Obama Starts War With Christianity

[BartonX]

James Dobson accuses Obama of `distorting' Bible By ERIC GORSKI, AP Religion Writer
2 hours, 14 minutes ago



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - As Barack Obama broadens his outreach to evangelical voters, one of the movement's biggest names, James Dobson, accuses the likely Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.




The criticism, to be aired Tuesday on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program, comes shortly after an Obama aide suggested a meeting at the organization's headquarters here, said Tom Minnery, senior vice president for government and public policy at Focus on the Family.

The conservative Christian group provided The Associated Press with an advance copy of the pre-taped radio segment, which runs 18 minutes and highlights excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal. Obama mentions Dobson in the speech.

"Even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the United States of America, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools?" Obama said. "Would we go with James Dobson's or Al Sharpton's?" referring to the civil rights leader.

Dobson took aim at examples Obama cited in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy — chapters like Leviticus, which Obama said suggests slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination, or Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application."

"Folks haven't been reading their Bibles," Obama said.

Dobson and Minnery accused Obama of wrongly equating Old Testament texts and dietary codes that no longer apply to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament.

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology," Dobson said.

"... He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."

Joshua DuBois, director of religious affairs for Obama's campaign, said in a statement that a full reading of Obama's speech shows he is committed to reaching out to people of faith and standing up for families. "Obama is proud to have the support of millions of Americans of faith and looks forward to working across religious lines to bring our country together," DuBois said.

Dobson reserved some of his harshest criticism for Obama's argument that the religiously motivated must frame debates over issues like abortion not just in their own religion's terms but in arguments accessible to all people.

He said Obama, who supports abortion rights, is trying to govern by the "lowest common denominator of morality," labeling it "a fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution."

"Am I required in a democracy to conform my efforts in the political arena to his bloody notion of what is right with regard to the lives of tiny babies?" Dobson said. "What he's trying to say here is unless everybody agrees, we have no right to fight for what we believe."

The program was paid for by a Focus on the Family affiliate whose donations are taxed, Dobson said, so it's legal for that group to get more involved in politics.

Last week, DuBois, a former Assemblies of God associate minister, called Minnery for what Minnery described as a cordial discussion. He would not go into detail, but said Dubois offered to visit the ministry in August when the Democratic National Convention is in Denver.

A possible Obama visit was not discussed, but Focus is open to one, Minnery said.

McCain also has not met with Dobson. A McCain campaign staffer offered Dobson a meeting with McCain recently in Denver, Minnery said. Dobson declined because he prefers that candidates visit the Focus on the Family campus to learn more about the organization, Minnery said.

Dobson has not backed off his statement that he could not in good conscience vote for McCain because of concerns over the Arizona senator's conservative credentials. Dobson has said he will vote in November but has suggested he might not vote for president.

Obama recently met in Chicago with religious leaders, including conservative evangelicals. His campaign also plans thousands of "American Values House Parties," where participants discuss Obama and religion, as well as a presence on Christian radio and blogs.


I could have titled this Obama insults Christians, or Barak shows his ignorance, but I concluded that Obama Makes War With Christians, was far more accurate, had more bite and doggone it I liked it :)

[Trueblue]

I agree with Obama on religion. So does most of America.

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/876/religion-america-part-two

[patriotsblade]

Barton, If you want to live in a theocracy may I suggest Saudi Arabia or Iran? I'll even chip in for your plane ticket. :LL

[BartonX]

Barton, If you want to live in a theocracy may I suggest Saudi Arabia or Iran? I'll even chip in for your plane ticket. :LL

Commercial is for the little people, I can fly myself. Besides, why leave the Muslim invasion is here in Emir Obama. Just remember any son born of a Muslim father is a muslim by Islamic law........so go ahead play with fire. :)

[BartonX]

I agree with Obama on religion. So does most of America.

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/876/religion-america-part-two

No one in their right mind can agree with Obama, if for no other reason, no one knows where the lying bastard stands on anything. And you're wrong the majority of America opposes his ignorant views on religion since they are totally uninformed. :)

[Trueblue]

No one in their right mind can agree with Obama, if for no other reason, no one knows where the lying bastard stands on anything. And you're wrong the majority of America opposes his ignorant views on religion since they are totally uninformed. :)

I'm in my correct mind. You're completely stuck in your right mind.







:snicker

[BartonX]

I'm in my correct mind. You're completely stuck in your right mind.







