The Book of Daniel

I tell you, living in the bible belt is a very interesting experience. Other than the fact that you can’t throw a rock without hitting a church, you also can’t get into any sort of religious conversation without turning it into an argument.

Unless of course you’re just talking about Christianity and how great it is then you’re in the clear. But when a lowly TV show does something goofy with your favorite religious symbol, well…there's trouble.

Let’s think a minute what this show is (a soap opera), what its purpose is (entertainment) and how people have freedom of choice (as long as Bush doesn’t take that one away too…because the terrorists could win with freedom of choice!).

I’m big on religious freedom and most importantly the seperation of Church and State. Religion in school is just a bad idea, no matter what the religion is (I push for the introduction of the Spaghetti Monster myself, because I think it’s funny).

I think this article is just a slap in the face to freedom of expression. For some reason CSI can show dead bodies and mutilated tissue and rape victims and gunshots… Sitcoms can talk about orgasms, sex and masturbation in disturbing detail, but should we ever try to make light or use creative freedom with well-known religious figures…well, then we may just corrupt the rest of America not currently corrupt. Here are a few quotes from the article on the subject:

"If this is their (the show's creators) view of Christianity, it's going to be as a joke," said Kearns. "It's an assault on the Christian faith."

"Christ is at the center of my worship," Reverend John Stuart said. "What the show has done is demean my faith. You've diminished the person I worship...you've wounded me."

Come on man, wounded you? Are you serious? Diminished the person you worship? Huh?

I’m not big on offending people. Matter of fact I go out of my way to not piss on someone’s belief(s). I don’t badmouth Christians or Muslims just like I don’t spoil Santa or the Easter Bunny for kids. But when someone wants to take away certain entertainment while there are definitely more offensive shows on the air, this gets the uproar?

The worst part is that the station is receiving “hundreds of complaints” about this, yet those of us who don’t care (read: myself) will do nothing, because we know how to turn the channel and we know how to turn the TV off and we realize it’s just a stupid soap opera. If anything, this controversy will only boost the show’s ratings.

You want some faith wounding? Go read The Davinci Code. It will break down your ideas, beliefs and truths unlike anything you’ve read all year. And you know what? It’s amazingly entertaining. And it doesn’t need maudlin drama to prove its point, unlike The Book of Daniel.

I, for one, would love to hear what a pastor with a clue, such as Gary, thinks about this.

Until then, please, don’t watch what offends you.

If time is a vessel, then learning to love
Might be my way back to sea