James Dobson: Out of Step with Evangelicals?

Dr. James Dobson is out of line and I honestly believe that he should just retire and enjoy life and happiness. I am a Christian and believe in God. My faith is very strong. The picture I see here is a "false teacher" - the type Christ Jesus warned about us over 2000 years ago.

Thank you for a well thought-out article. I have been so turned off for the past few years by Dobson types telling me how to worship. I can't count the times I have been lectured by the right wing both publicly and privately about my politcal choices. People who would not deign to enter the church where my husband and worship faithfully resort to telling me how to worship. We need a new attitude about Christianity. The purpose is to win souls to Christ, not disdain their efforts.

I believe that Dobson may have done Obama a real favor by calling attention to Obama's "Call to Renewal" speech. I discovered the speech on YouTube a few months ago and have been recommending it to people as possibly the most remarkable speech on politics and religion given by a politician in a generation. It's a tribute to Obama that his stature grows as his opponents criticize him.

Worthless Theology:
"Pagan, you wrote that you thought it "harsh" that I would say Ms. Thistlewaite's theology is worthless if it teaches everyone is going to heaven?

Let me ask you this.

If a building were on fire and there was only one way out, which would be more harsh? To show someone that one way out, or to let that person try to find his own way at the risk of burning in the fire?"

Ah, Worthless Theology, perhaps it would be a good idea to check and see if the building was really on fire, first.

Try as I might, I cannot conceive of a God who would create a people, grant them intelligence and free will, and then make them burn forever in torment for using what God gave them. "Obey Me and love Me or die" is spoken by an abuser, not a God. If you wish to see the Divine as an abusive parent, you are free to do so. The God that I experience every day is not so small.

Jeremiah Wright might have put forth some unsavory rhetoric to make his spiritual points. The Bible is not above making some unsavory points either with some disturbing writing, most of which has never been heard in a pulpit before. Preachers would blanch to read some of these passages.

Dobson, as part of the priviledged white population in America and a Christian, has no excuses to offer for his open hostility to other Christians and/or non-Christians. He has lived the promised land experience for a long time.

Of the two, I know which is the sheep and which is the goat for sake of comparison, not for the sake of salvation. Do you? I believe that based on the testimony of both men that they are Christians. But like most Christians that are caught up in political discourse, the end result is not a pretty thing. Therefore, I do believe in the separation of church and state as the best alternative to a government headed by God (Jesus) himself. God picked out a king because the people wanted one. King Saul turned out to be a real disaster. Then look at King David. What a scoundrel! If God can choose them like this, man has not a chance. The religious right gave us "W." I rest my case. Forget the character issue as long as the Constitution of the United States applies to the qualifications of the person running for President and look at the politics. You are voting for a political leader, not a spiritual leader. If I were to vote for a spiritual leader, it would be Billy Graham. Second place would probably go to either Joel Osteen or Andy Stanley. I have the choice to vote for a spiritual leader every Sunday by the path my feet go as I go to church. If I make the wrong choice for President on election day, I am stuck for 4 years.

Fred said:

"Funny how those on the left love their freedom of speech, but when someone they disagree with chooses to exercise that freedom they cry foul."

I guess that those on the right do not love their freedom of speech?! The ones on the right are the ones that launch the most dastardly of accusations and then have the audacity to stand behind these same accusations even when proved patently false. It is the Bush White House and the Rove politics that have taught us how to attack every word that is believed to be unfavorable to the current administration.

Example: The press is afraid to say that the war in Iraq was over when the President spoke under the "Mission Accomplished" banner and said as much years ago. They must say "major combat operations were over." Talk about freedom of the press! Give me a break. If the press has to quote the same junk over and over, where is the freedom?

If you want to hear expressed opinions that often cross the line of decency, honesty, and integrity, just listen to Rush, Bill, and Ann. I rest my case. I feel sorry for the people who worship at the altars of these paragons of supposed virtue, as well as the many others - left and right- that are out there who are laughing all the way to the bank.

