The Book of Daniel

I am a female, Christian, southern, moderate and I love this show. Anyone who rails against it just doesn't know what they are talking about & probably hasn't even seen it. It is intelligently written, has a great story line,is not anti-Christian and the actors are great. I especially love Aiden Quinn. He makes the perfect priest, caring, sensitive to his parishioners needs. He is not supposed to be perfect. Who is? For anyone that doesn't like the show, they should just turn it off. They don't have to watch. Why spoil it for those who enjoy watching the show. Life is not perfect so why should it be depicted that way? I was shocked and extremely disappointed when I saw the news that this week's episode had been replaced. I was so looking forward to the next chapter.

This is one of the best premieres since "Desperate Housewives". Edgy as an HBO show, spiritual as 7th Heaven, and as beautifully dysfunctional as Six Feet Under. Aiden Quinn brings an offbeat rudder to this ship of wonderfully happy dysfunctional family. A talented cast of familiar faces play straight men to the priest and his tribe. A spiritual adviser offers well placed advice which, I'm sure, puts the Christian right on edge. Ellen Bursten is rediscovered as the pill popping Bishop while the acceptance of the gay son is the first truly poignant integration of a true gay role in a true family.

The closest drama to a true reality show on television. Welcome back NBC

Finally---a realistic look at "church" in America: an often unholy sometimes ungodly mix of church politics, dysfunction and human frailty. A few fundamentalist preachers will rant, aghast, from the pulpit tomorrow (Sunday, Jan. 8, 2006) about this premiere and bandy about such terms as heresy and blasphemy without a notion of their true meaning, or diplomas from accredited institutions of higher learning. But a majority of thinking Christians (and Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists and agnostics) will recognize a story about people easy to care about, who remind us that life isn't about halos and wings and covered dish suppers--it's about struggle, addiction, suffering, disappointment, redemption, and love.

Presented in a genius blend of outrageous fortune and unexpected moments of grace, The Book of Daniel is a reason to stay home on Friday nights.

I've heard all the bad press on this "anti-Christian" show. Well, I am a Christian. I am also a conservative, real conservative. I find myself loving old reruns and old movies quite a bit and disliking "modern" shows more and more. Yet, I'm still trying to decide where I stand on this show. I actually recorded it so I could watch w/o missing anything.

Something I loved was when Daniel asks Jesus if he is chosen, since Jesus so often talks with him. Jesus responds. that he talks to most people, but most don't listen. As a Christian, I can totally agree with that concept. I also love Daniels apparent practice of grace. Grace is the concept that allows Christians to accept people without judgment. But, it's one thing not to judge people, it's quite another to let someone play with fire, w/o telling them they'll be burned.

For example, when that engaged couple comes to him for counseling. My church and most other churches will tell the couple that sex before marriage is wrong, instead he gives them advice less out of the Bible, and more out of Dr. Ruth's handbook.

Outside of my Christian viewpoint, I've one other criticism of the show. It's trying too hard. This one family has a gay son, another son that has sex with every girl he meets, a daughter that is dealing drugs, a father/husband that appears to have an addiction to his pain pills, an alcoholic wife/mother, a lesbian sister in law, a mother/grandmother that has Alzhimers--sorry for the spelling on that one-, a father/grandfather that may be having an affair, and a best friend with mob connections.

SLOW DOWN!!!! I know that we all have problems, but egad, can't they let someone be normal.

I am glad of the positive portrayal of Jesus though. Was I the only one that noticed he was wearing a seat belt?

I liked the show.

I watched the first two episodes and was pleasantly surprised. My husband came home and started watching in the middle of it, he got all caught up in it. Luckily I had recorded it and I had to rewind it to catch him up. It had much more humor in it than I was expecting it too.

It was a drama/comedy and I will keep watching.

I was expecting it to be much more serious and not so lighthearted. I was also afraid that I would hate the scenes where he chats with Jesus, but found that they were actually enjoyable. I also liked the way Aidan Quinn dealt with all the problems he had going on at once and could still deal with his family. I have liked Aidan for many years and think he is very good in this part.