:snicker

Oh no I'm not because I am trying to dominate yours too! :yep

[Trueblue]

Many men have tried. And failed.

[BartonX]

Many men have tried. And failed.

That's true, but then again they weren't me, I am persuasive. :rofl

[Trueblue]

I think you have persuasive confused with "belligerent".

:wink :snicker

[wvpeach]

Strange isn't it? Fake Christians will use the old testament to excuse their wars knowing full well we are under a new covenant and war is not part of Christs teachings. Then when it suits them like with this illustration Barton so kindly provided, they say " Oh my Obama doesn't understand, we are not under those restrictions now we are under the teachings of Christ"

How convenient for them , them being the war mongers. They parade out the wars in the old testament to excuse their murders when they want. Yet they say we don't have to avoid eating pork, or smear blood on our houses on passover. We don't have to keep the sabbath or cut off thieves hands anymore, or stone adulators, that is old testament but we still want the wars that the old testament offered us. Can you say Hypocrites? And that Christ dealt harshly with hypocrites

But when it comes to people they don't like they want the new testament. They want them to treat us like Christ taught, " do unto others as you would have them do unto you" while they try to kill them like the old testament taught. Can you say hypocrites?
Hypocrites all of them.

Now to be fair, Dobson I don't know about. He has done a lot of good work for families. But if he is pulling that old testament , new testament switch when it comes to wars and what Christ taught then Dobson is as big a hypocrite as the rest of the fake Christians who voted for Bush in 2004.

I hope that is not the case with Dobson. It is however the case with Pat Robertson. I saw him on TV cheer leading for this immoral war when it started and backing this bad president in 2004 all the way. Then just the other day I saw him on TV saying he had been against the war and said it was against Just War doctrine of the church from the beginning. That is a lie Robertson supported the war and Bush all the way. He can lie all he wants but God knows the truth and that is what matters.

[Wabash]

Jun 24, 1:29 AM (ET)

By ERIC GORSKI

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - As Barack Obama broadens his outreach to evangelical voters, one of the movement's biggest names, James Dobson, accuses the likely Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.

The criticism, to be aired Tuesday on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program, comes shortly after an Obama aide suggested a meeting at the organization's headquarters here, said Tom Minnery, senior vice president for government and public policy at Focus on the Family.

The conservative Christian group provided The Associated Press with an advance copy of the pre-taped radio segment, which runs 18 minutes and highlights excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal. Obama mentions Dobson in the speech.

"Even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the United States of America, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools?" Obama said. "Would we go with James Dobson's or Al Sharpton's?" referring to the civil rights leader.

Dobson took aim at examples Obama cited in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy - chapters like Leviticus, which Obama said suggests slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination, or Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application."

"Folks haven't been reading their Bibles," Obama said.

Dobson and Minnery accused Obama of wrongly equating Old Testament texts and dietary codes that no longer apply to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament.

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology," Dobson said.

"... He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."

Joshua DuBois, director of religious affairs for Obama's campaign, said in a statement that a full reading of Obama's speech shows he is committed to reaching out to people of faith and standing up for families. "Obama is proud to have the support of millions of Americans of faith and looks forward to working across religious lines to bring our country together," DuBois said.

Dobson reserved some of his harshest criticism for Obama's argument that the religiously motivated must frame debates over issues like abortion not just in their own religion's terms but in arguments accessible to all people.

He said Obama, who supports abortion rights, is trying to govern by the "lowest common denominator of morality," labeling it "a fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution."

"Am I required in a democracy to conform my efforts in the political arena to his bloody notion of what is right with regard to the lives of tiny babies?" Dobson said. "What he's trying to say here is unless everybody agrees, we have no right to fight for what we believe."

The program was paid for by a Focus on the Family affiliate whose donations are taxed, Dobson said, so it's legal for that group to get more involved in politics.

Last week, DuBois, a former Assemblies of God associate minister, called Minnery for what Minnery described as a cordial discussion. He would not go into detail, but said Dubois offered to visit the ministry in August when the Democratic National Convention is in Denver.

A possible Obama visit was not discussed, but Focus is open to one, Minnery said.

McCain also has not met with Dobson. A McCain campaign staffer offered Dobson a meeting with McCain recently in Denver, Minnery said. Dobson declined because he prefers that candidates visit the Focus on the Family campus to learn more about the organization, Minnery said.

Dobson has not backed off his statement that he could not in good conscience vote for McCain because of concerns over the Arizona senator's conservative credentials. Dobson has said he will vote in November but has suggested he might not vote for president.