Now, who would Jesus listen to if he were here today? Be honest. Maybe more important, where would Jesus be and what would he be doing?

I just cannot believe that a person from the right would accuse the left of taking offense. This is certainly a case of "the pot calling the kettle black." To quote from a book title, this is audacity!

Worthless Theology, if it wasn't for heaven dangling like a carrot on a stick in front of you, and the the threat of that scary hell fire that you seem to be pretty concerned about, would you remain a Christian?

Pagan, you wrote that you thought it "harsh" that I would say Ms. Thistlewaite's theology is worthless if it teaches everyone is going to heaven?

Let me ask you this.

If a building were on fire and there was only one way out, which would be more harsh? To show someone that one way out, or to let that person try to find his own way at the risk of burning in the fire?

Dobson is a white version of Rev. Wright speaking to outrage the masses for his own glory. They are both ignorant bigots who have no place in American politics. Unfortunately, they both have mindless lemmings who hang on their every word. Take away their tax exempt status and register them for what they are: extremist 527's

Funny how those on the left love their freedom of speech, but when someone they disagree with chooses to exercise that freedom they cry foul.

I say the more voices the better. If you don't like what Dobson has to say, so be it. He's still a free citizen and as such has the right to speak freely.

Likewise, if you don't like what Obama says or his view of Christianity, then don't vote for the man.

Let's keep it a free country.

Hooray! I have believe in the intellect and it's ability to pull one out of"'life eddies" that stop one from experiencing the whole banana!!!!

all of us will wake up when the big alarm clock goes off...

we are blinded by our own light!

Hooray! I have believe in the intellect and it's ability to pull one out of"'life eddies" that stop one from experiencing the whole banana!!!!

all of us will wake up when the big alarm clock goes off...

we are blinded by our own light!

Obama has said for that for him Jesus is the only way to heaven, but it is not his place to make judgments for other.

Whatever Obama believes, it is not right for people to continue asking him about Jesus. It is an issue of separation of church and state. Even if he believes it, a politician cannot say that someone is going to hell because they do not believe Jesus is the only way.

There are many religions in the US, we were founded on the principle of freedom of religion.

Why don't people ask McCain why he has never been baptized in the Southern Baptise church, which he only started saying he was a Baptise after the campaign began.

Obama has said for that for him Jesus is the only way to heaven, but it is not his place to make judgments for other.

Whatever Obama believes, it is not right for people to continue asking him about Jesus. It is an issue of separation of church and state. Even if he believes it, a politician cannot say that someone is going to hell because they do not believe Jesus is the only way.

There are many religions in the US, we were founded on the principle of freedom of religion.

Why don't people ask McCain why he has never been baptized in the Southern Baptise church, which he only started saying he was a Baptise after the campaign began.

To Dorian Brown,

To base your judgment about Barack's and Michelle's Christianity on their particular church membership is to totally ignore their personal testimonies. I am very thankful that God knows the heart, not the outward appearance. You associate the "character" of one's church as the criterion for judging one's Christianity. I grew up in a white church that did not allow Blacks to worship there. I came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in this setting. I also know much more now about God's love for all people than I understood by association then. I did not turn out too bad. I am certainly not as prejudiced and bigoted as some of my fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. By the way, I am Southern Baptist, but I do not agree with some of the positions of my church. I keep praying for change.

To Dorian Brown,

To base your judgment about Barack's and Michelle's Christianity on their particular church membership is to totally ignore their personal testimonies. I am very thankful that God knows the heart, not the outward appearance. You associate the "character" of one's church as the criterion for judging one's Christianity. I grew up in a white church that did not allow Blacks to worship there. I came to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ in this setting. I also know much more now about God's love for all people than I understood by association then. I did not turn out too bad. I am certainly not as prejudiced and bigoted as some of my fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. By the way, I am Southern Baptist, but I do not agree with some of the positions of my church. I keep praying for change.

