Reality Television

Some years ago NBC had a television program about an Episcopal Priest. It was called The Book of Daniel. NBC canceled the program after three weeks amidst considerable protest, although the network denied the controversy played a role in their decision.

I watched the two hour premiere, in which we were introduced to Daniel Webster, Episcopal priest. There was an awful lot packed into that premiere. One of Daniel's sons was gay, another adopted with an Asian background. The adopted son had romantic designs on the daughter of a powerful church member. Daniel's daughter was arrested for selling marijuana, the profits of which she used to support her computer animation ambitions. Daniel was trying to build a school for the church but his brother-in-law ran off with the money and ended up dead. Turns out the mob was involved and there seemed to be a relationship between the mob and the Catholic priest in town. The dead man's wife takes up with another woman, and Daniel needs painkillers to get through the day. We also learned that Daniel's father is the Bishop and his mother has Alzheimer's. That explained why Daniel's father is seeing another Church bureaucrat (female if I remember) on the side. Oh, and Daniel talked to Jesus. Jesus sat right next to him in period dress.

Personally I found it all a bit too much to keep straight. But I am not surprised that the American Family Association, among other groups, protested the program. They labeled the program an example of "anti-Christian bigotry" and said it made a mockery of the Christian faith. The point was driven home by an email campaign directed at NBC affiliates. At the time I checked with the station manager of our local NBC affiliate and he reported receiving a few emails, one of which stated that the program "trampled all over the basic sensibilities of anyone who holds the Christian faith as something sacred and dear to them."

I watched the program (and am consulting notes made at that time) and I don't remember seeing the Christian faith, as such, playing a big role. I saw dysfunctional human beings playing out life's drama. What may have fueled the Christian indignation more than anything was the fact that the show's creator and writer is gay, and one of the minister's children was gay.

My point is this: the church is full of dysfunctional people. The ministry is full of dysfunctional people. Whether developing this truth on television is "anti-Christian bigotry" depends upon one's tolerance for human frailty and the depth of one's own self-awareness. I have known ministers whose children have been addicted, gay, and adopted, although I must confess having never known one with all three. I know ministers who struggle with their own weaknesses and vulnerabilities. There are addicted ministers and ministers on pain meds and ministers on anti-depressants. I have no doubt there are ministers who lose their temper, wonder if it is all worth it, and wish they could sit with Jesus as Daniel Webster does.

It is equally true that our churches are full of members who struggle with these same issues. The fact that we are all imperfect does not excuse inappropriate behavior. But to suggest that a program is "anti-Christian" simply because its characters mirror back to us our broken selves belies a fundamental lack of understanding concerning grace and the human condition. People are complex and their motives are complex and, in spite of obvious flaws, The Book of Daniel was trying to explore that point. To those who condemned the program on the basis of its characterizations might want to reacquaint themselves with the story Luke tells about Jesus, the Pharisee, and the sinful woman (Luke 7:36-50). With reference to that text theologian Paul Tillich observed that each of us would be more Christian if more were forgiven us, if we loved more and were better able to resist the temptation to present ourselves as acceptable to God by our own righteousness.

Ministers are not perfect. Church people are not perfect. It may not be on television anymore, but it is reality.