Several things I don't believe
An open letter to WTWO, in response to the decision not to air the NBC production The Book of Daniel, in the context of a campaign against the production by the American Family Association.
Greetings,
I do not believe that the NBC Production The Book of Daniel was demeaning to Christians or Christianity, as claimed by the "American Family Association" (AFA). Quite the contrary. Among other things, it dramatically depicted a man with a dynamic and deeply personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through which he understands that despite the limitations of his human understanding, there is nothing that can separate a person from the love of God.
I also do not believe that the campaign that the "American Family Association" is conducting against this production is in the best interests of America, families, or Christians.
First, the campaign is not in the best interests of the United States of America. A recurring theme in our nation's history is the immigration of people fleeing nations in which they were not able to speak freely about religion. This theme is both cause and consequence of the freedoms of speech and freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution, which our elected officials and military service members swear to uphold and defend against all enemies foreign and domestic.
Second, the campaign is not in the best interests of families. As a husband and father, I relish the opportunity to discuss difficult and controversial issues at home. I like to think that I have some insights worth sharing with my wife and five year old son. I can say with certainty that I learn a lot by letting my wife poke holes in my pet philosophies, and that there is no better way for me to clarify my own thinking about a complex subject than to explain it to my son. Right now he and I have plenty to talk about with balancing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "O Come, O Come, Emanuel," but eventually I look forward to watching shows like The Book of Daniel with him and having deep discussions about them afterwards.
Third, the campaign is not in the best interests of Christians. Those who profess Christianity are called both to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek continually to deepen their personal relationship with the God of Christ. The discussion of difficult contemporary issues is an outstanding opportunity for both. For example, a Christian who has seen the show could engage as an equal participant in a coffee break conversation about it, and thereby use it as an entry point to share the good news. On the other hand, a Christian who hasn't seen the production but chooses to quote the exaggerations, half-truths, and misinformation from the AFA website is sure to come off looking like a fanatic. Likewise, Christians gathered together who have the shared experience of watching the program could learn from each other by discussing its strengths and weaknesses, and thereby help each other in their faith journeys. Those gathered together who choose to discuss the program without having seen it are simply rumor-mongering.
On a final note, I also do not believe that the WTWO decision against airing the production was independent of the AFA's campaign against it, as suggested by some of Duane Lammers' statements. If he merely intended to demonstrate his independence from the network, then his choice of programming not to air seems arbitrary at best and suspiciously coincidental at worst. My speculation is that the truth lies somewhere in between these two extremes, and that his statements came from the heart in the midst of a personal struggle to rationalize his decision. With that as my working assumption, I pray that he will eventually come to fully understand the process that led him to this decision. I also pray that he will realize that the decision was not in the best interests of his station, his viewers, or his community. Finally, I pray that he will experience the peace that comes from knowing that nothing we do can separate us from the love of God.
Larry Merkle
2122 N. 11th St.
Terre Haute, IN 47804
Greetings,
I do not believe that the NBC Production The Book of Daniel was demeaning to Christians or Christianity, as claimed by the "American Family Association" (AFA). Quite the contrary. Among other things, it dramatically depicted a man with a dynamic and deeply personal relationship with Jesus Christ, through which he understands that despite the limitations of his human understanding, there is nothing that can separate a person from the love of God.
I also do not believe that the campaign that the "American Family Association" is conducting against this production is in the best interests of America, families, or Christians.
First, the campaign is not in the best interests of the United States of America. A recurring theme in our nation's history is the immigration of people fleeing nations in which they were not able to speak freely about religion. This theme is both cause and consequence of the freedoms of speech and freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution, which our elected officials and military service members swear to uphold and defend against all enemies foreign and domestic.
Second, the campaign is not in the best interests of families. As a husband and father, I relish the opportunity to discuss difficult and controversial issues at home. I like to think that I have some insights worth sharing with my wife and five year old son. I can say with certainty that I learn a lot by letting my wife poke holes in my pet philosophies, and that there is no better way for me to clarify my own thinking about a complex subject than to explain it to my son. Right now he and I have plenty to talk about with balancing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "O Come, O Come, Emanuel," but eventually I look forward to watching shows like The Book of Daniel with him and having deep discussions about them afterwards.
Third, the campaign is not in the best interests of Christians. Those who profess Christianity are called both to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and to seek continually to deepen their personal relationship with the God of Christ. The discussion of difficult contemporary issues is an outstanding opportunity for both. For example, a Christian who has seen the show could engage as an equal participant in a coffee break conversation about it, and thereby use it as an entry point to share the good news. On the other hand, a Christian who hasn't seen the production but chooses to quote the exaggerations, half-truths, and misinformation from the AFA website is sure to come off looking like a fanatic. Likewise, Christians gathered together who have the shared experience of watching the program could learn from each other by discussing its strengths and weaknesses, and thereby help each other in their faith journeys. Those gathered together who choose to discuss the program without having seen it are simply rumor-mongering.
On a final note, I also do not believe that the WTWO decision against airing the production was independent of the AFA's campaign against it, as suggested by some of Duane Lammers' statements. If he merely intended to demonstrate his independence from the network, then his choice of programming not to air seems arbitrary at best and suspiciously coincidental at worst. My speculation is that the truth lies somewhere in between these two extremes, and that his statements came from the heart in the midst of a personal struggle to rationalize his decision. With that as my working assumption, I pray that he will eventually come to fully understand the process that led him to this decision. I also pray that he will realize that the decision was not in the best interests of his station, his viewers, or his community. Finally, I pray that he will experience the peace that comes from knowing that nothing we do can separate us from the love of God.
Larry Merkle
2122 N. 11th St.
Terre Haute, IN 47804
posted by ManOfManyInterests at 11:22 PM
0 comments
