Very quickly, I became an avid fan of “The Book of Daniel” on NBC. And, I have reasons o’plenty for enjoying the show. I work at a church… that stuff about pastors, clergy families, etc., it’s there. While the show’s creator Jack Kenny surely exaggerated things beyond what I know, he brings up an important thought to consider: people in the church, especially those who work in them, face the same kind of life – it’s hard for all of us. But, now, it has been cancelled.

The show gave me so much more faith in humanity… just with the idea that there are people in the secular world who understand Jesus for who he is, and not what the Conservative Coalition has painted him out to be. God is not a dictator, not even a totalitarian being at choice – yes, he could strike down the world at any moment, I’m sure, but that’s not the point. I applauded Kenny’s work, and loved how it showed real life in faith. To me, it made Christianity more relevant to others. Just because you claim to have faith, your life doesn’t automatically become worry/stress/disaster/terror/fear/anger/confrontation-free. It’s a sick, disgusting lie that I’m tired of hearing… I’m also furious that people passed (and many are guilty of continually passing) judgment on something they have no idea about. One of my friends from college told me that she called her NBC affiliate and showed support for cancelling it, because it portrays Christians in a bad light, and it was an attack on Christian morals. However, when I asked her if she had ever seen it, she replied, “No, and I never plan to.”

Message to the Conservative Christian Coalition:
• Stop being pharisees! You’re the exact kind of people that are destroying the Christian faith – not only are you pushing away those who have none, but also those who had great faith.
• Quit making your hateful banner one that spans the entire Christian world. There is no heirarchy of Christians.
• And for the love, God is not a Republican… or a Democrat. So, get off your high horse and realize that faith is not politics.

Don’t get me wrong… I’m glad they have faith. I’m glad that they are excited about the church. But, when you start condemning people for their acts of ‘immorality’ that you claim, I only ask that you tell me why you have the authority to do so. As Jesus so humorously hints to us, get the two-by-four out of your eye before you tell me I’ve got a sawdust speck in mine.

Case in point: I’m tired of feeling embarrassment for being a Christian because of these out-of-hand zealots that are trying to bring on Sodom & Gomorrah for themselves, instead of letting God be God. I realized this more than anything when I was messing around on the boards at website for “The Book of Daniel”. I was appalled at how so-called Christians were touting some and condemning all for watching the show. They carried on the same persona that they did during the 2004 elections. This time, instead of saying that you couldn’t be Christian and vote for Kerry, they’re saying you can’t be Christian and watch this show. I’m sure they’d be completely shocked to know that many of my clergy friends loved it.

According to the right-wing, I guess we should begin preparations for eternal damnation…