The Religious Wrong
On Thursday night, I saw my first preview for The Book of Daniel, a quirky new dramedy about an Episcopalian priest and his dysfunctional family. I thought it looked interesting but I probably wouldn’t have sought out the program. Then I read that several NBC affiliates had removed the show from their schedules in response to some boohooing from religious groups. That got my attention. No matter what the critics or fans say about a show, nothing is more likely to get me to tune in than hearing the Religious Right has a problem with it. I think they should do away with the current stars and thumbs in ratings and implement a system of crosses for each cult, I mean religious group, who opposes the show. The more the crosses, the more likely it is I’ll like it.
I wasn’t quite clear where the pre-premiere controversy came from. Ok, the priest is a Vicodin-popping hottie (Aidan Quinn) who has regular chit-chats throughout the day with American Idol runner-up Bo Bice. Or maybe that’s supposed to be Jesus. As far as I know, taking painkillers is neither unlawful nor immoral. And I thought religious dudes talked to their imaginary friend all the time. It could be worse- he could be carrying on with Ryan Seacrest. Then there’s Father Hottie’s wife who’s quite fond of her martinis. Again, not a sin unless she’s drinking cheap vodka. They have a teenage daughter who gets arrested for selling pot. I’ll give the religious groups that one, though I’d have to put that in the category of “illegal but not sinful.” They have an adopted Chinese son who’s half naked in every scene as he tries to make it with his girlfriend. The only sin there is the warm feelings I get when I see this stud, who’s quite possibly a minor. Rounding out the family is the oldest son who’s a gay Republican. Clearly, he’s the most objectionable character on the show, being a Republican and all. But methinks the uproar is over the fact that both he and the show’s creators are gay. Oh wait, I don’t have to just presume that, a spokesman for the American Family Association came right out and said that was the problem.
The same spokesman went on to say, “This was not a realistic portrayal of a minister’s life. This was so far beyond the pale, it was almost a comic strip version.” Whoever said that television portrayals had to be realistic? Does anybody believe there’s even one street in America with fortysomething women who always look as fabulous as those of Wisteria Lane or that Jack Bauer can save the world in 24 hours without ever encountering rush hour traffic?
I watched the first two episodes of The Book of Daniel last night to see if there was something missing from the news reports that got the religious groups so upset. There was no bashing of religion or religious figures (as I’d hoped there would be). It was basically about a guy and his family who make some mistakes. Heaven forbid that a priest should be portrayed as (gasp!) human! Even if he wasn’t, what makes religious groups believe they should be above parody when every other group is subject to it? Even more disturbing is the fact that these tv stations give in to the complaints.
A few weeks ago, some Catholic group complained about a recent South Park episode with the following premise:
A statue of the Virgin Mary is believed to be bleeding from its rear end, inspiring faithful parishioners to flock from miles around to be healed by the miraculous blood.
Eventually, Pope Benedict XVI is called in to investigate, whereupon he determines that the statue is actually menstruating and thus is nothing special.
“A chick bleeding out her vagina is no miracle,” the pope declares in the episode. “Chicks bleed out their vaginas all the time.”
Comedy Central appeased the group by removing the episode from a scheduled rerun and possibly even permanently. I thought it sounded pretty funny so I got my hands on the episode. It starts with the kids mocking an Asian man’s accent then features a drunk father driving the kids home. He instructs one of the kids to hold the wheel so he can urinate in a bottle. He gets pulled over and arrested and later forces his eight-year-old kid to drive so he doesn’t violate the terms of his DUI. It’s one incident after another where characters’ behavior either inflict or have the potential to inflict harm on others and the Catholic group bitches about a female statue miraculously undergoing a natural biological process. Maybe they were upset because it was such an accurate portrayal of the type of believers who will pay $28,000 for a grilled cheese sandwich that appears to have the Virgin Mary on its crust.
Everybody’s entitled to complain when they’re not happy about something. If I couldn’t, this blog would be empty. It just seems to me that with the sort of resources these groups have, perhaps they should focus their energies on more productive endeavors, like getting Jerry Falwell’s bigoted ministries off the airways. At the very least, I hope tv stations will stop placating these morons and realize sin is in!
36 Responses to “The Religious Wrong”
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I watched The Book of Daniel” only because I read it had been targeted by the religious wrong (I like that). I’m not a habitual tv watcher, but if some group is going to try to tell me what I can or cannot watch than you better believe I am right there with my eyes glued.
It wasn’t just “over the pale” it was WAAAAAY over the pale. Sort of an excessive, poor imitation of “Joan of Arcadia” (which I love).
