Dr. Dobson Does Not Speak For Me

This week Dr. James Dobson, a man that I have greatly admired over the years, apparently had a bad day or simply became entangled in the heat of politics to the detriment of his rationality.  He assailed Barak Obama on his radio broadcast, denouncing his Christian conversion, as well as, his understanding of the constitution.  Review his comments HERE

In June 2006 Mr. Obama gave a speach specifing his spiritual position and outlook.  It was not lunatic or the words of a close closet muslim.  Although I may not agree with his theology in total, I do not find his positions anti-christian or athiestic. Here is the speach.

I was thrilled when Roland Martin of CNN posted a response from a Bush confidant, Barak supporter, and officiant at the wedding of First Daughter Jenna, Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston.  This response gave a rational and on-point refutation of the comments of Mr. Dobson.  I have included Rev. Caldwell's letter below.

Mr. Martin's post also included a link to a online petition decrying Dr. Dobson's statement that includes a petition with comments where you can express you disagreement with Dr. Dobsons position.  The website is http://jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com/ and I urge you to post and make a comment about this issue.

Here is a copy of my comment on that website:

I was quite taken aback by Dr. Dobson's statement and rancor. As much as I appreciate his books and commentary, on this issue he is way off the mark.

I support Mr. Obama and look forward to change, any change!!  For years I was a black Ronald Reagan republican.  I even served as a Republican precinct chairman. So I do not support Sen. Obama lightly.

But I believe in the sincerity of his conversion. I also believe that he has a firm grip regarding the constitution and it's application.

I may not agree with him on EVERY issue.  But he is my choice and the choice of many other bible thumpin, sin hatin, blood bought believers as our choice (led of the Holy Spirit) for President of these United States of America

Letter from Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell

Dear friends,
My name is Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell. Some folks know me as one of President Bush's spiritual advisors. I'm also a strong supporter of Barack Obama, because he's a Christian who's unashamed of his faith and wants to bring Americans of all faiths and backgrounds together

Today, Dr. James Dobson from Focus on the Family attacked Barack Obama for a thoughtful, powerful speech that Obama delivered on faith and politics in June of 2006. You can read Obama's speech here and Dobson's attack here.

In his speech, Obama spoke about his own Christian journey. He called on progressives to recognize the power of faith in the lives of millions of Americans. He called on conservatives to uphold the separation of church and state. And he called on both sides to work together to find common ground.

I didn't agree with everything in his speech, but I agreed with Obama's courage, his compassion and his message of healing.

But what did Dr. Dobson say in response?
He called Obama's view of the constitution "fruitcake." He said that Obama was "deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible." And he charged Obama with going to the "lowest common denominator of morality."

Normally, folks don't respond to overheated charges like Dobson's. But not any more.
We have created JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakForMe.com to send a message to Dr. Dobson and the entire country that it's not OK to launch faith-based attacks on other Christians. I am asking American Christians to visit JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakForMe.com http://jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com/and sign the statement below today. Tell Dr. Dobson that he doesn't speak for you when he attacks Barack Obama.

We've already had a number of prominent signers. We hope you'll add your name to the list.
Please go to JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakForMe.com http://jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com/ and sign up today. Or you can simply reply to this email with your name, title, house of worship (optional), and any message you'd like to send.

It's time for Christians to stand up to attacks like this. We honor Dr. Dobson for his service on behalf of American families, but when he unfairly attacks another American, we're here to say: James Dobson Doesn't Speak for Me.

Blessings,
Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell

http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/801072/30587252 Roland Martin's Blog