Obama recently met in Chicago with religious leaders, including conservative evangelicals. His campaign also plans thousands of "American Values House Parties," where participants discuss Obama and religion, as well as a presence on Christian radio and blogs.
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080624/D91G8E200.html

[Wabash]

I agree with Obama on religion. So does most of America.

http://pewresearch.org/pubs/876/religion-america-part-two
No they don't TB....Obie doesn't know SHIT about religion or much else, he spent 20 years with Rev. Wright!...he just pretends that he does. He is The Great Pretender! They wrote a song about him in the 50s!
No one in their right mind can agree with Obama, if for no other reason, no one knows where the lying bastard stands on anything. And you're wrong the majority of America opposes his ignorant views on religion since they are totally uninformed. :)

AMEN BROTHER....AMEN!!!!

I'm in my correct mind. You're completely stuck in your right mind.

Oh yes...you said a mouthful there TB!

The thing is, there isn't a logical mind in the universe that agrees with you...so there you are in your correct mind! Oh ya!:LL





:snicker

[Wabash]

YO man...check it out homy....you been accusing the punk ass pubs of doing stuff and pulling the race card when your man Sharpton and your man Farakahn have been pulling that race shit for decades!
C'mon man you can't play with the kittens at night and the big dogs during the day....get down wit yo bad self...be a Real Bro!

[Wabash]

Oh btw...Dr. Dobson is a very learned man.....want some insight...Google him!

[toxic]

OMG, you mean there is more than one interpretation of fruitcake christianity.

[Saguaro]

So Dobson has the ultimate knowledge of exactly what the Bible means :roll

[Trueblue]

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology," Dobson said.

"... He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."

The NT is such a radical document that few of us can handle living by it, IMO. It's Dobson who has distorted the teaching.

[Trueblue]

No they don't TB....Obie doesn't know SHIT about religion or much else, he spent 20 years with Rev. Wright!...he just pretends that he does. He is The Great Pretender! They wrote a song about him in the 50s!


AMEN BROTHER....AMEN!!!!

Yes, they do. Check out the research.

[Yellowdogtexan]

Has Dobson broke down and endorsed mc :cane yet? The last I saw, dobson did not consider mc :cane to be a christian and had refused to endorse mc :cane. In addition, Dobson had some very harsh words about mc :cane over the divorce of mc :cane's first wife and mc :cane's adultry during his first marriage.

dobson is amusing but is a joke.

[wvpeach]

No doubt Dobson has said he would not vote for MCCain , now he is saying he will vote but just not for president.

[Yellowdogtexan]

Has Dobson broke down and endorsed mc :cane yet? The last I saw, dobson did not consider mc :cane to be a christian and had refused to endorse mc :cane. In addition, Dobson had some very harsh words about mc :cane over the divorce of mc :cane's first wife and mc :cane's adultry during his first marriage.

dobson is amusing but is a joke.

[April15]

Why do people listen to religious nutjobs anyway?

[patriotsblade]

Has Dobson broke down and endorsed mc :cane yet? The last I saw, dobson did not consider mc :cane to be a christian and had refused to endorse mc :cane. In addition, Dobson had some very harsh words about mc :cane over the divorce of mc :cane's first wife and mc :cane's adultry during his first marriage.

dobson is amusing but is a joke.

I think I'll write to Dobson and encourage him to endorse Bob Barr for President. :LL

[Yellowdogtexan]

Dobson is upset becaue the Obama campaign is paying attention to the evangelicals and may get a decent percentage of their vote http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062002477.htmlWith the Democratic presidential nomination in his grasp, Sen. Barack Obama is making a full-throttle push for centrist evangelicals and Catholics.

It's a move that's caught some conservative evangelicals off guard. They say they are surprised and dismayed to see a liberal-minded politician attempting to conscript their troops. At the same time, they say that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has done little to court their affections.

"I've never seen anything quite like it before," said evangelical author Stephen Mansfield, who wrote "The Faith of George W. Bush" and has a forthcoming book about Obama.

"To be running against a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, and to be reaching into the Christian community as wisely and knowledgeably as (Obama) is -- understanding their terms and their values -- is just remarkable."

This month, the Illinois senator held a closed-door meeting in Chicago with almost 40 Christian leaders, including evangelical heavyweights such as the Rev. Franklin Graham, publishing magnate Steve Strang and megachurch pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Obama's campaign is also launching a grass-roots effort, tentatively called Joshua Generation, with plans to hold concerts and house meetings targeted at young evangelicals and Catholics.

