I live in Canada and even I get tired of this guy! I think this calls for another famous “Dobson” post Matthew! Your past post (on Wed. March 28, 2007), me and a buddy still laugh and chuckle about often! Hope things are well, looking forward to reading Churched!
I’m not shocked, just annoyed. Religion and politics don’t mix in a corporate sence. We should all be involved individually how we decide we want to, not how some religious leader tells us.
Here’s a quote from the article you linked to: “I think he’s deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own world view, his own confused theology…”
Is Dobson talking about Obama or vice versa?
Seriously though, Obama is not a follower of Jesus. What else should we expect? And I cringe at how Dobson seems so quick to lash out and attack rather than try to build a bridge between Obama and the Lord Jesus. No wonder so many people hate Christians!!
I think Dobson confuses his conservative viewpoint with Scripture and any person or group who points out that Scripture speaks to more than abortion and gay marriage is an enemy. It’s sad, but I think he’ll continue to marginalize himself.
One point with Jamie, Obama is a follower of Jesus. He has long professed his Christianity and writes about his conversion in his first book.
OBAMA: Absolutely. I read it not as regularly as I would like. These days I don’t have much time for reading or reflection, period. ————————————– Like he’s going to have more time when he’s President? LOL
Somedays I don’t think I have time for study, I can’t imagine what a day would be like for someone on that level… regardless of the stripe.
My ADD totally separates me from any political aspirations.
The Rosie O’Donnell comment – too funny! And yes, our nation is Christian in name and heritage (it also has pagan roots). We are now in/ are moving swiftly towards a post-Christian era.
And just before the bit that you quoted from the interview, here’s what Obama says when asked about Jesus: “GG: Who’s Jesus to you? (He laughs nervously) OBAMA: Right. Jesus is an historical figure for me, and he’s also a bridge between God and man, in the Christian faith, and one that I think is powerful precisely because he serves as that means of us reaching something higher.
And he’s also a wonderful teacher. I think it’s important for all of us, of whatever faith, to have teachers in the flesh and also teachers in history.”
I’m not one for either Dobson or Obama. Both are lopsided in their understandings of faith. Both pull doctrine and “truth” out of their asses. Most everything starts with “I think…” or “For me…” One of the scariest lines in that interview that popped out to me was his answer to the question of reading the Bible. He said his “internal monologue” supplants his opportunity to read and reflect. Wait… he means that the voices in his head tell him solid doctrine? That’s an easy and not uncommon copout to understanding a faith in Jesus.
As far as the church-and-state debate, I agree with Barack – it’s comforting to know that America was colonized and founded by people trying to get away from religion and theocracy in the first place. Can you imagine what kind of theocracy we’d get nowadays with the ‘moral majority’ nuts still running rampant? Yikes!
Shocked? No. Dismayed? Yes, simply because Dobson gets so much attention that he could be using this to build those bridges rather than erect more walls.
I also have huge issues with being attacked for who I choose to support politically; so unfortunately I end up keeping rather quiet on the matter, a rarity for me. I tend to be opinionated and vocal. But when people attack me and my faith, telling me I can’t possibly be a Christian if I vote a particular way or listen to NPR, or whatever, I smile and let it go and simply affirm that I love Jesus, am doing the best I can and that not everyone will always agree. Sigh.
I won’t attack you for voting democrat. I actually vote both parties. Not that it really makes a difference. I will be attacked for saying this… I am a one issue voter and I already know that my issue will, realistically, probably never be resolved. It’s a matter of flipping the balance on the Supreme Court for this one. It’s just about conviction of the principle of the matter for me.
It’s really bad that 4,000 soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqi and Afghans have died in the last 5 years. But what if our politicians put us on the tab for 45 million lives?
Here’s the ideals of guy I won’t vote for….
“If (my daughters) make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby” – Senator Barack Obama
It seems to me that there are far too many one issue voters (abortion, homosexuality) who claim to be Christian, however fundamentally “forget” about the Gospels. You remember, love thy neighbor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, anoint the sick….things that many “conservatives” conveniently forget to do while they are condemning everyone else for their actions. Maybe if conservatives who are against abortion would take care of people while they are actually living (food, healthcare, living wage) opposed to while they are still in the womb, more people wouldn’t be afraid to bring a child into this world.
My favorit shirt that I have says
“Sure I’m a Christian Fundamentalist!”
and then quotes Isaiah 58:6-7
“Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.”
Oh boy, So since I tend to be a conservative and by principle the Abortion issue trumps them all I probably don’t care about the homeless, the poor, the hungry, the sick. Right?
Exactly where do you get spoon fed this propaganda?
– For starters, probably the greatest quote EVER…
‘The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’ – Ronald Reagan
This is why I will more than likely always be a fiscal conservative.
