people present any other view of religion than the fundamentalist right!

What do they think this is, a free country or something?

Oh, wait, it is? I'm sorry, then.

:sarcasm:

:puke:

:mad:

[ck4829]

26. The AFA is behind the campaign to stop this show

And that is why everyone should do all the more to encourage ABC to run it.

[shimmergal]

27. It sounds good. In fact

to me, an Episcopalian who _wishes_ she could talk over things with Jesus that way, I think it sounds real neat!

Are the trailers still running? If so, when and where? Haven't watched much drama on TV for a while--just mostly news/public affairs and cartoons, when I'm babysitting granddaughters, but may have to make an exception and find time for this.

[rinsd]

29. I predict a half season run , maybe less.....

....this show will likely go the way of other "wayward" priest dramas.

[bullwinkle428]

37. A reality show based on the life of Fred Phelps and family

would be a much more accurate portrayal of the modern Christian family, in the eyes of a lot of these wackos...

[Mojambo]

44. I would totally watch that Fred Phelps show. n/t

[johnnie]

38. It's funny that they are giving the show extra publicity

The ratings are going to go through the roof because of the help from these idiots. In fact, I just got that email myself and trashed it, but I laughed at how stupid that organization is for promoting the show they think they are going to cancel.

[kevinbgoode]

40. Oh...this is another one of the American"Family" Association attacks

These are people who absolutely hate the idea that the public gets access to any programming that isn't approved by them first. So they launch their silly email campaigns - and they hate the idea there are GAY characters in the show, especially a gay REPUBLICAN.

Definitely contact the network and tell them you are looking forward to seeing the show. . .and that you don't expect them to cave to this ridiculous censorship group.