Because of viewers' complaints, Indiana TV station rejects series

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) -- An Indiana television station is refusing to air a new NBC series that features Jesus Christ as a supporting character, citing complaints from viewers.
"The Book of Daniel," which debuts today, stars Aidan Quinn as an Episcopal priest who speaks to a physical Jesus Christ.
Duane Lammers, WTWO-TV's general manager, said he was exercising the station's right to reject network programming.
"If my action causes people in our community to pay more attention to what they watch on television, I have accomplished my mission," he said in a statement posted on the station's Web site.
The show has drawn fire from conservative Christians, including the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association.
"We expect other NBC affiliates will join WTWO in their decision," said the AFA's chairman, Donald E. Wildmon. It was not immediately clear whether any other stations planned to do so.
NBC Entertainment President Kevin Reilly told The New York Times last month that the show was intended to be thought-provoking.
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