The Book of Daniel Cancelled

In the least surprising news story of the week, controversial NBC show, "The Book of Daniel" was cancelled after four airings. Conservative Christian groups are rushing to the hospital in droves after breaking their arms from patting themselves on the back. The American Family Association had the following statement on its web site: "This shows the average American that he doesn't have to simply sit back and take the trash being offered on TV, but he can get involved and fight back with his pocketbook."

While I think a case can be made for the efforts of activists in getting a show like this shut down, I have been wondering since this whole thing started if we'd just be better off to keep our mouths shut and let bad shows die a natural death. "The Book of Daniel" had 6.9 million viewers for its premier episode, probably fueled a lot by the fact it was getting so much press from the protests of conservative Christian groups. I wonder if it would have cracked 5 million viewers if groups would have ignored it.

I also have to wonder how the cause of Christ was helped or hindered by yet another occasion where the Christian community was spotlighted more for what they were against than what we are for. I'm not saying we shouldn't react when the person, character or legacy of Jesus is misrepresented, I just think we have a way of reacting that paints us as belligerent, unaccepting people who nobody really wants to talk to for fear of being judged and criticized.

Ultimately "The Book of Daniel" was bad art which was doomed to fall based on its own merits (or lack thereof). Because of our reaction as a Christian community, it is now experiencing a notoriety that would have eluded it had we let it die on its own.