A political action committee set to launch this month, the Matthew 25 Network, plans to direct radio advertising and mailers to Christian communities while talking up Obama in the media. The group is not officially tied to the Obama campaign.

Obama's emphasis on faith outreach plays to his strengths, campaign observers say. The senator is at ease speaking about religion and preaches a message of forging common ground with disparate communities.
How dare the Obama campaign try to get the votes of the evagelicals.

Dobson is upse because he has not endorsed mc :cane and may have to to keep his base from voting for a democrat

[Lone Laugher]

Oh btw...Dr. Dobson is a very learned man.....want some insight...Google him!

Being a "learned" man does not prevent one from becoming a nutjob.

[Wabash]

So Dobson has the ultimate knowledge of exactly what the Bible means :roll
Never said that......Do you always react like that....almost TBish...or femanaziish!!
"

The NT is such a radical document that few of us can handle living by it, IMO. It's Dobson who has distorted the teaching.
Speak for yourself!

Has Dobson broke down and endorsed mc :cane yet? The last I saw, dobson did not consider mc :cane to be a christian and had refused to endorse mc :cane. In addition, Dobson had some very harsh words about mc :cane over the divorce of mc :cane's first wife and mc :cane's adultry during his first marriage.

dobson is amusing but is a joke.
Nope, neither have I.....3 Stooges ...remember?

Why do people listen to religious nutjobs anyway?
Because the atheist nutjobs are nuttier still!!!!!!!

I think I'll write to Dobson and encourage him to endorse Bob Barr for President. :LL
Go for it...I dare ya!

Dobson is upset becaue the Obama campaign is paying attention to the evangelicals and may get a decent percentage of their vote http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/20/AR2008062002477.htmlHow dare the Obama campaign try to get the votes of the evagelicals.

Dobson is upse because he has not endorsed mc :cane and may have to to keep his base from voting for a democrat
Repeating yourself....Limited vocabulary?
Being a "learned" man does not prevent one from becoming a nutjob.

I never said it did...you now have contacted TB Sydrome ala Liberalism...
As for your statement...look at Ted Kennedy, Sharpton, or Alec Baldwin...the list of those nitwits is...ENDLESS!

[Sweet Tart]

How can anyone distort a book that is obviously so distorted to begin with? :think

[Wabash]

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own world view, his own confused theology," Dobson said, adding that Obama is "dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."

[issac the dragon]

"Because the atheist nutjobs are nuttier still!!!!!!!" Quote Wabash.

Give me a break Wabash. We atheists can't hold a candle to the religious nuts. They've got the gold, silver and bronze medals.

[Sweet Tart]

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own world view, his own confused theology," Dobson said, adding that Obama is "dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."

I'm pretty sure that's what everyone has done with the bible :shrug

[Lone Laugher]

Lets bring two threads together, shall we?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeSSwKffj9o

[Lone Laugher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWiBt-pqp0E

[Matt]

James Dobson accuses Obama of `distorting' Bible By ERIC GORSKI, AP Religion Writer
2 hours, 14 minutes ago

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - As Barack Obama broadens his outreach to evangelical voters, one of the movement's biggest names, James Dobson, accuses the likely Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.
The criticism, to be aired Tuesday on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program, comes shortly after an Obama aide suggested a meeting at the organization's headquarters here, said Tom Minnery, senior vice president for government and public policy at Focus on the Family.

The conservative Christian group provided The Associated Press with an advance copy of the pre-taped radio segment, which runs 18 minutes and highlights excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal. Obama mentions Dobson in the speech.

"Even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the United States of America, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools?" Obama said. "Would we go with James Dobson's or Al Sharpton's?" referring to the civil rights leader.

Dobson took aim at examples Obama cited in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy — chapters like Leviticus, which Obama said suggests slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination, or Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application."

"Folks haven't been reading their Bibles," Obama said.

Dobson and Minnery accused Obama of wrongly equating Old Testament texts and dietary codes that no longer apply to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament.

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology," Dobson said.

"... He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."

Joshua DuBois, director of religious affairs for Obama's campaign, said in a statement that a full reading of Obama's speech shows he is committed to reaching out to people of faith and standing up for families. "Obama is proud to have the support of millions of Americans of faith and looks forward to working across religious lines to bring our country together," DuBois said.