But, it certainly wasn’t objectionable. People being people. Humans being human.
Hardly worthy of a picket sign or a petition much less a national boycott.
And when are these religious wrong fools going to learn that the louder and longer they cry foul, the more people they send running TO whatever they are caterwalling about?
You are going to HELLLLLL
Amen, sister!
Sleepyrn- part of me thinks that networks deliberately plant the controversy stories to drum up interest, though I’m not sure how having affiliates remove the show lends to that plan.
Anonymous- To quote one of my favorite song lines, “I’d rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, sinners are much more fun.”
Billy Joel, “Only The Good Die Young”
Well, this show won’t make it beyond one season anyway. It’s a very idiotic program and quite uninteresting.
ahh you guys read too much into this i think. Shes just plain funny. Who cares if the show is crap? I love this blog
you should read it and then read the book of jonah and watch that instead.
They complain about the mockery of a figure they greatly respect, you complain because people you don’t
know pay a lot of money for a sandwhich.
Frankly, I think the
bleeding statue’s a little more offensive, but apparently it isn’t as objectionable as voicing a religious opinion.
The thing that I was thinking as you were describing ‘The Book of Daniel’ is that it sounded like it could be a really good show given that crazy assortment of characters (even if it wasn’t). The fact that America has groups that get so easily offended at such things upsets me; that can suppress some really good ideas, turning everything into a cheezy ‘bunch of friends’ comedy.
As an Australian, I implore you to stop good shows being pulled off the air. I mean, the only good TV here (aside from the news) is from the US!
The Book of Daniel is too quirky to be a “feel good” program so I think its only chance for success is to cross some boundaries. It will be interesting to see if the show’s producers and/or the network have the balls to do that.
As for keeping good programs on the air, I think my blogs indicate I’m fairly passionate about savingArrested Development.
About religion, since the begin of times we have been manipulated by all those freaks abusing people and playing their fears.
Anyone that has read history will realize the manipulations from religious people. People were told to go and fight wars for “GOD”… with their blessings!!! Am I dreaming or is it just a nightmare?
One has only to look at what is going on with the world today.
Let us remember the Inquisition…
and today’s fanatism on all sides.
All in the name of religion!
The US is full of these illuminated
that “speaks” regularly with God.
Not only religious people but the President of the US that is on a mission to bring democracy to the world… with 140 miltary bases all over the world…
But history also show that nothing is permanent and that things will change. We should be praying for the fall of all these false prophets, amen!
“nothing is more likely to get me to tune in than hearing the Religious Right has a problem with it.”
its a conspiracy, you’ve been brainwashed, i bet they targeted you and you’re the only person who heard about the controversy [sorry bad spelling verrry badd ssppeling]
You’re blog kicks arse [i was deffinetly brainwashed into saying that not that it isn't a great blog its just that you're sort of mean't to say that and so you're conditioned to do it]
oh yeah and check out these blogs you mite like them
vst1 and my life on a plate [its not my life its some one elses but the first blog {vst1} is mine]
the Religious Wrong had a problem with the Virgin Mary menstruating (just because she had a baby without having sex, allegedly, that doesn’t mean she didn’t menstruate), because they don’t like anything that shows their idols as human… they also had an issue with Jesus having pubic hair and being attracted to women in The Last Temptation Of Christ… when it comes to their idols, their attitude is “can’t touch this!”
“About religion, since the begin of times we have been manipulated by all those freaks abusing people and playing their fears.”
Really? I understood that non-religious people believed that man hadn’t been around at the beginning of time.
As far as the abuse and manipulation theory goes - do you honestly believe that religious people were that smart and non-religious people were that easy to prey on? I have more faith in human reason.
I find that with most “liberal” minded people, tolerance is a one way street. They have no problem mocking Christianity, but find it HIGHLY offensive if something derogatory is said about Islam or Buddhism. What about you, Jenée?
So there’s a lot of controversy about this t.v. show. I didn’t want this show to stay on the air either, because it makes it look like this is how a Christia(myself included)acts. That is why it was “boohooed”. Christians aren’t trying to tell people what they can or can not watch. We’re just trying to stand up for our selves.
I’ll be the first to admit that I love Jesus, but I think the Jesus I love is a totally different person from the religious right’s Jesus, anyhow, I digress. I’ll probably never even see this show, perhaps they should do what I do, ummmm don’t watch it if you don’t like it? lol~cheers~D
“I didn’t want this show to stay on the air either, because it makes it look like this is how a Christia(myself included)acts.”
