The American Spectator

p> JESUS IN SANDALS br> Re: Carol Platt Liebau’s The Problem With The Book of Daniel : /p> p>I love the bravery of the “entertainment” community. Over here in the UK we were recently treated to the Magic of Jesus on ITV Channel 4. The breezy premise of this show was the following: two comic magicians would re-create the miracles of Jesus. Water to wine, raising the dead, walking on water and even making a virgin pregnant. This of course was slated for prime time during the Christmas holiday. As an agnostic the miracles really are of no meaning to me. But I do recognize the reality of Christianity as an important driver of the free, secular, Western society that I enjoy. I also believe that because I do not believe I have no immediate right to make sport of other people’s beliefs. I call that good manners. Back to the bravery comment. I will be impressed when the arts and entertainment folks come out with a sitcom poking fun at another grand religious tradition — Islam. Don’t hold your breath. They bite. br> — Ron Pettengill br> London, United Kingdom /p>

Perhaps NBC would understand why we are offended if they were to imagine The Book of Daniel in black face. Imagine the former NBC drama, The Cosby Show, where instead of the fine work by Bill Cosby and his cast, America was shown an allegedly “typical” African-American family. The father is a medical doctor who takes drugs, smokes, drinks, and swears. He supports homosexuality, drug use, and freely breaks the law by giving prescription drugs to his friends. Everyone commits adultery. The children sell street drugs. The maid smokes pot. The few people not on drugs are alcoholics. The only characters with any redeeming qualities are lesbian or homosexual; everyone else is a hypocrite.

p>If such a show were to air, it would be ridiculed far and wide as racist bigotry. Why then isn’t