Dobson reserved some of his harshest criticism for Obama's argument that the religiously motivated must frame debates over issues like abortion not just in their own religion's terms but in arguments accessible to all people.

He said Obama, who supports abortion rights, is trying to govern by the "lowest common denominator of morality," labeling it "a fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution."

"Am I required in a democracy to conform my efforts in the political arena to his bloody notion of what is right with regard to the lives of tiny babies?" Dobson said. "What he's trying to say here is unless everybody agrees, we have no right to fight for what we believe."

The program was paid for by a Focus on the Family affiliate whose donations are taxed, Dobson said, so it's legal for that group to get more involved in politics.

Last week, DuBois, a former Assemblies of God associate minister, called Minnery for what Minnery described as a cordial discussion. He would not go into detail, but said Dubois offered to visit the ministry in August when the Democratic National Convention is in Denver.

A possible Obama visit was not discussed, but Focus is open to one, Minnery said.

McCain also has not met with Dobson. A McCain campaign staffer offered Dobson a meeting with McCain recently in Denver, Minnery said. Dobson declined because he prefers that candidates visit the Focus on the Family campus to learn more about the organization, Minnery said.

Dobson has not backed off his statement that he could not in good conscience vote for McCain because of concerns over the Arizona senator's conservative credentials. Dobson has said he will vote in November but has suggested he might not vote for president.

Obama recently met in Chicago with religious leaders, including conservative evangelicals. His campaign also plans thousands of "American Values House Parties," where participants discuss Obama and religion, as well as a presence on Christian radio and blogs.


I could have titled this Obama insults Christians, or Barak shows his ignorance, but I concluded that Obama Makes War With Christians, was far more accurate, had more bite and doggone it I liked it :)

Your title should have been Another Idiotic Attack On Obama by a man just trying to get his 15 minutes in the limelight.

A recent survey among many different churches agreed that they were not the only ones who were right on religion.
With so many churches and interpretations, heaven could be a rather lonely place if only one is right.

I always enjoyed the old story about the Baptist Church on one side of the street singing "Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown" while the Church of Christ on the other side answered with "No Not One".

I think I have seen quite a bit of that here in the religious discussions.

[Yellowdogtexan]

There has been a couple of threads about the evangelicals beginning to move towards the Democrats and Senator Obama actually seeking the support these voters. It seems that Dobson is not that popular with many evangelicals and his attacks on Senator Obama may help speed this process along. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/dr-dobson-has-just-handed_b_108989.htmlDobson is one of the Evangelical religious right old guard. He's to the right what Nader is to the left. Like the late Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson and others Dobson has alienated as many evangelicals -- let alone moderate Christians -- as he's inspired. In fact, ever since he tried to get Richard Cizik, vice president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) fired last year Dobson has found himself painted into a reactionary corner. Many evangelicals still fear him and so won't denounce his posturing power-plays but they also despise him.

Cizik is the future of evangelicalism. Dobson is the past. Cizik is a strong environmentalist advocate on the issue of global warming. Dobson tried to get the board of the National Association of Evangelicals to fire Cizik because of that fact. Dobson said that Cizik's environmental beliefs ran counter to what Dobson thought was in George Bush's best interests. He also said that the environment distracts from the favorite issues Dobson raises most of his funds on: abortion and gay bashing. But Dobson failed. The board of the NAE rejected Dobson's power play, for the same reason many evangelicals will reject his telling them how to vote this year. Dobson also failed in stopping John McCain (who failed to kiss Dobson's ass sufficiently) from becoming the Republican nominee.

If you're one of many Americans who thinks that the war in Iraq was a mistake or believe that the Republicans have run the economy into the ground or think that perhaps the chaos George Bush unleashed in our foreign affairs has something to do with the price of gas at the pump... then you have Dr. Dobson to thank -- personally. No one worked harder to get Bush elected then reelected. Dobson delivered his millions of dupes. But now many of them see through him and like most Americans, are appalled by Bush.

Nevertheless Dobson has -- for eight years -- been George W. Bush's personal shill. In return Dobson has had ego-stoking "access" to the White House, or rather to the lackeys in the White House laughing at him but charged with stroking Dobson and the other pompous asses masquerading as religious leaders.

