Dobson: “He Doesn’t Speak for all the Christians in America… I Do”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Thu, March 15, 2007
- Viewed 478
- (53) comments so far
This is curious for a number of reasons, not least of which is that Dobson is not a member of NAE.
SOURCE: The Dallas News Religion Blog
Is it just me, or are there too many people trying to speak for me (as a Christian) these days? And it seems that none of them can agree with each other; but they all want to speak for me.
Whether it’s Rev. Cizik’s environmental stance, Dobson’s insistance that Sponge Bob is pro-gay, or Pat Robertson’s public revelation that there will be a ‘mass killing’ in 2007, I’m really tired of having any of these men speak for me.
For one, I didn’t ask them to speak for me; and two: I can make myself look foolish (thank you very much).
So… Richard, James, Pat (and others)… isn’t it possible to run the ministries and do the jobs that God has called you to do without calling a press conference every other day to speak for me?
Or, at least, next time, give me a call before you tell everyone what I think. That seems like only the “Christian” thing to do.
**End Rant**
(And please don’t criticize my criticization) (is that a word?). I don’t hold anything against anyone in this post… they are all fine men… I just wish they’d stop trying to speak for all of us. Well, at least for me (I don’t want to speak for you)! 
Todd
This from the Dallas News Religion Blog: The Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president of the National Association of Evangelicals, happens to believe that global warming is bad. This makes him unacceptable as a Christian leader, in the mind of James Dobson. In a March 1 letter to L. Roy Taylor, chairman of the NAE board, Dobson and others wrote that Cizik's environmental activism is “demoralizing.” “If he cannot be trusted to articulate the views of American evangelicals on environmental issues, then we respectfully suggest that he be encouraged to resign his position with the NAE,” the letter said...
Comments
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RevJeff on Fri, March 16, 2007
Kudos for TODD -
Only MMI could get so much passion going on a Friday post.
Not in defense of any of the celebrities, but to danielR’s point… One reason we must be active i the “hoomosexual agenda debate” is precisely because they are such a small percentage of the population and yet their “preferential status” (MY WORDS - on my own behalf) directs more of our national time, politidal energy and financial resources that any other subset of society…
i.e. does Travelocity (or any other travel site) have a link for Jewish vacations, black or hispanic travel offers, or even “cruises for athiests.”
The “squeaky minority” has become a POLITICAL crisis in our country… As for BIBLICAL reasoning, yeah - the Bible is against homosexuality…. but that’s not the point of this post…
don on Sat, March 17, 2007
National Association of Evangelicals—This is a problem! Too bad Christianity is now an organization.
“This makes him unacceptable as a Christian leader, in the mind of James Dobson.” This is a huge problem.
No wonder the world scoffs at us.
danny on Sun, March 18, 2007
I think Wendi hit the nail on the head. “Let’s look at the political stands Jesus took”....NONE”. It seems to me that the issues of
importance to Christ were, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” and “I am the living water, drink from me and you will never thirst again”. The POINT to me is “first things first”. We are not called to political agendas, at least not to the point of trading in our “pulpit” for political position. How I wish that believers in the limelight would re-focus their platforms to be “Christ-centered” and start trying with greater effort to simply out-grace the rest of the world instead of attempting to legislate their religious point of view. So, what if a far left liberal gets elected? Has God stopped being God in America? What if the far right guy gets elected. Has God’s plan now been carried out? Is the Father’s desire that we effect change on the gay marriage agenda, or that we introduce a lost world, straight AND gay alike, to His unconditional love and grace?? EVERY side has an opinion and an agenda. Maybe we should stop taking “sides” and share with the world the ONE THING they can’t find on CNN or Fox news!!!!
ChriS on Mon, March 19, 2007
American Christians no longer fit any “Profile” to a T! We are so diverse in our beliefs and how we live not even your Mama could speak for you, let alone your Pastor or National Leader. I think Dobson should use a bit more wisdom at the end of the day Global Warming has little impact upon our Nation’s salvation. Thousands die each day without knowing Christ and we are agruing the merits of Global Warming. I don’t have an opinion on wether Global Warming is fact or the next Political Cash Cow for politicians and scientists who have a vested interest…but I do know we should do all we can to control pollution, because unless Jesus comes back today or tomorrow, my kids and someday grandkids have to live on what I leave them. There are issues that Dobson and others have done well on…this is just one that never should have been brought up.
99% Of all Pastors and Christians have no business on public media…because they usually say something stupid or if they say something truthful yet unpopular the Media Spin is enough that it voids what was said.
Jesus speaks for me and I am learning to follow Him. He had no opinions of His own but only spoke what He heard from the Father.
Tim H on Tue, March 20, 2007
Todd,
My favorite line was: I can make myself look foolish (thank you very much).
I think on that point, you spoke for me as well. ... I actually agreed with you on the other points as well.
My problem for quite some time with Dr. Dobson and others has been his move toward closely associating Christianity with the Republican party. The problem is that once they’re in bed together, it’s hard to be objective about the shortcomings of the Republicans, their leadership, or their agendas. (The same would be true if he were a Democrat.)