I AGREE! Well written and easily understood. The lock of the religious right with the Republican Party ultimately diluted the effect of the religious right and has trapped their message in a box. I can see Jesus just shaking his head. Obama is in touch with current Christin thought. He knows the basics of Christianity along with contemporary applications of Christian ideals. Obama is a genuine representative of our Lord in the very difficult area of national politics. Yes, all people must be respected and all opinions must be heard. Obama is leading the way. May his campaign continue to be a strong testimony for the God that he serves. As Obama continues to reach more and more people with his style and his openness, the religious right and the hard-core conservatives will throw the kitchen sink at him. They have already shown that they will continue spreading untruths about Obama's faith and background. Certainly, the nature of the attacks on Obama by the religious right is not Christ-like.

Why do I never see mainstream, education Christian theologians like you on cable news programs and Larry King Live? For the past few decades, the most public voices and faces of Christianity have been those of Dobson, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell.

Interviewers like Larry King even treat them as the authentic and authorized spokespeople for Christian beliefs. I would like to see and hear sharper condemnations from educated theologians of the fundamentalist fringe and their reactionary views. Their ignorance of factual matters could be easily exposed, and that exposure would enlighten the general public. Having studied medieval history in college, even I know more about Christian theology and history than these self-appointed spokespeople.

I have totally lost the majority of respect I once held for James Dobson. I can't believe that a learned theologian and a supposed man of faith, not to mention a person with a doctorate in family counseling, could be so narrow minded judgemental, and incredibly unfair. It's almost as if James Dobson now thinks the Judgement Seat of Christ is in his charge. Not only is what he released false and unbalanced, it is steeped in the Southern Baptist interpretation of the Bible and dogma (man made ideology).

What Obama said in his speech in 2006 and in the Chapter on faith in his Writing, 'The Audacity of Hope', was not only thought provoking but, practical. Ministers and teachers of the Word in churches could stand to listen and take note at what the senator has said. Because most ministers and teachers of the word are so rigid and pharisiacally religious and judgemental in their leanings, they can't even let God out of the Box they've put Him in. It's as though God who is supposed to be Omnipotent, (all powerful), Omniscient (all knowing), and Omnipresent (everywhere) can only do what they believe and only what the Bible says. Yet, if God is all that the Bible says he is and if we (men/women) are created in his image...Why wouldn't it be possible and even neccessary at sometimes to check, that religious, rigid, pharisical, judgemental leaning of ours at the door, and use our God given judgement without trying to govern our nation as though we were commanded as Israel is.

Two examples of this are, 1. David during war allowed his men to eat the consecrated bread, which was only for the priest. God did not punish David nor his men for breaking this Law. 2. Jesus allowed his disciples to pick for themselves food to eat on the Sabbath, which as the self-righteous pharisees reminded them, was unlawful to do. Yet Christ said, "The Son of man is also Lord of the Sabbath."

God didn't say the USA shall run by this rule and that rule. God didn't say what I believe is what I should legislate. Remember, Senator Barack Obama is a Harvard Professor of the Constitution. You had the audacity Dr. Dobson, to insult Senator Obama about what he not only knows, yet is a professor who teaches it. Where is your humility?

The Constitution was written basically, so unlike England, The law of Church, taxation without representation, etc. would not necessarily need to be the Law of The Land. So we could worship and live as we pleased under God.

That's where I think many Neo-Con's and ultra Religious men like James Dobson phd have got it all WRONG. Their thinking, believing it was the will of God, helped Usher President George W. Bush into a position which he abused to aid the ultra wealthy, decieve the nation into a war, and the murders of millions of innocent Iraqis, and thousands of innocent american and coalition fighters, and bring our nation to the brink of bankruptcy. We're broke. We are in Debt. Imagine, if Japan and most of the othe European and Islamic oil rich nations, divested their investments in our country all of a sudden. I mean, pulled their money. Imagine the crash of oiur nation. James Dobson and his great influence needs to remember he would be partially responsible for what would happen.

