Living in the deep South, I was waiting for the locals to jump on the bandwagon. And they did not disappoint.
WMGT Channel 41 in Macon got flooded with calls from local churches asking them to NOT air "The Book of Daniel" tonight. But no one has EVER called to complain about Jerry Springer, Maury Povich and the like airing on the same station. Or the trashy Judge shows.
I guess trashy TV talk shows full of immoral guests and topics aren't offensive to Christians, they happen to be Macon's highest rated TV programs during the afterschool and dinner hours.
I am happy that the local NBC station where I live is not going to pratice censorship this evening. They announced that "The Book of Daniel" will be seen as scheduled. But stations in Indiana, Arkansas and now Kansas have decided their viewers are not smart enough to make their own choices. And the station in Little Rock that refuses to show "The Book of Daniel" tells their viewers that the show will be available on another station in the city. So is that an invitation to intentionally lose viewers? Are television stations now in the business of telling people NOT to watch their station? Glad I am not an investor in that operation.
Book of Daniel Controversy
By:Seth Bauguess
A new TV show on NBC is creating an uproar all over the country.
41-NBC has been flooded with emails and calls about the Book of Daniel. The drama is about an Episcopalian priest, his family, and the issues they deal with.
It's a topic that cuts right to the heart of many in Middle Georgia. But is the show taking shots at Christians? Or, does it just show a side that some people don't want to see?
The congregation at Vineville North Baptist Church is not unlike many groups of faith who don't understand why the controversial TV show, is a TV show.
"Have they exhausted all creative elements that they go to a show that offends people of faith?"
Senior Pastor Jerry Dingmore, Vineville North Baptist Church
After receiving hundreds of emails from all over Middle Georgia requesting that we pull the show, we wanted to get both sides of the issue from two men of faith.
"I think it does scare some people to realize the church is supposed to be in the ditch of life. That's the good samaritan story."
Pastor Jim Braswell, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
The "ditch" of Daniel centers on an Episcopalian reverend who struggles with addiction, sees and talks with Jesus often, juggles a rocky relationship with his alcoholic wife, and challenges the authority of the heads of his church.
"Close to reality and perhaps too close to reality for some people."
Pastor Jim Braswell, Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
But Jerry Dingmore says this is not reality. He says it smells a lot like another attempt to take jabs at people like him.
"Is the purpose of this truly to entertain or is it about targeting the people of faith?"
Jerry Dingmore, Vineville North Baptist Church
One thing is for sure, as religion continues to work its way into the mainstream, we will continue to see shows like this and movies like the Passion that show both the positive and negative sides of religion and faith.
Two NBC stations have decided not to air the series. One station is in Indiana, and the other is in Arkansas.
The Book of Daniel will air on 41-NBC. It premieres Friday night at 9 pm.
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