So, you are saying that all christians are the same but not like the characters in that show?
I find that hard to believe.
Christianity will fade away just like other mythologies have. The sooner the better in my book. It is time to grow up and leave the imaginary “friend(s)” behind. Yes, I’m talking about the so called “pro lifers” that endorse the death penalty and euthanasia. Friggin’ idiots!
well, if your going to HELLLLL as anonymous said, then ill meet ya there. at least we know there will be some comedy down there to keep us (the 99% of the population) company. great blog, keep it up.
I would like to say…..
Ifact I’m not going to say anything that I was thinking of saying.
Christianity is not a “mythology”. Christ really did walk the earth. I havent seen this show and will not. I feel more and more that people are trying to make tv shows that portray religion as somthing for a bunch of stupid ideots that cant think for themselves.
You and people like you don’t belive in a God because you dont want to become responsible for what you did If there was no comeing judgement then why not go out and steal, rape, and kill? You guys try to play down Christianity in particular. You say no? But its true.
And I’m sad to say to the last poster: You think your going to laugh in Hell? Just wait.
I hope it dosnt come to that. It’s not too late. Christianity will never die. You say it will but your wrong. Fait isnt somthing that soomone who has none can easily understand. So get with it and start trying.
The Fiish
As comments added up for this post, it seemed a bit confusing for me to respond to individual ones (it would be nice if Blogger added the capability for the author to respond directly below each comment). So I’ve decided to give my thoughts on the last comment (from The Fiish), which I think touches on most of the things I wanted to discuss.
First, in regards to Chrisitanity being a mythology: I don’t know for sure that it is and you don’t know for sure that it isn’t. It’s based on a book of stories handed down for centuries before it was even put into print. We’ve all seen what can happen in a three minute game of operator. Multiply that a couple billion times and it’s pretty unlikely that the stories people read and worship today are even close to any actual events.
I can believe that Jesus was a real guy, but he was just a human like everybody else, born to a woman who was impregnated through sexual intercourse with a man. In fact, I have to give props to the unwed Mary for being able to convince people her bastard child was the son of God.
As for the show Book of Daniel, it doesn’t matter to me one way or another whether anybody watches it, but I do have a problem with people condemning it without having watched at least one episode. I’ve now seen three episodes and, while it may not represent the “average” priest and his family, it’s far from representing the worst of the bunch. The incidence of religious leaders behaving in illegal and/or immoral ways is so high it’s ridiculous to call these characters and premises far-fetched. And frankly, as a non-believer, I think it’s actually one of the best portrayals of a spiritual leader I’ve seen in the media because it shows him to be tolerant and non-judgmental, which is what I thought Christianity was supposed to be about.
You say that non-believers don’t want to be responsible for what we’ve done. That’s so wrong. I know that I’m responsible for my actions in THIS lifetime and that I pay the consequences in THIS lifetime. I don’t clasp my hands together and ask the ceiling for forgiveness for a future lifetime because I know that’s not going to improve the lives of people I’ve hurt in THIS lifetime, which is the only lifetime I know for certain exists. Both sides base their beliefs on the absense of scientific evidence. I’m too logical to base my beliefs on mere theories.
You say we try to play down Christianity in particular. Not me. I think all organized religion is nutty. Given that there are so many religions with such vastly different beliefs, odds are good that your belief is wrong. Think about it: at the end of it all, only one group is going to be right. Maybe it’s your group, maybe it’s mine. Maybe it’s the Jews or the Mormons. For all we know, maybe the guys who flew planes into the World Trade Center were right and now they’re living large with all those virgins (well, I guess by now they’re not virgins anymore). It makes no sense to me to follow a bunch of silly rules (no pork? no condoms? no caffeine?) when there’s no way for me to know whose silly I should be following. As I’ve said before in my blog, The Golden Rule is the only one worth following.
If I’m going to hell, so be it. If your God does exist and allows murderers and rapists and pedophiles into heaven simply because they asked for forgiveness and sends me to hell because I lived a decent life but didn’t believe in him and ask for forgiveness, then he’s an egotistical asshole and I don’t need him in my life.
The Bible says that the “wisdom of God is foolishness to men” and that the “wisdom of men is foolishness to God”.
Therefore the tenor of this entire thread is merely foolish humans speaking about issues they know nothing about.
ha!
I wanted to watch it from the previews where jesus says ‘it doesn’t get any better does it?’
precisely because it was blasphemous.