But the new generation of evangelicals is sick of being labeled as backward rednecks because of their association with fossils like Dobson. There are many evangelicals like Cizik too who are not all about homophobia, nationalism, war-without-end and American exceptionalism or the Republican Party. Like Cizik they believe that the America has a responsibility to do something about global warming, poverty, AIDS, human trafficking and other issues. They see through Dobson and the other so-called pro-life leaders, who have actually done nothing to reduce abortion. In fact Dobson has increased abortions because of his "abstinence only" crusade.

As a result of his power grabs and bullying of other evangelicals, not to mention his telling people how to vote and pointing them to the failed W, Dobson & Co. have zero credibility with a growing number of otherwise conservative evangelicals who happen--this year--to be looking favorably at Senator Obama's holistic Christian-based world view. Unlike Dobson they like Obama's theology just fine.

All that was missing to put the frosting on the Obama cake was for Dobson to attack him. For Obama to win all he needs to do is peel off a chunk of heretofore solid evangelical Republican votes. Dobson just handed Obama those votes. I have seen polling that shows that Senator Obama could get a good percentage of the evangelical vote in 2008 and that is what is pissing off Dobson. Dobson is a dinosaure and the evangelical movement is leaving him behind. The fact that dobson could not get the head of the evangelical movement fired is again very telling

[Judge Smails]

Dobson thinks that 9/11 was God's punishment for stem cell research in America.

That's all any sane person has to know about that fucktard.

[Matt]

Dobson being against you can be a real plus, huh? :D

[Saguaro]

A very deceptive thread title, "Dobson starts war with Obama would have explained it "

[Saguaro]

LOS ANGELES - Barack Obama said Tuesday that evangelical leader James Dobson was "making stuff up" when he accused the presumed Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible.

Dobson used his Focus on the Family radio program to highlight excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal.

Speaking to reporters on his campaign plane before landing in Los Angeles, Obama said the speech made the argument that people of faith, like himself, "try to translate some of our concerns in a universal language so that we can have an open and vigorous debate rather than having religion divide us."

Obama added, "I think you'll see that he was just making stuff up, maybe for his own purposes."

In his program, Dobson focused on examples Obama cited in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy. For instance, Obama said Leviticus suggests slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination. Obama also cited Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application."

"Folks haven't been reading their Bibles," Obama said in the speech.

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology," Dobson said.

Asked about Dobson's assessment, Obama said "somebody would be pretty hard-pressed to make that argument" that he was distorting the Bible.

Obama supporters also responded to Dobson.

The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, a Methodist pastor from Texas and longtime supporter of President Bush who has endorsed Obama, said Tuesday he belongs to a group of religious leaders who, working independently of Obama's campaign, launched a Web site to counter Dobson at http://www.jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com. The site highlights statements from Obama and Dobson and asks visitors to compare them.

Caldwell said he has great respect for Dobson's advocacy for families, but said the criticism of Obama was "a bit over the top" and "crossed the line."

"There has been a call for a higher level of politics and politicking," Caldwell said. "So to attack at this level is inappropriate and I think unacceptable and we at least want to hold everybody accountable."

Tom Minnery, a senior vice president at Focus on the Family, responded: "Without question, Dr. Dobson is speaking for millions of evangelicals because his understanding of the Bible is thoroughly evangelical."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/dobson_obama;_ylt=AobsjaHmk3pHo745I_XcGEOs0NUE

[Yellowdogtexan]

Dobson being against you can be a real plus, huh? :DYep Senator Obama could get 30% to 40% of the evangelical vote in this election which would be horrible news for mc :cane http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/06/religious-right-figure-ge_n_105667.htmlWith clients like Focus on the Family, Franklin Graham, and Campus Crusade for Christ, Mark DeMoss may be the most prominent public relations executive in the evangelical world. A former chief of staff to Jerry Falwell, DeMoss became then-presidential candidate Mitt Romney's chief liaison to evangelical leaders."

In a new interview with Dan Gilgoff for BeliefNet's God-o-Meter, DeMoss explains the lack of religious enthusiasm for McCain and predicts a potential major shift to Obama. How is John McCain doing among evangelicals, a crucial Republican constituency?

The evangelical world or the conservative religious world is not his natural habitat, so he doesn't strike me as being all that comfortable with it. I think that's evidenced by the strong comments made in 2000 about Falwell and Robertson. ...

You represent some of the nation's most powerful evangelicals. What do those leaders say about McCain?

