Christian groups pissed off at Doctor Who; note to self, begin watching Doctor Who

From syfyportal, It looks like one religious group and the last surviving member of the sinking of the SS Titanic more than 80 years ago aren't too happy with the Christmas special of "Doctor Who."

The special, which aired Tuesday on BBC, is said to not only feature David Tennant's The Doctor as a "messiah," but also as a way to make light of the sinking of the Titanic.

"The Titanic was a tragedy which tore so many families apart," said Millvina Dean, who at 95 is the last surviving survivor of the Titanic sinking. "I lost my father and he lies on that wreck. I think it is disrespectful to make entertainment of such a tragedy."

Dean is now living the rest of her years in nursing home in Britain's Hampshire, according to Scotland's Daily Record. It's not clear if Dean has spoken out against other dramatized versions of the Titanic sinking in the past, but it's quite clear that "Doctor Who" wasn't the first, and won't be the last to mention the sinking of the Titanic back in 1912. According to Wikipedia, Dean only started to become more involved in Titanic discussions and events over the last 20 years. She was the youngest member on board the Titanic at 2 months old.

The BBC was quick to respond assuring Dean and other fans that "no offense was intended." In fact, the episode isn't even on the real Titanic, as the special actually takes place on a space ship with the same name.

Dean wasn't the only one pitching a fit about the special. Apparently, there is a scene in the episode where The Doctor ascends through the decks of the ship by two robotic angels, and then uses that event to convince the crew that he has the power to save them.

"The series lends itself to religious iconography because The Doctor is a proper saviour," said Russell T. Davies, executive producer of "Doctor Who," according to Britain's Times Online. "He saves the world through the power of his mind and his passion."

Apparently only one entity can have that kind of power on Christmas Day, and that's Jesus, according to Stephen Green of the group Christian Voice.

"The Doctor would have to do a lot more than the usual prancing around to be a messiah," Green said. "He has to save people from their sins."

But not all Christian groups are ready to pounce on The Doctor.

"Science-fiction at its best helps to illuminate eternal themes, and that's something the church can happily work with," said Malcolm Brown, director of mission and public affairs for the Church of England.

The Christmas special "Voyage of the Damned" is expected to air across the pond in the United States in early 2008.