Funny blog. I’m Irish Catholic. I’m wondering if the folks who were ranting and raving were from that Rev. Phelps organization. Most Christians believe Rev. Phelps is totally and completely insane. He is at the very least an embarrassment to Christianity if not humanity. Hopefully most people recognize the difference between Phelps and typical church going Christians. They make fun of Christians and Republicans all the time on tv. There probably aren’t many succussful entertainers that are Republican or openly Christian. It doesn’t seem to be socially exceptable. I’ve seen a few South Park episodes where they made fun of Jesus and I don’t remember them protesting those so I am not sure why this one is so much more upsetting. South Park seems to be fair in their prejudice. They made fun of Barbara Streisand “Barbula” who is like a symbol for Democrats and celebrities. Being a true Christian means you accept everyone as they are. You help them if they want it. What would be the point, for example, in keeping a gay person out of church? Doesn’t make sense. Whether they turn straight or stay gay, the important thing to Christians is believing and doing your best to follow God’s Word. There is a lot of misinterpretation of the Bible. Hollywood always seems to put the crazy spokesperson or spin on Christianity. We’re used to it and we are not above making fun of ourselves, especially we Catholics. If everyone sins then we would be excluding a lot of people from church if we only excepted the folks without sin, whatever you consider sin to be. Jewish folks have a lot of the same beliefs. They are our brothers in a way. We share the New Testiment even though it has a different name. Mel Gibson isn’t anti-Jew and Rev Phelps isn’t the Christian majority. If anything Christians and Jews are more closely linked than any religion. There are even Christian organizations whos sole purpose is saving Jewish people that are starving in Siberia. That is the Christian majority. Instead of reading the most shocking report from Phelp’s or the one thing Pat Roberts said that can be inflated, we should probably be looking more towards Max Lucado, Ed Young or Billy Grahm to name just a few. They are more towards the Christian majority. They’ve even been known to make fun of Christians. Ooohh shock. I did hear that Denzel Washington is a Republican. I had to chuckle when I heard that. I have to admit I was pleased. He also donated 1 million to the Military to build a new Fisher House for a hospital (the equivilant to Ronald McDonald House on the civilian side). I wonder if he is a Christian too. Hmm. No matter. Oh, one more thing, we Christians don’t go around nail gunning abortion clinic workers either. Those are folks with mental illnesses, like psychopaths. Although, we would allow a psychopath into church… that is if the cops haven’t caught him yet.
http://crosswalk.com/faith/ministry_audio/
or
http://crosswalk.com/
Yes. There’s more. I tend to go on. I just read your response to several of the posts. I haven’t read all the posts but I will just say this:
God doesn’t say you have to believe in him. He’s just there for you. If you want to believe in him you can. If you don’t believe in him, then why would he make you go to heaven? If God doesn’t really exist then you wont be going to heaven or hell. You will simply not exist. There is no reason then to be mad if someone says you are going to Hell if you are truly an Athiest. God gave us freedom of choice, abortion, murder, pre-marital sex and not believing or believing in Christ. God opens the door. You decide if you want to go in. He is like our parent. They teach us the right way and we decide what to do with those teachings. Even a parent can’t force a child’s path when he has grown. God will not make you believe in him and go to heaven. If you don’t believe then you simply don’t have to go. There is no vengence or damnation intended. He probably just wants you to have your freedom to choose. No one really knows what Hell is anyway. Might just be like everyday life, except you’re there for eternity without any way to get to heaven. The choice is yours. God will not force you. What would life be like if God took away our freedom to choose? Sure there would be no murder, but what else would be missing?
Ok, I just had to add…Happy Religious Freedom Day! Jan. 16th.
http://www.crosswalk.com/
Jenee’: I, too, really had a major problem with someone trying prevent me from seeing something on television because it offends their religious sensibilities. I don’t like seeing artistic expression on television or in theatres strong-armed into silence because of someone else’s personal opinion. Everyone has the right not to watch or go to the theatre and see the film and unless the art work actually involves hurting someone (like child pornography or law-breaking like a snuff film) that is the end of their right. No one has the right to prevent me from seeing something just because it offends their morality. I don’t like censorship. It is un-American.
Personally, I think God is big enough to handle religious comedy and I don’t think Jesus would have looked favorably on all those “money changers” that inhabit the mega-churches and televangelist shows of the Christian right and who sell all kinds of books and merchandise and easy path to salvation plans in his name.
From a right wing fundie: (My pastor refers to me as the “far right reverend”):
I admire the courage of NBC for showing this show–they are going to lose lots of money on it, and open some eyes of my apathetic Christian friends. Of course, if they picked on someone else, it would take real courage.
For those who don’t understand why this show is offensive to Christians, let me challenge the producers to make some spinoffs.
