Aarrgghh!!

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The Religous Right is Stupid

It's not because of the views on religion, or the issues, or even Intelligent Design. No, I'm calling them stupid because they are pressuring to NBC affiliates not to air "The Book of Daniel." It's this new show with Aiden Quinn as an Episcopal priest with a disfunctional family. He also talks to Jesus, and Jesus talks back. Groups like James Dobson's Focus on the Family are against it because it portrays Jesus in a less than Christ-like manner. They've even managed to get two stations to drop the show.

Now, I'm disputing their claims. I agree that the project tends to de-Jesufy Jesus. However, I also think the project looks like it's going to suck. Go watch the trailer if you don't believe me (it's linked from the main page.) So it should get terrible ratings right? Not if news outlets are reporting that Christians are boycotting. Now everyone wants to see what the big deal is about.

In short, Religious Right, if you truly want this show to go away, Shut the hell up!


January 5, 2006 Posted by Terrence Ryan at 9:49 PM

Entertainment, Politics, Religion, TV,



Comments

The Religious Right gets millions for its political agendas via bestselling "rapture" books like Tim LaHaye's "Left Behind" volumes. To see the long-covered-up facts about the rapture's 175-year-old history, go to Yahoo and type in "Pretrib Rapture Diehards" (while noting LaHaye's hypocrisy re his son in item "1992"). The RR will stay in power until mainstream scholars begin to carefully analyze and expose the earliest 19th century documents of the rapture's bizarre beginnings. One shock (out of many) the author of the article has brought out: the huge plagiarism in the writings of leading prophecy writers including Lindsey, Falwell, and LaHaye (who keeps on making LaHay while LaSun is shining!). Thanks for your super and thought-provoking blog! Jon


Posted by: Jon Edwards at January 5, 2006 11:38 PM

I'm religious, but I'm not part of the religious right. I'm also not into boycotts. Nor am I real good at shutting up. Here's what I think. When I was a child I was angered because African Americans and Whites could not go into the same resaurants. I wanted to grab all of my African American friends and take them in with me and make them throw us out. They would never come. Instead they just had a sad look on their faces. When I was a young adult I was asked to join a country club and refused because some of my friends could not join. I wanted to bring them as guests, but they knew they would be looked down on. America has not changed, we have just learned which new groups are safer to scapegoat. I didn't like it then. I don't like it now. I realize that the producers say to lighten up, they didn't mean it. I remember adults who used to tell me to lighten up the black "boys" and "n----rs" were good sorts and didn't take it as badly as I did. But it has never been up to the offenders to decide what is offensive. This is not a show that just goes against Christian tastes. It is plain old fashioned bigotry, aimed right at one of America's new targets. It same old, same old, all over again. Excuse it as you will.


Posted by: Rob Kirkham at January 6, 2006 1:14 AM

Aarrgghh Guy! Jon: That the concept of the rapture is relatively young does not immediately negate it. While I don't believe in the rapture, I respect the belief. I do take issue that those that believe in the rapture are trying to hasten it, at the expense of the world the rest of us live in. "You shall not know the hour or the day..." I forget the part that says "But you can hurry it up if you like."




Posted by: Terrence Ryan at January 6, 2006 8:10 PM

Aarrgghh Guy! Rob: I do not have a problem with the religious groups involved because they are offended by the show. I do have a problem that they are giving press coverage to a show that looks so terrible it would be canceled except that the media coverage from their boycotts will give it more attention.

And frankly I have no problem with bigotry against these folks. They themselves are bigotted, their treatment of homosexuals is deplorable. I have no problem with making fun of the KKK, I've got no problem of making fun of James Dobson's ilk.




Posted by: Terrence Ryan at January 6, 2006 8:19 PM

Want a laugh? Google "It's the Rapture, Stupid!" What an eye-opening piece! Lou


Posted by: Lou at November 27, 2006 2:51 AM

Posted by Who at May 17, 2008 7:18 AM

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