This is one guy's perspective, but I am surprised by how little I've seen or read in conservative circles about McCain since February. I don't think I've gotten one email or letter or phone call from anybody in America in the last four months saying anything about this election or urging that we unite behind John McCain and put aside whatever differences we have. Back in the fall and winter, you'd get several things a day from conservatives saying, "The future of the Supreme Court is at stake. We have to stop Hillary Clinton. Get behind so and so--or don't' go with this guy." It's just very quiet. It could meant there's a real sense of apathy or it could mean they're' waiting for the general election to begin. But it's a surprise, given the way email networks work now.

Barack Obama is trying hard to win evangelical voters. Does that effort stand a chance?

If one third of white evangelicals voted for Bill Clinton the second time, at the height of Monica Lewinsky mess--that's a statistic I didn't believe at first but I double and triple checked it--I would not be surprised if that many or more voted for Barack Obama in this election. You're seeing some movement among evangelicals as the term [evangelical] has become more pejorative. There's a reaction among some evangelicals to swing out to the left in an effort to prove that evangelicals are really not that right wing. There's some concern that maybe Republicans haven't done that well. And there's this fascination with Barack Obama. So I will not be surprised if he gets one third of the evangelical vote. I wouldn't be surprised if it was 40-percent.This level of support for Senator Obama would really hurt mc :cane Dobson does not like mc :cane but still wants to cling to oower. No one will pay attention to him if there is a Democrat in the white house and that includes many of the evangelicals.

[Yellowdogtexan]

This is interesting. bush's pastor (the one who officiated the wedding of bush's daughter several weeks ago) has come out in favor of Senator Obama and against Dobson http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2008/06/obama_dismisses_dobson_critici.phpObama supporters also responded to Dobson.

The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, a Methodist pastor from Texas and longtime supporter of President Bush who has endorsed Obama, said Tuesday he belongs to a group of religious leaders who, working independently of Obama's campaign, launched a Web site to counter Dobson at http://www.jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com. The site highlights statements from Obama and Dobson and asks visitors to compare them.

Caldwell said he has great respect for Dobson's advocacy for families, but said the criticism of Obama was "a bit over the top" and "crossed the line."

"There has been a call for a higher level of politics and politicking," Caldwell said. "So to attack at this level is inappropriate and I think unacceptable and we at least want to hold everybody accountable."
Calwell is a good guy and this is an interesting website

[wvpeach]

Thanks yellow dog that site will come in handy.

[Yellowdogtexan]

This is interesting. http://religionblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/06/wallis-rips-dobsons-ripping-of.htmlFull Text of Jim Wallis' Statement:


James Dobson, of Focus on the Family Action, and his senior vice president of government and public policy, Tom Minnery, used their "CitizenLink" radio show today to criticize Barack Obama's understanding of Christian faith. In the show, they describe Obama as "deliberately distorting the Bible," "dragging biblical understanding through the gutter," "willfully trying to confuse people," and having a "fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution."

Now that James Dobson is insinuating himself into this presidential campaign, his attacks against his fellow Christian, Barack Obama, should be seriously scrutinized. And because his basis for the attack on Obama is the speech the Senator from Illinois gave at our Call to Renewal/Sojourners event in 2006 (for the record, we also had Democrat Hillary Clinton, and Republicans Rick Santorum and Sam Brownback speak that year), I have decided to respond to Dobson's attacks. In most every case they are themselves clear distortions of what Obama said in that speech. I was there for the speech, Dobson was not.

You can read Obama's now two-year old speech, which was widely publicized at the time and will see that Dobson either didn't understand it or is deliberately distorting it. There are two major problems with Dobson's attack today on Barack Obama.

First, Dobson and Minnery's language is simply inappropriate for religious leaders to use in an already divisive political environment. We can agree or disagree on both biblical and political viewpoints, but our language should be respectful and civil, not attacking motives and beliefs.

Second, and perhaps most importantly, is the role of religion in politics. Dobson alleges that Obama is saying:
"I [Dobson] can't seek to pass legislation, for example, that bans partial-birth abortion because there are people in the culture who don't see that as a moral issue. And if I can't get everyone to agree with me, it is undemocratic to try to pass legislation that I find offensive to the Scripture. ... What he's trying to say here is unless everybody agrees; we have no right to fight for what we believe."Contrary to Dobson's charge, Obama was very strong in defending the right and necessity of people of faith bringing their moral agenda to the public square, and was specifically critical of many on the left and in his own Democratic Party for being uncomfortable with religion in politics.