– You want to make a broad assumption that conservative fundamentalists don’t care about people? Show me the numbers to back that up please.
– Liberals are more charitable? Really. Show me the numbers to back that up.
– According to official tax documents Vice President Dick Cheney the poster child for evil conservativism has given as much as 78% of his wealth to the church or other charities. Mind you he’s already giving @ 40% to taxes in his bracket. Barrack Obama, the poster child for hope house hold household gave at the most 6 percent of his personal wealth to charity. LESS THAN 2% before he was involved in politics. Less than .05% in 2003-2004.
For the record… The Clinton’s, as much as 9.4% The Bush’s as much as 12.2%
What you’ve become a victim of is propaganda. I think both sides actually believe in giving. Conservatives you see tend to think giving is a private matter, Liberals believe it’s the Governments job to take care of what we “give”. That is called Socialism.
Really, Stephanie, I look forward to seeing the proof you have that most Christians don’t care about the poor, the sick and the hungry.
Well he goes to a Methodist Church and is of the religious nature.
My point is that he is a believer in God and pretty much believes a lot of the same things Christians do. Doesn’t matter what he calls himself. He does share a lot of the same beliefs.
Besides, the “U word” is an idea that many biblical scholars have believed and discussed for the last 2000 years, long before the Americanized “only the saved get to heaven” version of the gospel came along.
I live in Canada and even I get tired of this guy!
I think this calls for another famous “Dobson” post Matthew!
Your past post (on Wed. March 28, 2007), me and a buddy still laugh and chuckle about often!
Hope things are well, looking forward to reading Churched!
He doesn’t like McCain either.
LOL.
I’m in agreement with Dobson on both candidates.
I’m not shocked, just annoyed. Religion and politics don’t mix in a corporate sence. We should all be involved individually how we decide we want to, not how some religious leader tells us.
*sigh*
…yet another news headline captured by Dobson.
Matthew,
How it it that Dobson is so easily condemned and Universalist Henry Nouwen passes the test?
Is he just “cooler” than Dobson?
Is there anyone that isn’t cooler than Dobson?
-Jud Epting
Jud,
Henri is dead.
James is alive.
And who knows, maybe MPT is a Universalist too.
Let it go.
Sean
Here’s a quote from the article you linked to: “I think he’s deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own world view, his own confused theology…”
Is Dobson talking about Obama or vice versa?
Seriously though, Obama is not a follower of Jesus. What else should we expect? And I cringe at how Dobson seems so quick to lash out and attack rather than try to build a bridge between Obama and the Lord Jesus. No wonder so many people hate Christians!!
For the record, Obama does in fact profess to be a Christian.
-Jud
I think Dobson confuses his conservative viewpoint with Scripture and any person or group who points out that Scripture speaks to more than abortion and gay marriage is an enemy. It’s sad, but I think he’ll continue to marginalize himself.
One point with Jamie, Obama is a follower of Jesus. He has long professed his Christianity and writes about his conversion in his first book.
Seriously though, Obama is not a follower of Jesus.
Well, he is the only major candidate to have recounted his conversion experience in detail, but whatever.
professing and being are not the same thing. many people ‘profess’ and many fewer actually ‘are’.
and specific to Obama, please read this interview: http://falsani.blogspot.com/2008/04/barack-obama-2004-god-factor-interview.html
He may have entered into a relationship with Jesus since this interview, but other things that I’ve read line up with what he says here.
So he’s a “Christian” as in our nation is “Christian”.
-Jud
GG:
Have you read the bible?
OBAMA:
Absolutely.
I read it not as regularly as I would like. These days I don’t have much time for reading or reflection, period.
————————————–
Like he’s going to have more time when he’s President? LOL
Somedays I don’t think I have time for study, I can’t imagine what a day would be like for someone on that level… regardless of the stripe.
My ADD totally separates me from any political aspirations.
-Jud
James Dobson is the Christian version of Rosie O Donnell.
The Rosie O’Donnell comment – too funny! And yes, our nation is Christian in name and heritage (it also has pagan roots). We are now in/ are moving swiftly towards a post-Christian era.
And just before the bit that you quoted from the interview, here’s what Obama says when asked about Jesus:
“GG:
Who’s Jesus to you?
(He laughs nervously)
OBAMA:
Right. Jesus is an historical figure for me, and he’s also a bridge between God and man, in the Christian faith, and one that I think is powerful precisely because he serves as that means of us reaching something higher.
And he’s also a wonderful teacher. I think it’s important for all of us, of whatever faith, to have teachers in the flesh and also teachers in history.”
I’m not one for either Dobson or Obama. Both are lopsided in their understandings of faith. Both pull doctrine and “truth” out of their asses. Most everything starts with “I think…” or “For me…” One of the scariest lines in that interview that popped out to me was his answer to the question of reading the Bible. He said his “internal monologue” supplants his opportunity to read and reflect. Wait… he means that the voices in his head tell him solid doctrine? That’s an easy and not uncommon copout to understanding a faith in Jesus.
