1/24/2006
Well, that was quick:
Bowing to the power of the pocketbook – the failure to attract advertisers – NBC has decided to pull the plug on its controversial new show “The Book of Daniel.”
“NBC didn’t want to eat their economic losses,” said Donald E. Wildmon, chairman of the American Family Association.
Are NBC execs wondering why they have been struggling to regain their number-1-in-primetime status? All you have to do is see even part of one episode of “Book of Daniel” (two have aired so far) to understand why.
If they had any sense whatsoever, they would have altered the format of the show and modified the script to make it into a sitcom. A drug-addicted pastor advising his congregation not to sweat temptation, wife with a serious drinking problem, a drug-dealing daughter… This is almost like the old Fox show, “Married With Children.”
This is the kind of show, such a pile of garbage, yet still manages to make it’s way onto the air, which convinces average people that NBC has an agenda. At least they had the common sense to take the thing off the air.
5 Comments
Actually think it’s a pretty good story. Makes people think about the world the way it is. All humans with all their faults next to tiny sparks of perfection that can come shining through. Brightewr and brighter while walking the road. Anyone can choose to make the right choice at any time. Plus the fact that everybody actually needs these mistakes to become who they can be. Realistic in that sense and hopefull.
Also I think it could actually get more people back to their spirituality (compassion and humility; for yourself and the world), individual or even to church. Last is not really my thing but hey, if it works for ya…:wink:
Warm regards
Comment by Lesley — 6/30/2006 @ 11:31 pm
Lesley,
Thanks for your comment. I don’t disagree with you at all that failure can often teach us important lessons.
What so many were up in arms over regarding this series is that it took a faith that so many hold dear and warped it to become something else. Christianity is not about the process of self-actualization. Just the opposite in fact.
Christianity is about the creator of the universe establishing a personal relationship with those whom he has chosen to be his people. And it’s about the fact that those people cannot please God on their own, through any efforts of their own. A relationship with God comes through God, as a free gift. We don’t gradually earn that relationship any more than my own children have gradually earned a relationship with me over the years of their lives.
I chose to love my children, and I’ll love them always. They might grow up and break my heart with things they do, but I’ll just be a broken-hearted father who loves his children.
That is a brief look into the heart of Christianity, but here is God’s attitude towards us in a nutshell:
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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3:16
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You can argue that this is an exclusive philosophy and you would be right. While Christians are to love even their enemies and pray for those who hate them, they are also to speak the truth.
And if you think about it, it makes sense. You mentioned that “anyone can choose to make the right choice at any time,” but how do people know what the “right” choice really is? Christians believe that it’s programmed into us, an inherent understanding of right and wrong so that no one can claim ignorance.
Anyway. I could go on for pages. If you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to reply.
Regards,
David
Comment by David — 7/6/2006 @ 7:24 am
I understand what you’re saying. I do think that somewhere inside people know, but they stray from that because they e.g. stop listening to their gut feelings and/or are overwhelmed by negative/threatening (I mean things that make them feel that way) influences. These things make people turn away from who they really are sometimes (how long and on how many levels differs ofcourse). And I wouldn’t mind saying that by doing that they turn away from god (any god that is infinite and wants us to evolve; I believe to evolve we need to learn more about how to love life, others and ourselves) also, or as other people would prefer their nature or the nature of the Universe.
I’m really not in for a game of my opinion is better then yours, as you can see happening in some forums. (I get the sense you are not like that either) I actually think in essence we’re not far apart.
What do you think on finding what binds us, instead of what makes us different? We could respect the latter!
Thanks for your reply by the way!
Warm regards,
Lesley
P.S. perhaps I didn’t go into all you wrote but I’m a bit occupied by my studies.
Comment by Lesley — 9/11/2006 @ 5:17 pm