.jpg)
Dr. James Dobson
(Focus on the Family)
When Dr. James Dobson said Tuesday that Barack Obama was “distorting” biblical understanding and had a “fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution,” some questioned whether the Focus on the Family leader was trying to stir up trouble by dusting off a two-year-old speech by the Democrat.
That’s not true, says Focus spokesman Gary Schneeberger.
“It came to our attention because it’s sort of gone viral on the internet,” Scheeberger explains.
After a friend forwarded him a chain email with a five-minute excerpt of the speech, Schneeberger passed it along to his boss at the Colorado Springs-based evangelical organization. In remarks Obama made in June, 2006 to a liberal Christian group, Obama said “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 be teach in the schools? Would we go with James Dobson’s or Al Sharpton’s?” – referring to the New York African-American activist.
Barack Obama -- fruitcake
views? (Obama Campaign)
Obama went on to say “folks haven’t been reading their bibles” and suggested that there were biblical inconsistencies, asserting that Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was a message “that is so radical that it’s doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application.”
Schneeberger says Dobson’s reaction to this, reinforced by the complete text of the speech, was one of “alarm.” And from that came the idea to go public with a statement that was both political and religion-oriented.
“It gives us insights not only into Senator Obama’s interpretation of Scripture…but also how he views the role of religion in the Public Square. Of faith, as it relates to policy-making,” Schneeberger says. “And that’s the reason Dr. Dobson, who through the years has been a strong proponent for family policies in state, local and federal governments" decided to talk about the topic.
In his own broadcast counterpoint, Dobson noted that Obama’s references amounted to “dragging biblical understanding through the gutter.” He also blasted Obama’s assertion that religiously-inclined people must address issues such as abortion in ways the go beyond a single faith and make arguments that all people can understand.
“What he’s trying to say here is unless everybody agrees, we have no right to fight for what we believe,” Dobson said in the program.
.jpg)
Gary Schneeberger
(Focus on the Family)
And while the Obama camp issued a statement saying that they were reaching out to people of all faiths, and the candidate himself said that Dobson was “making stuff up,” Schneeberger says nobody made anything up, and this debate isn’t over, even if it has been spiced up with the admittedly “colorful” term.
“Our hope is that this is an on-going debate,” he says. “What’s been encouraging to us in the two or three days since this story broke is the dialog people have engaged in on that subject. Exactly what does Sen. Obama believe? There are people who disagree, and believe Dr. Dobson’s reading of the speech is wrong. That’s their prerogative. Others agree with Dr. Dobson.”
That exchange, it seems, has already included some prior telephone contact between the Colorado Springs organization staff -- which has publicly distanced itself from Sen. John McCain -- and the Obama presidential campaign. Although nothing is definite – and Dobson himself is now out of the office working on a book – a meeting could happen, Schneeberger allows.
“Dr. Dobson would be open to that,” he says. Boxing gloves, it seems, wouldn’t be necessary, even in the clash between liberal and conservative views.
“You can be friendly and cordial even if you disagree vehemently on the issues,” he says.
If Dobson and Obama ever met for discussions, Schneeberger says he's certain of one thing: “The principles Dr. Dobson has championed for 32 years now in the Public Square have not wavered. My very strong hunch is that Dr. Dobson wouldn’t walk out of any such meeting with his mind changed.”
OR
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
Comments
Obama has a lot of Republicans worried as witnessed by their numerous attacks on anything and everything he says or does that might in any way be construed as "unusual". How many of them, however, want to recall what eight years of Republican administration has done to America and the American economy? Instead of attacking Obama, why don't they try to defend the largest budget deficit in history; a deficit larger than all 42 other presidents combined? To me, all I see are smoke and mirrors designed to divert attention from the real matters at hand. Obama is a good choice for president. Will you Republicans stop stealing the Obama signs out of my front yard?
Both people have the right to their opinions, etc. but before anyone uses the public pulpit to criticize another person's comments, a very complete reading of the text, and even listening to the tape, if it were available, is in order. Obama is contrasting Dobson with Sharpton, for example, not linking them. In addition, I don't see how Dobson's interpretation of Obama's discussion of the many views in society can be interpreted as a fruitcake interpretation of the consitution. Quite the opposite is true, if anything: We are guaranteed by the constitution to be able to express any viewpoint, even if it is on the fringe. It doesn't guarantee that that view is to be followed and Obama sure doesn't say that.
I've heard Dobson's radio program and read his stuff since 1977 and this response confirms what I've been finding more and more: Dobson may say, at times, that his program isn't political, but, obviously, it is. He may claim to hear what others say, but he isn't a careful reader. He tends to take small examples and over generalize on that evidence in many areas on his radio show.
How well do you know James Dobson?: http://www.236.com/news/2008/06/27/quick_quiz_james_dobson_7401.php
Obama's interpretation of the bible is how he interprets anything: he changes it every day. This man needs to go to bible study IF he is a Christian (I have doublts). He is a silver tongued liar who will say anything for votes. He's now trying to be a conservation Christian. Listening to Wright for over twenty years and sitting in the pew not leaving when he heard the hate from Wright's mouth is not a Christian moment. Don't believe this man. He's wrong, wrong for America
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!