Dr. Dobson it is your religious leanings and opinion which influenced millions of gullible sincere religious americans to hurl this Monster George W. Bush into power and allowed him to cause this and many other crimes of wars. If anything Sir, you need to be silent, repent, and try and learn from your mistakes, grab a note pad and learn from the laymen Senator Barack Obama...The next president of the United States.

Mr. Dobson is part of the real problem of
contemporary Christians. He preaches a
Gospel of Hatred, and picks and chooses
what he wants to prove his point. Maybe
he needs to go back to seminary and relearn
this line of scripture:

" Judge not, lest Ye be Judged !

Why are so many people leaving organized
religion ? Because it's simply about money,
power, and control. People love to hear
Joel preach too, but his message is more of
a "Christian massage" to me.

None the less, my God is a loving, caring
God, who died for me and everyone and He made
me the why I am, and He does not make mistakes !

Any person who states that homosexual behavior or having an abortion is not sinful is NOT professing a Christian principal OR truth. This fact is obvious to anyone who can read the Bible, the New Testament, and the first 1,900 years of mainline Christian writings, and who cares to honestly engage his brain with the ideas those writings contain.

Dobson is a crackpot. He's a bigot who in an earlier time would wear a white sheet while carrying a buring cross.

Barbara, from my understanding James Dobson is questioning Obama's christianity due to his comments that all roads lead to heaven (all religions). If you're a Christian, do you believe that? Also, doesn't the bible state by their fruit you shall know them. Are we not to make judgements on morality; Isn't that the essence of Matthew 7:1 or did we change it to be tolerant to everyone's sense of conscience through social eyes and not spritual eyes. We, as Christians are called to follow Jesus' footsteps. Did HE ever say, all roads lead to heaven. Didn't He actually say: I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIGHT; NO MAN COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME. HE ALSO SAID: Enter through the narrow gate for broad is the gate that leads to destruction and many enter through that gate.

I grew up with Dobson and I'm sorely disappointed to see the direction his ministry has taken. For a Christian leader to attack the nature of - and question the sincerity of - another believer's faith is the utmost in divisiveness, presumption, and hubris. Last I checked none of those was among the fruits of the Spirit.

Color me unimpressed, Dr. Dobson.

Thank goodness for ministers like Jim Wallis who aren't afraid to speak up for all of us who disagree with Dobson's confused interpretation of the fusion of faith and politics.

Barbara
republicansforobama.org

I would also like to say: most professing Christians may be out of step w/Jesus' teaching: No man comes to the father except through ME (HIM). How about repentance; worldly sorrow. Again, Maybe the majority of "professing" Christians are out of step with the true gospel.

>>> "Evangelical Manifesto indicate that Evangelicals are increasingly resentful at being treated as an arm of the Republican party."

The fact that you would use this in relation to Dr. Dobson is absurd and proves you have no right to judge that wich you haven't researched. If you would listen to any of Dobson discussions on politics, you would see he cares not for party -wich makes him a target many times. This is the ignorance we continue to see in all forms of media.

Dobson is equally guilty of rewriting the Bible to suit his whims, as explained here: http://www.heterodoxy.com/societyofchristians/blog.html#080624

Agreed. Evangelicals are out of step with America. The Republican embrace of their narrow-minded view of morality will result in 40 years of wandering the political wilderness for worshiping false idols. Good Riddance.

Ms. Thistlewaite, Jesus spoke about what I'm seeing now. Matthew 8:22 - All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 8:38; If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels. Most Christians are ashamed of the gospel. They sugar coat it: It's the norm: 8So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. Does truth and doctrine matter anymore or is it unity w/out salvation. Jesus and Paul warned about this new "false" gospel; Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

I will continue to pray for those of you who are ashamed of the gospel and pray for boldness for those who are being persecuted for standing up for truth.

James Dobson: continue to preach the Word.

