Jesus practiced forgiveness and acceptance, so as a preface, consider the Buddhist philosophy that the path to Heaven is like a mountain. There are many paths leading upward, and the only person wasting his time is the one running around the mountain telling everyone else they are doing it wrong.
I turned the show on expecting to be infuriated, but I am very impressed. I think the show (the first episode, at least) is clever, well-written and not remotely offensive. Before you think, "Well, those godless Episcopal heathens have a gay bishop," know that I am among the more conservative Episcopalians, and the show very accurately reflects the conversations I have in my head with Jesus. OK, so I've never seen him sitting in the passenger seat of my car or loitering outside my half bath, but artistic license covers that base.
I don't think this is an Christian vs. Hollywood issue, or at least it shouldn't be. This is flattering to Christians -- something that has been sorely lacking in recent years, thanks to televangelists and their air conditioned dog houses. Most of America is Christian, and there is entertainment enough in this show for everyone, whether they are watching it for the God content or not.
Per Sportbronco's comment, I read the Bible and I think it makes me more of a thinker, not less. And just because you believe in God doesn't mean you are humorless. When you study the Bible in an historical context, you see that Jesus had a pretty good sense of humor. That's one of the things I really like about this show that I think others may be taking issue with. I fully believe he would have cracked a one-liner. Jesus was fully God, but also fully human.
Same with Daniel -- fully priest and also fully regular-guy. Why is it offensive that a priest isn't perfect? Who says he can't have a daughter who makes an error in judgment, an adopted son who's having sex in his parents' car, a gay son whom he loves? A cheating dad/imperfect bishop, a mother with Alzheimer's, snipe-fests with his wife over their sex life? Now, the fact that the family has a housekeeper is atypical -- these people aren't rich in real life. And the bigoted cow who made the remark about "oriental grandchildren" -- that was unfortunate. But every story has to have a villain, and she and her bullied, bullying, condescending husband are it.
To the people who are concerned that this sort of material is detrimental, I must respectfully disagree. I find it hard to believe that someone would be condemned for considering Jesus a good friend he turns to when he has troubles. Isn't putting Jesus into the context of our lives and having a close relationship what we are supposed to do? I think that is the most basic tenet of this show.
Based on all the savage reviews I had heard, I was all set to drum up a letter writing campaign to the network (which I see as voicing an opinion, not promoting censorship, and something people in the majority don't do nearly often enough because they feel guilty about being in the majority in the first place).
But then I watched the premiere, and I really enjoyed it. If "The Book of Daniel" brings anyone to church, if it shows them that maybe it's a place where they will be accepted in spite of their flaws, if it encourages them to keep trying to be better in spite of their weaknesses -- then I'm all for it.
We don't watch a lot of TV, but this show is entertaining and real, and it had earned a place in our viewing pantheon.
I turned the show on expecting to be infuriated, but I am very impressed. I think the show (the first episode, at least) is clever, well-written and not remotely offensive. Before you think, "Well, those godless Episcopal heathens have a gay bishop," know that I am among the more conservative Episcopalians, and the show very accurately reflects the conversations I have in my head with Jesus. OK, so I've never seen him sitting in the passenger seat of my car or loitering outside my half bath, but artistic license covers that base.
I don't think this is an Christian vs. Hollywood issue, or at least it shouldn't be. This is flattering to Christians -- something that has been sorely lacking in recent years, thanks to televangelists and their air conditioned dog houses. Most of America is Christian, and there is entertainment enough in this show for everyone, whether they are watching it for the God content or not.
Per Sportbronco's comment, I read the Bible and I think it makes me more of a thinker, not less. And just because you believe in God doesn't mean you are humorless. When you study the Bible in an historical context, you see that Jesus had a pretty good sense of humor. That's one of the things I really like about this show that I think others may be taking issue with. I fully believe he would have cracked a one-liner. Jesus was fully God, but also fully human.
Same with Daniel -- fully priest and also fully regular-guy. Why is it offensive that a priest isn't perfect? Who says he can't have a daughter who makes an error in judgment, an adopted son who's having sex in his parents' car, a gay son whom he loves? A cheating dad/imperfect bishop, a mother with Alzheimer's, snipe-fests with his wife over their sex life? Now, the fact that the family has a housekeeper is atypical -- these people aren't rich in real life. And the bigoted cow who made the remark about "oriental grandchildren" -- that was unfortunate. But every story has to have a villain, and she and her bullied, bullying, condescending husband are it.
To the people who are concerned that this sort of material is detrimental, I must respectfully disagree. I find it hard to believe that someone would be condemned for considering Jesus a good friend he turns to when he has troubles. Isn't putting Jesus into the context of our lives and having a close relationship what we are supposed to do? I think that is the most basic tenet of this show.
Based on all the savage reviews I had heard, I was all set to drum up a letter writing campaign to the network (which I see as voicing an opinion, not promoting censorship, and something people in the majority don't do nearly often enough because they feel guilty about being in the majority in the first place).
But then I watched the premiere, and I really enjoyed it. If "The Book of Daniel" brings anyone to church, if it shows them that maybe it's a place where they will be accepted in spite of their flaws, if it encourages them to keep trying to be better in spite of their weaknesses -- then I'm all for it.
We don't watch a lot of TV, but this show is entertaining and real, and it had earned a place in our viewing pantheon.