It is heartening to see this sort of reflection by Laura, who writes from a conservative Christian perspective:
Well, The Book of Daniel is closed, but NBC is stepping up to the plate for another swing at Christianity. Britney Spears will guest star on Will and Grace as a Christian conservative sidekick…contributing a cooking segment called “Cruci-fixin’s.â€
Christians will protest furiously if the American Family Association has anything to say about it. And that is our right. However, before we act on this, let’s take a moment to think. It’s ironic that at the same time conservative Christians are signing petitions and blogging in support of Denmark’s right to publish cartoons of Mohammed that offend Muslims, that we are going to scream and yell about a TV show that is not exactly the epitome of Christian values to begin with. I could understand the rationale for protesting The Book of Daniel, even if I didn’t agree with it. The main character was a pastor, and his whole Christian family was so over-the-top dysfunctional that it seemed more like satire than a family drama. But Will and Grace is not a family show. It was never billed as family fare; it has always included adult topics. It certainly doesn’t bill itself as “faith-based.†So why the outrage? Be honest – if they bow to pressure and take out the Cruci-fixin’s segment, will you start watching the show? The vast majority of people who receive the AFA email probably do not watch the show now, and will not ever watch it. It’s already offensive to them because it condones and promotes homosexuality.
It’s not an apples-to-apples comparison to say that Christians are engaging in the hysteria Muslims do where blasphemy or even mild criticism of their religion is concerned. We’re not burning flags, making bomb threats, and threatening to kidnap people. However, of a billion or so Muslims, most of them are not either. They may tacitly agree with it – many have said in interviews or on websites that they find it understandable – but the actions of most are to boycott, sign petitions, and make phone calls. Are they correct in demanding that newspapers refrain from printing cartoons that depict their faith in an unflattering light? Can we demand to be free from the possibility of being offended and still remain a free society?
Let’s keep in mind that the gospel offends. Someday our “freedom†to not be offended by entertainment may turn into someone else’s freedom to not be offended by the gospel.
After looking outward this past week, I’ll be doing a little of my own self-reflection later on today…
I’m glad you were encouraged by the post.
But I do wish you would not call me a fundamentalist. I’m not one. If you have to classify me, just “Christian” would suffice.
By the way, have you heard they are not going to do the crucifixin’s segment? I’m sure all the AFA members will tune in now. You betcha.
Fair enough, although I will tack on the adjective “conservative,” since a number of the positions you articulate on your blog are conservative in nature.
Conservative is definitely fair. And btw, thanks for your comment on my blog; I admitted in my reply that generalizing like that is a cheap tactic. I will work harder to avoid it in the future. I do appreciate the opportunity for civil discourse with someone who is on the opposite side from me on most issues. I’ll be lurking around here more often, it’s very interesting.
Thanks, Laura. I enjoy your blog as well. I don’t know whether to say it’s although I don’t agree with many of your positions or because I don’t agree with many of your positions. You write very well and you provoke a great deal of thought — in me, at least.
In me, too. Thank you, Laura, for a well-balanced, well-written, thought-provoking commentary. While I don’t share most Christian beliefs, I have great respect for fairness and for your ability to effectively make your point.
Well done.