Good idea, Reverend. Let's ignore the theologically-based political arguments of all preachers who do not command the loyalty of a majority of Americans. Like you don't (no offense).

I'm voting against Obama on foreign policy grounds. I don't care Who or what he worships.

I don't care that he attended a church dedicated to a racially-divisive Marxist-derived ideology for 20 years. I don't care that according to certain Muslim teachings he is an apostate Muslim. I don't care that he will choose his next church in precisely the manner in which he chose the last one - depending on how he thinks it will benefit his political career.

PS - Dobson in kind of annoying to me. The only time I see him getting any press is when he says something annoying and everyone is criticizing him. Am I reading the wrong sorts of publications? Does all of his publicity come from annoying people? If so, is he really relevant?

James Dobson is a classic example of those, who are up to their necks in hypocrisy. To begin with, this is a Democratic Republic, not a Theocracy. The Presidents are elected not anointed. Dobson, if he was called, was called to save souls not anoint Presidents. As far as saving souls, it is my humble view that he is not doing a very good job of it. Too many Americans in or near his camp live and die in their virulent hatred, generation after generation. Consequently, I would suggest that he and others of his ilk take a long sabbatical in order to increase themselves spiritually. Maybe, that way, they can rededicate themselves to their day job, that of changing lives and saving souls.

Dobson and others of his ilk have absolutely no moral authority worthy of note. They, indeed if they ever had any, have squandered it on immoralities. He stands in support of the indiscriminate attacking and killing of others in foreign lands simply because we can. He stands in support of torture. He stands in support of using and abusing troops for political purposes. He stands in support of keeping troops, who are primarily from the wrong side of the economic track, restrained, by restricting and limiting their access to a college education, for continued and extended use as cannon fodder in Iraq.

Expanding on this topic, it was early in 2007, seven years into this new century. Ten GOP candidates for President of the United States lined up on the stage in front of America and the world. The first Republican debate was about to begin. Uniquely, ten of the ten candidates had most things in common, including wealth and color. If one was in apartheid South Africa, one would have felt comfortable. But that was not the case. One was in the United States of America, in 2007, with its well renowned Preamble to its Constitution based upon biblical principles. When one looked at the Bible, the Preamble and then the population of the United States, how could it be that, on this date in this century, ten out of ten candidates would be of the same race? Doesn’t this country tout its exceptional diversity to the world? The Evangelicals, holding their bibles also held their silence. Is it any wonder that the death count in Iraq is US over 4000 and our allies, collectively, 300? When hypocrisy is adopted as a way of life, these types of discrepant figures are often the resulting indicators.

Confronted with this picture, one would have to dispense with all concepts of reasonable proportionality in order to not see that it was skewed. The GOP has been the home and refuge of racist voters (even today, they are saying they will vote for McCain and McCain is courting them and thereby stabbing our fighting troops in the back) and a majority of Evangelicals since the Nixon era, some 38 years. Biblically speaking, how could these two groups sleep together? It’s the dirty little secret, which nobody, including the media, talks about. Yet, the GOP lay claims to a patriotism superior to all others; and disdains the notion that it would ever do anything to bring dishonor to this country and/or compromise its security. Neither bin Laden nor observers around the world are stupid.

The GOP stood there, on stage, in all its international nakedness borne of head-high hypocrisy. When one runs from the truth, one will rest with a lie. The picture, including the audience, was stark and embarrassingly reminiscent of those from apartheid South Africa. The picture cast aspersion upon the Preamble and the Constitution, which follows it. It was an “up your nose” dig at the Bible and its precepts. In the United States of America it would be a huge leap to say one admired that picture and that one was also a morally up-right family values person. By that picture, bin Laden, al Qaeda, their sympathizers and our detractors around the world were handed a recruiting tool to top all tools on a decorated silver platter.