1. The Book of Hadith–a secretly drunken Imam and his family struggle through life, with an older son training for suicidal Jihad and a daughter secretly dating a Jewis bisexual. Muhammed the prophet shows up regularly to advise the Imam.
2. How about the Book of Martin, about a philandering black preacher with a light skinned daughter dating a skinhead, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s ghost showing up to give the preacher advice on womanizing and other things.
Go ahead. Put either one of these on TV–and find a spot in a witness protection program, because you will need them.
Yanno, some people can watch Notre Dame win a game against some other team and they’ll get all upset because that damned Catholic school beat their favorite xtian boys again. It is all nonsense that is as usefull as the IRA blowing up yet another Orange-laden pub in the middle of Belfast. Xtians are no better at this “acting like God-fearing Humans” business than are the suicidal muslims or Hindii or whatevers. What separates us from the rest are our chickens. Ours bleed from the vagina; theirs bleed from around that nasty cut in the neck area when the butcher sliced its head off.
There are many shows, movies and books that I would have never have heard of unless they stirred up some controversy that brought it to my attention. I don’t watch much television, so I would never have seen promo ads for The Book of Daniel. This happens much more often then you would think. The first Dan Brown book I ever read was The DaVinci Code, but he has written many other books, equally as good, before with no religious overtones. It is when religious groups step in and complain that attention (and popularity) are drawn. The movie Brokeback Mountain, and even the exhibit Bodies have highly benefited from religious scrutiny. I guess the old saying is right, “Any publicity is good publicity.” I personally feel very attracted to controversial things and many books and movies would go unseen if not for the issues and debate raised about them. My point is that even though religious groups want these ideas in the media to go away, their actions are having a total opposite effect. But in a similar way, a show/book/movie/idea could be very popular with religious opposition, and very mediocre without it. With all the debate about practices in the Catholic church, money-hungry Christian Evangelists, and cults, the religious community should worry about cleaning up their own image before throwing mud on someone else’s. Everyone should keep in mind that 99% of the time these books and shows are fiction. They are made for entertainment purposes, and if you do not feel entertained by them then stop watching/reading.
I’m a bleeding heart liberal too, I thought the show Book of Daniel was extremely funny. If you watched the show and were disintrested why are you Complaining. Stupid republicans could have complained about the relegious satire, but they also could have thought the show was crappy. Why are you in such protest about a show that you don’t care about?
When I first heard about ‘The Book of Daniel’ the first thought I had was Here we go… Then I saw a commercial about on the satilite a couple of weeks ago, and it looked kind of interesting. A Jesus with a slight sense of humor is a refreshing change to me.
I don’t much care Christian themes usually, being a Pagan has a big part of it (I’ve been told I’m going to hell if I don’t repent so many times that I’m numb and dumb to it
). But I wouldn’t mind watching the show once or twice to see what it was like. Sadly, I don’t get that channel where I live, though. :-S
As for all the issues concerning which Religion is right, and which one is wrong, and all the persecution crap that goes along with it, I try to keep certain quote by Bare Diqum (I believe) in mind:
“We will conserve only what we love;
We will love only what we understand;
And we will understand only what we are taught.”
That hasn’t always been a comfort when I’ve faced Religious Intolerance, but then again, there’s times when you just have to turn the other cheek and catch them in a full moon.
First of all, I’m a Catholic and a Canadian. Don’t know if that makes a difference but there it is. Secondly, if you can’t laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at? I love Catholic (and any religious) jokes, so long as they’re not mean-spirited. It’s a fine line to walk sometimes because everyone has different sensitivities about things. Maybe if we just remember “Judge not, lest ye be judged” and the Golden Rule, which, I understand , is common to many beliefs, we should be OK.
Yay, Jenee !
First time here to your blog, and I am both amused and amazed to find a real, live, mentally stimulating blog ! GASP !
Indeed, the holy rollers feel they have the RIGHT ( nyuk nyuk ) to tell us infidels what to believe. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to watch Daniel yet, I’m sure it must be equally as “good” as Touched By And Angel. Oy, I watched THAT on occasion, which gave me some psychological stress. Truth be told, watching that show gave me the inclination to light myself on fire and stab my eyesockets with a fork. Maybe it’s just me that reacts this way…
LOL!
I think it’s particularly funny when a Catholic Pope refers to a woman’s bleeding rear end as her vagina. LMFAO!
I await South Park’s episode on the mysterious G Spot.
For you religious extremists, go blow smoke up some else’s ass, mine’s bleeding at the moment.