Posted on 01/05/2006 8:02:03 AM PST by SmithL
Hundreds of offended East Tennessee Christians are asking WBIR, Channel 10, not to air a controversial NBC drama premiering Friday that features Jesus as a character.
Station management said it will decide today whether to air "The Book of Daniel," an hourlong soap opera that depicts a pill-popping minister who has conversations with Jesus.
On Wednesday, NBC affiliate WTWO in Terre Haute, Ind., was the first station in the country to announce it will not be airing "Daniel."
WBIR has received more than 350 e-mails after commercials began airing in recent weeks. Jeff Lee, WBIR general manager, said the overwhelming majority of them are asking that "Daniel" not be shown here.
The e-mails were spurred mainly from two sources.
One group saw commercials for the show and wrote to the station. Another faction responded in support of a national campaign against the show launched by conservative watchdog group the American Family Association.
Responding to the e-mails, WBIR had a private screening Wednesday of the first episode. Around a half-dozen Knoxville Christians, invited by Lee, watched the program that stars Aidan Quinn as the Rev. Daniel Webster, an Episcopal minister who has secret meetings with Jesus Christ.
Webster's harried home life includes an adopted teenage son with an overactive libido, a daughter who is arrested for selling marijuana and a gay son going through an identity crisis.
In the first episode, Webster tells his congregation not to feel bad for yielding to temptation.
After the screening, the group agreed "Daniel" was offensive to them and their faith. They also thought the show should not air in Knoxville.
The Rev. John Stuart of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville circulated an e-mail against the show a few weeks ago, and he was among those at the screening.
"Now that I have seen it, I want to send more e-mails out," said Stuart, who said he did not like the show's statements about theology.
However, the group also conceded that WBIR would also be facing a business decision and possible monetary loss if the program doesn't air.
If "Daniel" does not air in Knoxville, it would be the second NBC program in recent memory to be yanked locally because of community concerns.
Lee said the station declined to show a special centered on the magazine Maxim a few years ago. That special featured scantily clad women modeling.
Following the screening, Chris Johnson, a Knoxville-based Web designer, said he was prompted to take action. He plans to e-mail at least 50 people and spread his negative opinion of the show.
"I am not a bandwagon person," said Johnson. "I don't believe just because everybody says the emperor has clothes that the emperor has clothes.
"That's not me. I thought I would read the reviews and check the promos. I (wanted to) go to the screening with an open mind. I wanted to see if it was just hype by people who are just zealous (and) wanted something to fuss about."
I have been participating in the American Family Association effort to keep this piece of anti-Christian filth off of the airwaves.
If you'd like to help, click here.
Two local stations have already agreed not to air the show, and I am informed that NBC is having considerable difficulty selling advertising for the program.
We are having an effect, and must continue to pressure NBC nationally and locally not to air!
So, take a moment and help us shut this one down.
Thank you.
is it really that bad, or offensive....I have only heard from my inlaws, who jumped on this as well....
There is a lot on TV that I don't like so I don't watch it. If you don't like it block the channel. If the show is that bad it will be cancelled after a few shows.
You posted without comment, just curious what your thoughts are on the over all matter?
BTW, Happy New Year.
I fully expect most all Network TV shows to be anti-conservative, anti-American, and anti-Christian. I find them to be tasteless, insulting and/or irritating, and most of all, non-entertaining. I don't boycott, but I usually don't bother watching. I'd much rather spend my entertainment time with y'all.
Oh yeah, Happy New Year to you, too.
I actually thought that this might be your answer. Frankly I do agree with you. However, I also think I can decide on my own what I choose to watch by using that old fashion clicker. I also think sharing my disdain with the advertisers is another excellent way to make my voice heard.
I do think it is great that folks who feel the way they do decided to take on the station. Their kids should be proud.
"Daniel" is an hourlong soap opera that depicts a pill-popping minister who has conversations with Jesus.
On Wednesday, NBC affiliate WTWO in Terre Haute, Ind., was the first station in the country to announce it will not be airing "Daniel." Other stations across the country wrestled with the decision as well on Thursday.
WBIR has received more than 350 e-mails after commercials began airing in recent weeks. Jeff Lee, WBIR general manager, said the overwhelming majority of them are asking that "Daniel" not be shown here.
The e-mails were spurred mainly from two sources.
One group saw commercials for the show and wrote to the station. Another faction responded in support of a national campaign against the show launched by conservative watchdog group the American Family Association.
Responding to the e-mails, WBIR had a private screening Wednesday of the first episode. Around a half-dozen Knoxville Christians, invited by Lee, watched the program that stars Aidan Quinn as the Rev. Daniel Webster, an Episcopal minister who has secret meetings with Jesus Christ.
Webster's harried home life includes an adopted teenage son with an overactive libido, a daughter who is arrested for selling marijuana and a gay son going through an identity crisis.
In the first episode, Webster tells his congregation not to feel bad for yielding to temptation.
After the screening, the group agreed "Daniel" was offensive to them and their faith. They also thought the show should not air in Knoxville.
The Rev. John Stuart of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville circulated an e-mail against the show a few weeks ago, and he was among those at the screening.
"Now that I have seen it, I want to send more e-mails out," said Stuart, who said he did not like the show's statements about theology.
However, the group also conceded that WBIR would also be facing a business decision and possible monetary loss if the program doesn't air.
Lee said the station declined to show a special centered on the magazine Maxim a few years ago. That special featured scantily clad women modeling.
Following the screening, Chris Johnson, a Knoxville-based Web designer, said he was prompted to take action. He plans to e-mail at least 50 people and spread his negative opinion of the show.
"I am not a bandwagon person," said Johnson. "I don't believe just because everybody says the emperor has clothes that the emperor has clothes.
"That's not me. I thought I would read the reviews and check the promos. I (wanted to) go to the screening with an open mind. I wanted to see if it was just hype by people who are just zealous (and) wanted something to fuss about."
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