The only consolation one could possibly have on viewing that spectacle would have been if one was not viewing it with friends from abroad and was being asked to explain its inferences. It would be a great task to satisfactorily explain away the damning details, depicted in that picture, to our educated youth of today including the youths of Evangelicals. James Dobson has no credibility in his own supposed area of expertise, religion. In straying into politics, he is straining at a gnat while swallowing a camel with no problem.

Worthless Theology:

"Why study anything if we all get to go heaven? What a waste of time that is."

It's all a waste of time unless someone's burning in hell? Harsh.

What do they teach at that Chicago Theological Seminary? Ms. Thistlewaite seems to think there are multiple ways to heaven so what the heck is she teaching at that seminary anwyway? Why study anything if we all get to go heaven? What a waste of time that is.

"Small wonder the country is going to hell. So many evangelists like Dobson leading us to Jesus."

I don't think Dobson ever claimed to be an evangelist, although Chrisitans are to share their faith with those around them so I guess you could say all Chrisitans are evangelists to some degree.

As to "the country going to hell" because Dobson is "leading us to Jesus," how about Rev. Wright's method of "leading us to Jesus"? Now there's a man actually "preaching" from a pulpit to thousands of followers, inciting them to retain anger and bitterness and racism rather than forgiveness. You have no problem with that?

"A majority of those who are affiliated with a religion, for instance, do not believe their religion is the only way to salvation. And almost the same number believes that there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their religion.”

Be careful ...

Don't be so quick to want to know what "the majority" think. Remember, the Bible warns:

Wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go therein. Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.

Source -- Jesus' own words, as recorded in Matthew 7:13.

And what is that "narrow way" Jesus spoke of?

Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but through me."

Everyone's welcome; sadly few will choose the right way. So don't look to what everyone else is doing.

James Dobson has a Ph.d in psychology I believe--from where I do not know. He began Focus on the Family as a radio program entitled just that, which he used to provide support and encouragement to families dealing with child rearing and marital issues.

In addition to the radio program he also wrote many popular books on child rearing etc. His fame grew, especially in the realm of evangelical/fundamentalist Christians, because he also beleived that biblical truth was the only foundation upon which a family could function successfully. His books reached out to millions of individuals.

But Dr Dobson has no specific nor special theological training. I do not believe he attended any seminary. His background was psychology and still is.

However, in many Christian circles it is not necessary for you to have theological training to be a guru. Dobson became a familiar figure in millions of american homes on the basis of his psychological training and his self proclaimed Christian credentials and his radio program. His psychology was, of course, founded on "Christian principles" while secular psychology was less competent because it did not teach "biblical truth."

That was essentially the avenue Dobson traveled to gain access to the seats of power along with people like Falwell, J. Kennedy, Robertson, Ralph Reed etc.
I imagine there is no organization--surely no Christian organization--which has a larger mailing list than Dobson, nor any single individual who has more appeal to what is termed the Chrisitan Right.

His power is probably waning, but as with all people who lust for power, people begin to see the reality. Surely a decade from now when Dobson is dead (he's got to be in his seventies now) few people will remember his name.

Rick

.

Article 6 of the US Constitution say in part:

"The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."

No religious test is necessary. No "right" theology exists under our fundamental laws. Whatever Obama says of Christianity and whatever Mr. Dobson wants to say to goad his mob into a frenzy is NOT RELEVANT. We have other matters vigorously kicking our country's ass. Quit arguing about the literal truth of the dominant myth.

Dear Susan,
It is evident that you are an intelligent person with a concern for society. I have no doubt that you know a lot about James Dobson than I do. But Dobson is a theologian who has studied the bible.
Anyone who has studied the bible can spot a person who is "wafer-thin" on bibical knowledge. When Obama quoted Abraham, Paul and Jesus, the words seemed to stick in his mouth. His basic tenets and references were confused. I do not believe he and Michelle are Christians or they would never have stayed in that hate-filled church for 20 years listening to Wright spout off anti-white, anti-semitic, anti-American, caustic remarks and they only lift Trinity when it became politically unfeasible to stay. Obama described Pastor Pfleger as a fine person just before he demeaned Hillary Clinton with his cruel, racist misogyny. Obama is big on politics but small in regard to character and authenticity. Dobson hit the MARK when he said Obama is superficial...in his knowlege of the bible. dbrown