Obama said that religion is and has always been a fundamental and absolutely essential source of morality for the nation, but also said that "religion has no monopoly on morality," which is a point that I often make. The United States is not the Christian theocracy that people like James Dobson seem to think it should be. Political appeals, even if rooted in religious convictions, must be argued on moral grounds rather than as sectarian religious demands--so that the people (citizens), whether religious or not, may have the capacity to hear and respond. Religious convictions must be translated into moral arguments, which must win the political debate if they are to be implemented. Religious people don't get to win just because they are religious. They, like any other citizens, have to convince their fellow citizens that what they propose is best for the common good-- for all of us and not just for the religious.

Instead of saying that Christians must accept the "the lowest common denominator of morality," as Dobson accused Obama of suggesting, or that people of faith shouldn't advocate for the things their convictions suggest, Obama was saying the exact opposite--that Christians should offer their best moral compass to the nation but then have to engage in the kind of democratic dialogue that religious pluralism demands. Martin Luther King Jr. perhaps did this best of all with his Bible in one hand and the Constitution in the other.

In making abortion the single life issue in politics and elections, leaders from the Religious Right like Dobson have violated the "consistent ethic of life" that we find, for example, in Catholic social teaching. Dobson has also fought unsuccessfully to keep the issue of the environment and climate change, which many also now regard as a "life issue," off the evangelical agenda. Older Religious Right leaders are now being passed by a new generation of young evangelicals who believe that poverty, "creation care" of the environment, human trafficking, human rights, pandemic diseases like HIV/AIDS, and the fundamental issues of war and peace are also "religious" and "moral" issues and now a part of a much wider and deeper agenda. That new evangelical agenda is a deep threat to James Dobson and the power wielded by the Religious Right for so long. Many evangelical votes are in play this election year, especially among a new generation, and are no longer captive to the Religious Right. Perhaps that is the real reason for James Dobson's attack today on Barack Obama.

[Trueblue]

:paclap

[Yellowdogtexan]

Dobson is not that popular with some evangelicals and his attack on Obama may have misfired. http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1818313,00.htmlAfter years of attacking Democrats with relative impunity for their supposed moral failings, Evangelical leader James Dobson surely didn't expect to suffer much of a backlash when he trained his sights on Barack Obama. Over the years, the party had practically cowered in fear and gone into radio silence when the head of Focus on the Family targeted one of its standard bearers. So in a campaign that has already proved to be anything but predictable, the counterattack on Dobson this week epitomized the new, fraught political climate that Christian Right leaders like himself face.

Earlier this week, Dobson used his popular Christian radio program to denounce a 2006 speech the Illinois senator gave about the place of religion in public life. He took personal offense at the fact that Obama had referred to him by name in the same breath as Al Sharpton, using the two to illustrate the range of differences that exist within Christianity. But he also expressed outrage at Obama's assertion that individuals can be moral without being religious. "He oughta read the Bible," said Dobson. Obama, he charged, was "deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview."

But less than 24 hours after Dobson's radio broadcast, www.jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com was up and running on the Web. The site displays both Dobson's charges against Obama and Obama's own quotes from the 2006 speech. It also features a statement condemning Dobson that reads in part: "James Dobson doesn't speak for me when he uses religion as a wedge to divide; he doesn't speak for me when he speaks as the final arbiter on the meaning of the Bible."

The website was the handiwork of a coalition of Christian leaders headed by Kirbyjon Caldwell, the Texas pastor and Bush family friend who led the benediction at George W. Bush's first Inauguration. The group came up with the idea for the site a while ago, and figured it was just a matter of time before the good Dr. Dobson would give them an opportunity to unveil it. And they're not the only ones pushing back against the Christian Right leader's broadsides. The Matthew 25 Network is a political action committee formed in early June by Mara Vanderslice, a Democratic strategist who oversaw religious outreach on the 2004 Kerry campaign and remembers well the perils of remaining silent in the face of attacks on that candidate's Catholic faith. Within hours of Dobson's program, the PAC had raised $4,000 for radio ads that will run next week in the Colorado Springs market, Dobson's home turf. Vanderslice and her co-producers at the Eleison Group, a new Democratic consulting firm founded by Hillary Clinton's former religion adviser, Burns Strider, plan to expand to other stations that carry Dobson's Focus program.

[wvpeach]

Red Letter Christians are a good site too.

http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=about_us.redletterchristians

They have been working against this insanity since the fake wing of the so called Christians started this madness with their war mongering and hatred of the poor and sick.

Check them out you will like them.