As far as the church-and-state debate, I agree with Barack – it’s comforting to know that America was colonized and founded by people trying to get away from religion and theocracy in the first place. Can you imagine what kind of theocracy we’d get nowadays with the ‘moral majority’ nuts still running rampant? Yikes!
Scot McKnight, over at Jesus Creed, has some good thoughts about this: http://www.jesuscreed.org/?p=4008
Shocked? No. Dismayed? Yes, simply because Dobson gets so much attention that he could be using this to build those bridges rather than erect more walls.
I also have huge issues with being attacked for who I choose to support politically; so unfortunately I end up keeping rather quiet on the matter, a rarity for me. I tend to be opinionated and vocal. But when people attack me and my faith, telling me I can’t possibly be a Christian if I vote a particular way or listen to NPR, or whatever, I smile and let it go and simply affirm that I love Jesus, am doing the best I can and that not everyone will always agree. Sigh.
Kathy,
I won’t attack you for voting democrat. I actually vote both parties. Not that it really makes a difference. I will be attacked for saying this… I am a one issue voter and I already know that my issue will, realistically, probably never be resolved. It’s a matter of flipping the balance on the Supreme Court for this one. It’s just about conviction of the principle of the matter for me.
It’s really bad that 4,000 soldiers and tens of thousands of Iraqi and Afghans have died in the last 5 years. But what if our politicians put us on the tab for 45 million lives?
Here’s the ideals of guy I won’t vote for….
“If (my daughters) make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby” – Senator Barack Obama
The Audacity.
-Jud
It seems to me that there are far too many one issue voters (abortion, homosexuality) who claim to be Christian, however fundamentally “forget” about the Gospels. You remember, love thy neighbor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, anoint the sick….things that many “conservatives” conveniently forget to do while they are condemning everyone else for their actions. Maybe if conservatives who are against abortion would take care of people while they are actually living (food, healthcare, living wage) opposed to while they are still in the womb, more people wouldn’t be afraid to bring a child into this world.
My favorit shirt that I have says
“Sure I’m a Christian Fundamentalist!”
and then quotes Isaiah 58:6-7
“Remove the chains of oppression and the yoke of injustice, and let the oppressed go free. Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor.”
Stephanie,
Oh boy, So since I tend to be a conservative and by principle the Abortion issue trumps them all I probably don’t care about the homeless, the poor, the hungry, the sick. Right?
Exactly where do you get spoon fed this propaganda?
– For starters, probably the greatest quote EVER…
‘The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’ – Ronald Reagan
This is why I will more than likely always be a fiscal conservative.
– You want to make a broad assumption that conservative fundamentalists don’t care about people? Show me the numbers to back that up please.
– Liberals are more charitable? Really. Show me the numbers to back that up.
– According to official tax documents Vice President Dick Cheney the poster child for evil conservativism has given as much as 78% of his wealth to the church or other charities. Mind you he’s already giving @ 40% to taxes in his bracket. Barrack Obama, the poster child for hope house hold household gave at the most 6 percent of his personal wealth to charity. LESS THAN 2% before he was involved in politics. Less than .05% in 2003-2004.
For the record… The Clinton’s, as much as 9.4%
The Bush’s as much as 12.2%
What you’ve become a victim of is propaganda. I think both sides actually believe in giving. Conservatives you see tend to think giving is a private matter, Liberals believe it’s the Governments job to take care of what we “give”. That is called Socialism.
Really, Stephanie, I look forward to seeing the proof you have that most Christians don’t care about the poor, the sick and the hungry.
-Jud
“If (my daughters) make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby”
Wow, I’m really disappointed he said that. One problem that I have with Americans is that we don’t want to face the consequences for our actions.
But I still want Obama for president.
Christians don’t necessarily make the best presidents. I mean look at George W. Bush. He made things worse….
George Bush is a Christian?
-Jud
where have you been?
I’ve seen Bush on several occasions profess to be a Universalist…..
uh oh… I used the “U” word again.
-Jud
He probably doesn’t even know what that is.
Well he goes to a Methodist Church and is of the religious nature.
My point is that he is a believer in God and pretty much believes a lot of the same things Christians do. Doesn’t matter what he calls himself. He does share a lot of the same beliefs.
I think it’s time to let this debate die.
Besides, the “U word” is an idea that many biblical scholars have believed and discussed for the last 2000 years, long before the Americanized “only the saved get to heaven” version of the gospel came along.
you suck.
I suck? You just actually took the time to write that I suck? Haha. That’s sad.
=P
What does the Americanized “only the saved get to Heaven” mean?