I think that a great deal clarity on the issues that Mr. Dobson raises could be helpful if we knew more about him. For instance, is he a biblical scholar?
Is he a seminary graduate, and if so from what seminary? Has he held teaching positions in any of the major theological seminaries, or for that matter, any seminary at all. What in fact is his background that gives him the privilege to criticize another christians understanding of the Bible?
If anyone has any background information on Mr. Dobsons, I would be pleased to be informed. Meanwhile unless he has a doctorate in theology I take his criticism of Barack Obama's thought as nothing more than chit chat!

I think that a great deal clarity on the issues that Mr. Dobson raises could be helpful if we knew more about him. For instance, is he a biblical scholor?
Is he a seminary graduate, and if so from what seminary? Has he held teaching positions in any of the major theological seminaries, or for that matter, any seminary at all. What in fact is his background that gives him the privilege to criticize another christians understanding of the Bible?
If anyone has any background information on Mr. Dobsons, I would be pleased to be informed. Meanwhile unless he has a doctorate in theology I take his criticism of Barack Obama's thought as nothing more than chit chat!

Small wonder the country is going to hell. So many evangelists like Dobson leading us to Jesus.

If I were Dobson I would argue that I am an evangelist and therefore am the pace setter -impossible for the pace setter to be out of step. All evangelical ministers are pace setters, always lead and never follow. Well, they claim they follow Jesus but then that's just their version of where Jesus is going.

Jesus is going? Isn't Jesus expected back any minute? Ah yes. The Bible is a prove hoax so Jesus is not coming after all. But is Jesus going?

It's not where Jesus is going but where Jesus went, to the house of His father, (plenty of room there for everyone) that explains Dobson's opinions. The father of Jesus was the supernatural being, an angel named Lucifer, the one claiming to be God that Moses made the deal with to beat the murder rap. You know, the one in the burning bush. So when one tells Dobson to go to hell one's only telling him to go to Jesus.

I just find it very interesting that so-called religious leaders find it so imperative that they drop some, for lack of a better term, "political bomb" on a candidate that on simply on the opposite side of the political aisle. Even though the candidate professes to be a Christian, apparently Dr. Dobson, who also professes to be a Christian, considers Barack Obama the enemy. Wow!! What are we to make of this? Even though Dr. Dobson does not support John McCain, overtly, he has decided to deride the other candidate for some unforeseen reason. I agree with you that Dr. Dobson continues to live in the past. Our future, the future of America, ways in the balance while people like Dr. Dobson continues to provide divisive rhetoric about a Christian who wants to genuinely improve our country. Go figure!!

Well that's the rub, isn't it? If Dobson claims that Obama is distorting the bible according to his own worldview, can't we say the same about Dobson? I mean, isn't that the point of being able to think and hold an opinion?

I enjoyed your analysis. Although I obviously can't read Dr. Dobson's mind I would suggest that he is also scared that Obama and less dogmatic interpretations of scripture would be threats to his personal power. One, he has tremendous influence in the current administration - who never cease to court & cultivate his goodwill. Having your direct channel to the inner sanctums of the White House cut off would be quite a come down for almost anyone. Also, I believe he feels threatened by any attempt to refocus the community on anything but abortion and homosexuality. As the champion of these causes he commands money and attention from the faithful of his part of the Christian spectrum. Should these loyal soldiers suddenly start paying attention to other issues such as poverty, global warming, AIDS, etc. their time, attention Dr. Dobson would see his power and donations diluted, something he may find difficult to stomach.

Reverend Thistlethwaite,

If we're resisting being told how to vote -- by religious leaders or others -- then maybe there's hope for us after all. That certainly seems to be a positive step towards having a self-informing electorate. Hopefully, one that can be canny AND charitable!