BROADCAST TV'S GLORY DAYS

Network television's 11th Commandment: "Thou shalt not address religion." Of course, rules were made to be broken, especially when it comes to Christianity. Here are 12 examples of network TV taking a leap of faith:

"A Charlie Brown Christmas Special" (Dec. 9, 1965): Charles Schulz insisted that Linus read Luke's gospel account of the birth of Jesus. That recitation is now as much a part of the holiday as Santa Claus and auntie's fruitcake.

"All in the Family" (Jan. 12, 1971): Archie Bunker railed against liberal ministers, atheism and Judaism in the pilot episode of this groundbreaking series.

"The Ten Commandments" (Feb. 18, 1973): ABC started its annual tradition of airing the Cecil DeMille classic, assuring that Yul Brynner and Edward G. Robinson would always be part of our Easter celebration.

"WKRP in Cincinnati" (Dec. 31, 1979): Johnny Fever is convinced that God has spoken to him and instructed him to become ... a golf pro.

"M*A*S*H" (April 6, 1981): Father Mulcahy goes overboard in prepping the camp for a cardinal's visit in "Blood Brothers," leading to a teary-eyed confession from the pulpit about his selfishness.

"Hill Street Blues" (Sept. 30, 1982): In the series' most riveting episode, "Trial by Fury," Capt. Furillo breaks all the rules to apprehend two men who raped and murdered a nun. The hour ends with Furillo praying for his sins in a confessional.

"Saturday Night Live" (Oct. 3, 1992): Nothing compares to Sinead O'Connor's a cappella performance of Bob Marley's "War," which concluded with the singer ripping up a picture of Pope John Paul II.

"The Simpsons" (Oct. 8, 1992): In "Homer the Heretic," our hero attempts to start his own religion. After failing, he's consoled by God, who starts to reveal the meaning of life, only to be interrupted by the closing credits.

"My So-Called Life" (Dec. 22, 1994): An angel (Julianna Hatfield) teaches the Chase family about love and loss in the episode titled "My So-Called Angels," one of TV's most powerful hours.

"Everybody Loves Raymond" (Jan. 31, 2000): In "Prodigal Son," Ray feels guilty about skipping church -- until he learns that his father is using an usher's job for less-than-charitable reasons.

"The West Wing" (May 21, 2001): Facing both personal and political tragedies, President Bartlet unleashes his anger toward God in "Two Cathedrals," ending his tirade by rubbing out a cigarette on the floor of a church.

"Family Guy" (Oct. 5, 2008): Peter Griffin befriends Jesus Christ in "I Dream of Jesus," but the Holy Child abandons him for wild parties alongside Lindsay Lohan. Definitely not coming to a Sunday school near you.

NEAL JUSTIN