I was wondering when James Dobson was going to throw his two cents in. It has been a while since I’ve heard anything significant from Dr. Dobson regarding presidential politics. That could be because I don’t tune in regularly to hear what the Doc has to say. But, I caught this comment from Dobson regarding candidate Obama this morning on my news feed:
“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.”
Shout out to Mr. Field for the heads-up on this one. I enjoy reading his blog, The Field Negro, which is loaded with perspectives from his experience as an African American male.
Comon, Doctor D. Somebody’s gonna flip that shit over on you. If anyone distorts “the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview”, its Dr. James Dobson. Unfortunately, “the traditional understanding of the Bible” means somethingto James Dobson. I think he probably means “the traditional dominant Anglo-male understanding of the Bible”. Don’t forget that history was written by the victors. So much theology became “traditional” in the same way the history was written, in order to reinforce and support the systems of power that the victors established. The Bible has indeed been used in a distorted way to fit a worldview, Mr. Dobson. Just remember, Doctor D. … Any time you point the finger, there are three fingers pointing back at you.
BTW… I suspect that the coffers at Focus on the Family are running low. A little bit of fear-mongering ought to solve that problem. Why are evangelicals so persuaded by the fear-laced garbage spread by organizations like F on the F? Really, is giving money to Doctor D going to “save the culture”? Just remember faithful brethren… LOVE drives out FEAR.
I’m afraid this could be the episode of politics where Doctor D fades into the footnotes. There are new expressions of the “traditional” faith on the move… and fear will not motivate the people of God for much longer. Doc… change your tune, or fade away.
3 responses so far ↓
1 dansjourney // Jun 25, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Wow…that was an intense response. I agree mostly. I think you might splitting a bit on the all bad side on FOF though. It’s not all bad. It’s certainly not all good. But, let’s all take a deep breath and not be hypocritical in our responses to the remarks made by Dobson. Is he wrong? Yes. But, the response here is so angry and not loving (Now I couldn’t tell if this was yours or the F.N.’s. I went to his site and didn’t see this response, so, I am guessing this is yours).
2 Chad // Jun 25, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Would you apply the same standards of tameness and charity to the Doc. I’m sure he’s made far more “angry and not loving” charges towards homosexuals, anyone he can label ‘liberal’, antiwar politicians, and the like?
Your guess would be correct. The response is mine, but not mine alone. I’m so fed up with the gullibility of God’s people. Doc just spoon feeds people his understanding of the issues over the airwaves, and we just suck it in while we’re commuting so we’ll know how to vote in November. Please, Doc, think for me. BTW, I know this doesn’t apply to you. But, there are way too many evangelical Dobsonians. My point in the post is that he’ll be judged by the same standard he’s using to judge Obama. I’ll be very content when the Doc becomes a political has-been. Angry… yes… to put it mildly, angry.
3 dansjourney // Jun 30, 2008 at 10:31 am
Yeah dude…for sure I apply the same standards. I have spoken about it many times. I think that we have to practice what we preach even when it comes to Dobson. I want Dobsonian politics gone too.