Once again, James Dobson is making his play to be the next Pat Robertson. And I don't mean that in a good way.
According to CNN, Dobson has challenged Fred Thompson (former Watergate lawyer, Tennessee senator, and current Law and Order actor) to prove his Christianity. And this brings to mind several questions:
1) What gives James freaking Dobson the right to ask Thompson this question? Seriously, does Dobson think he speaks for all the Christians in America to be able to ask this?
2) Has Dobson used his position of apparently the spokesman for Christians to challenge the other candidates similarly? Both Republican and Democrat?
3) For a man who claims his organization to be unpolitical, why is he getting so involved? Does he really think that the Democrats getting elected is such a horrible thing and so he must get the Republicans back in office?
4) Interestingly enough, Thompson was baptized into the Church of Christ. Hopefully, if he becomes president, he'll address such important issues as instrumental music and the influence of liberals in the church.
5) Is talking this much about Dobson just giving him the plugging he wants? Why should I care what some guy who has decided he has the importance to challenge possible presidential candidates thinks? Is Dobson really that influential?
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Well, I was going to write a really long-winded thing, but you said it all much better and more succinctly.
) What give James freaking Dobson the right to ask Thompson this question? Seriously, does Dobson think he speaks for all the Christians in America to be able to ask this?
I'm sorry, but all the Christians in the WORLD don't need to ask this. It's God's business. Not ours.
) Has Dobson used his position of apparently the spokesman for Christians to challenge the other candidates similarly?
I hope he doesn't. He sure doesn't speak for me in the slightest. I'd just as soon he stop with the whole thing. What's next? Dunking? If he drowns, he was a Christian, if he floats he is a Democrat?
5) Is talking this much about Dobson just giving him the plugging he wants?
Yep. And no. All the political fiends seem to take him at his every word, even if only for the purposes of mocking.
I'd just as soon see Christians speak up and say our piece.
Hopefully, if he becomes president, he'll address such important issues as instrumental music and the influence of liberals in the church.
LOL!!!!
I'm laughing with Malia...
In this case, I think exposing his inanity is far more important than ignoring him and hoping his influence will wane.
what I'm trying to figure out is..who still 'believes' in this guy. The blog-a-teria, from right to left, is slamming him.
The instrumental music thing cracked me up.
While on many levels I respect and admire Dr. Dobson, regrettably, he has apparently gone the way of a lot of very visible spiritual leaders and has begun to think a bit more highly of his own opinions than he should. Sadly, this happens far too often. When our egos get stroked, it's bound to catch up with us eventually. The bad thing is that quotes like this one from Dobson make the Christian perspective taken less seriously.
And, I like Thompson!
I love point #4. Hilarious. I don't know why, but it made me think of my favorite church of Christ joke.
Why aren't members of the Church of Christ allowed to have sex standing up? Because it looks too much like dancing.
Maybe that's why we shouldn't have anyone saying that God's party is Republican, or Democrat. I mean, Dobson only has "power" because there are people that think if there aren't Republicans in the White House, then God's gonna punish our country.
Check out www.thecall.com I'm gonna have to deal with these insane people this weekend, since I live less than a mile from the stadium. If I had less to do, I would infiltrate, and report on the crazyness they spout. The whole reason they are having this conference is to fast and pray for forgiveness for our country having elected Democrats. No joke there.
I would not take CNN's word for anything. You should go directly to Mr.Dobson to clarify. Liberal media always distorts the truth.
Good advice, Chris. Here's the link to the US News article: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/070328/28dobson.htm
Since Dobson called US News unsolicited and one of his spokesmen reiterated his comment that they doubt Thompson's Christianity, I think it's safe to say CNN reported this accurately.
I think it's high time Dobson start looking on the other side of the aisle for some family values. In Clinton you see a woman who refused to give up on marriage despite the absolute worst thing possible happening in it. Edwards and Obama both are still on their "starter" wives as the Republican candidates would call them. And the Gore's are so lovey-dovey it makes you sick.
I believe this says far more about our spiritual leaders than it does about politicians or even average citizens.
Lately all we see in the news is one highly publicized falling apart ministry after another.
Perhaps if we Christians would clean our own house......
The bad side of power consumes as many if not more spiritual leaders as it does politicians.
We've all even seen it EVEN in local churches.
We (the church) needs to look within ourselves first.
Sad testament I'm afraid.
Do you think that's why Jesus preached that we humble ourselves, rather than seek power? Because he knew what would happen? Maybe if the church tried being the church instead of trying be the government, the world would be a better place.
"Is Dobson really that influential?"
unfortunately i think he is. someone needs to help him remember who his master is.
I think it's all in what the person is seeking. If they are seeking power, recognition and ego stroking, then that is what they'll likely receive. If they are seeking to truly be a God fearing servant (whether in the church or in politics), well then the focus is much different isn't it.
The power thing doesn't happen with all people, but it does appear that certain personality types are at risk.
I personally have seen it more often in spiritual leaders than in politicans. I see spiritual leaders who begin to believe the sometimes very public hype of how important they are in the kingdom and how well they lead others. Because it's "kingdom" related, they feel justified and sanctified. It does tremendous damage to that very Kingdom they began serving, sometimes many years ago.
Regretfully we see this playing out over and over on this news. It's these personalities that generally have more followers of them than followers of Jesus. Which also feeds the power hunger.
And you see the same thing with politics. People become so wrapped up in a personality that they forget the philosphy that they began working toward. (Could be why we see so many choosing up sides for the Presidential Race of 08 so soon.)
I personally believe that this DOESN'T happen more than it does. BUT when there is a big public power grab, it gets lots of attention.
And by the way Justin, I believe you are very correct in saying that the church needs to be the church. The church was called to do many things that we as a American church are content on letting government attempt to take care of.
It's amazing that lazy churches and church members often like to blame government for what the church should be doing.
IMHO
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