NBC Takes Aim

NBC has taken a shot across the bow of Christianity. It’s not a warning shot…but a pot shot.

I would like nothing better than to be able to sit back in 2006 and enjoy the New Year. But I can’t…there’s a culture war going on…and like it or not, Christians are engaged in that war. We have two options…engage the opposition and refuse to give up more territory…or shut up and shut ourselves off from today’s culture. Option 2…isn’t an option.

NBC seems increasingly hostile to family values in general and Christians, Jews and other persons of faith. They demonstrate it regularly with their programming. It’s frequently seen in programs with gratuitous violence and sexual perversion that seems to come from the diaries of some sick, perverted soul. Sometimes it’s a not so subtle jab at Christians by portraying the token Christian as total hypocritical whack job. Let’s not forget the regular diet of criticism and condemnation of Republicans and conservatives that seeps its way into the story lines. Some of these shows include Law & Order, Law & Order SVU, Law & Order Criminal Intent, Medium, Las Vegas, The West Wing…and on, and on. Pick a show…any show.

But NBC has outdone itself with the release of its latest show “The Book of Daniel”. It premiers this Friday, January 6th. Here’s the show description…directly from NBC’s website:

“Emmy nominee Aidan Quinn (“An Early Frost,” “Plainsong,” “Legends of the Fall”) stars as Reverend Daniel Webster, an unconventional Episcopalian minister who not only believes in Jesus - he actually sees him and discusses life with him. Webster is challenged on many levels as he struggles to be a good husband, father and minister, while trying to control a nagging addiction to prescription painkillers, and an often rocky relationship with the church hierarchy, led by Bishop Beatrice Congreve (Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn, “Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore,” “Requiem of a Dream”), Roger Paxton, a senior warden of the parish and stalwart churchgoer (Dylan Baker, “Kinsey,” “Happiness”).

The reverend also has loving, but challenging relationships with his three children: Peter (Christian Campbell, “Trick”), his 23-year-old gay son, who struggles with the loss of his twin brother; Grace (Alison Pill, “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen”), his 16-year-old daughter who doesn't try to push her father's buttons but succeeds at it nonetheless; and Adam (Ivan Shaw, “All My Children”), his 16-year-old adopted Chinese son, a handsome and cocky high school jock with a wicked sense of humor. Keeping Webster grounded is his strong and loving wife Judith (Susanna Thompson, “Now and Again”), who is fighting her own fondness for mid-day martinis, as well as Jesus (Garret Dillahunt, “Deadwood”), whose frequent chats with Daniel serve to remind him of his strengths and weaknesses.”

Some of the details that NBC leaves out of this description about “The Book of Daniel” include: that the 23-year-old son is a homosexual Republican, the 16-year-old daughter is a drug dealer, and a 16-year-old adopted son is having sex with the bishop's daughter. Let’s not forget that the reverend’s secretary is a lesbian and is sleeping with his sister-in-law.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that persons producing, writing, directing and acting in this program…aren’t your typical Bible believing Christians. In fact if they know how to spell the word Christian I would be surprised. Obviously they are not well rooted, grounded and knowledgeable about the Bible.

They are openly hostile towards Christianity. Portraying Christians as hypocrites and actively engaged in sin…sin that God, in no uncertain terms, has condemned in His Word, the Bible.

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. What God called sin in the Bible…remains sin today. Sexual sin including sex outside of marriage, adultery, homosexuality, drug abuse, alcoholism, lying, stealing and murder to name a few…are still considered sin in God’s Word.

By having characters whom are allegedly self professed Christians disregard God’s Word and actively and willfully engage in sin…NBC is spitting on Christians. They see Christians as hypocrites who are no better than the rest of the world who is engaged in the same sins. In fact…the Christian is worse…because they think they are better and judge others…all the while sinning up a storm.

Do Christians sin? Of course they do. But I would advise the Christian that continually and knowingly engages in that which God has declared sin…to examine themselves…to see if they really have a saving faith in Jesus Christ. He takes as we are…sinners. But then His Holy Spirit dwells within us and transforms us daily.

Are there some Christians out there walking very far from Biblical Christianity? Yes! Are there are some of the more liberal denominations that turn a blind eye or even give a nod of approval to sin. Yes! Some denominations have had scandal after scandal in which members of the clergy sexually abuse children…seemingly without consequence. Have we had prominent Christian leaders fall in to sin and their downfall visible to all? Yes!

I have no doubt that Christian sins and public failings contribute to this very cynical and negative view that we see portrayed in the media, more and more.

But NBC has gone too far with “The Book of Daniel”.

The vast majority of Christians in this country are good, decent, honest, hard working people. Not perfect, not sinless…but people who believe in God. The God of the Bible. They believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died to pay the penalty for their sins. Not so they can take sin lightly…but so they can receive forgiveness for their sins and the help to stop sinning. None of us…none but Jesus…will leave this life without sin.

But the characters that are the face Christianity in “The Book of Daniel”…are not Christians. But instead…persons in need of forgiveness and the transforming power of God…through Jesus Christ by the power of His Holy Spirit within us.

So what’s a Christian to do when slapped in the face by a big corporation…who thinks nothing of spitting in the face of Christians? They need to speak out. They need to contact NBC and voice their opposition to this program. Write to or call the chairman of NBC, Bob Wright. Write or call your local NBC affiliate and ask them to not air this program.

If indeed NBC does not back down…and airs this program…get the names of the sponsors and write them. Let them know that while they may not like or respect your faith…that your dollars do count. Your time and viewing habits will be spent on programs that are not an offense to Christianity and persons of faith. That your dollars will be spent on products that don’t back this affront and assault to Christianity.

You can contact Bob Wright at:

Bob Wright, Chairman
NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112
Primary Phone: 212-664-4444
Fax: 212-489-7592
E-Mail: Bob Wright, NBC

Christians…it’s time to get up…and get busy. It’s a New Year…but an old battle continues rage. It’s too important to let the opposition win. Get going…now!