The challenge for us as Christians is to keep our ultimate allegiance to Christ, and to not become so bound to any other organization or philosphy that we can’t speak out against its shortcomings.
I’ve ranted more than I intended to. ... Thanks again for the line about not needing more help looking foolish. As one who often defines “foolish” I really appreciated it. http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/grin.gif
Tim
Aaron on Mon, April 02, 2007
I don’t like the idea of someone saying they are what a christian is and totally misleading people nor do I like people saying that they speak for me. I think Dobson might have been asking the question, are we going to make the enviornmental debate a doctrinal debate. Oh, and was Dobson a pastor? I thought he was a christian psychologist that started his center for preserving the biblical family model.
Andy on Fri, April 13, 2007
When will Dobson retire? Isn’t the guy a child psychologist? Couldn’t he stick with commenting authoritatively on that? Oh no, that’s right . . . everything “affects the family” so he is free to pontificate on any issue from Bible translations to global warming to immigration.
Jerry on Tue, June 24, 2008
Todd, It would pay to listen to those who know what they are talking about. You better read 2 Timothy 3:1-5. That goes right along with what many of these evangelists are speaking about.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. *Have nothing to do with them.*
John on Wed, June 25, 2008
hello, I am amazed at how Dobson thinks he is the final word on biblical interpretation. I do not and have not agreed with him. I used to live in Colo. Springs and remember hearing over the news on the radio and T.V. about James Dobson being connected with a underage sex scandal, and then suddenly one never heard about it again. How very strange that is. No one else could make something like that disappear over night.
Tim H on Wed, June 25, 2008
Well, John, regardless of one’s feelings about Dobson, it’s never appropriate to spread unsubstantiated rumors about which you have absolutely no firsthand knowledge.
C’mon…. Assuming that this is a discussion among believers, I’d hope for better than that.
John on Thu, June 26, 2008
Hey folks, I am not spreading any rumor about Dobson. The T.V. and radio new reported these things. I only found it strange that it disappeared so fast. No-one else has been able to make something like that disappear, guilty or innocent, it doesn’t matter. All I want is honesty. I only state what the news reported. C’mon I expect believers to never ignor what is the news, it is believers job to investigate and then to discern as Soloman did. Not to ignor something or write it off because it is unpleasant. C"mon I expect better from believers.
Wendi on Thu, June 26, 2008
John -
When you make a “factual” statement that in a public forum like this, which you have seen and heard in the news, then you have a moral obligation to cite your source. Stating that something is “in the news” is not citing a source. Which news outlet, on which day. We should be able to corroborate your statements, especially if you want us not to ignore them.
Wendi
John on Thu, June 26, 2008
I believe that peolpe should start using discenment instead of opinion. Discernment can only enacted upon investigation. All else is opinion. WE need to investagate our leader and all those in public places and discern what they tell us to believe. How can Chistians be the light of the world if they canot get along with other christians. Jesus said the Greastest commandment is “Love one another as I have loved you. Judgement is reserved for Him alone. This is my problen with Mr. James Dobson. He has decided it is his job tell people who nd what they are supposed to be. This is blasphemy. That job is the Lords alone. Judge not least ye’ be judged is what my Bible tells me. If a person lives as an example of Christ, giving forth love to the world as Jesus commanded, and give forth love to the world using discernment so as not to be fooled. WE as Christians can truely make the world better place. Not because we tell people to, but because other will see the Christ example within us shining forth.The strength and passion of that truth will change nonbeliever because they will want what ythey see. Instead of rebelling against what they are told. May the LORD bless each of us everywhere.
Wendi on Thu, June 26, 2008
John -
In order for us to discern, please cite the source of your accusations against Dobson., as I already asked. At this point we cannot corroborate your statements, so we are left to assume you are only giving us your opinion, which you later said we should not use for discernment. Unless you can cite your source, your comments are much worse than rumor and gossip, they are defamation.
And I think you know from reading my posts that I am no fan of James Dobson. I agree with you that he has made himself into person through whom every American (not just every Christian) must filter their moral and ethical decisions, and the one who knows how every difficult and complicated biblical passage should be interpreted and applied to life and practice. However arrogant and inappropriate this behavior is, it’s not blasphemy (unless he’s God – and I don’t think he thinks that).
Wendi
John on Thu, June 26, 2008
One last note.
Wendi wanted me to site me reasoning so it would not be viewed as opinion. Just look at the top of the article wendi. Just because he , Mr. Dobson, doesnot agree with global warming, he “sites” that The Rev. Richard Cizik is an unfit leader in a group that Mr. Dobson does not belong to. This only devides people. I donot really Know if Global warming is real or just a cycle. But I do know there is too much pollution done by people. A fact. That Is why I moved from Denver to Colo. spring in the first place, to many days with dangerous air quaility from human pollution. And we as a society need to do all we can to clean it up. I donot care if it is global warming or not, it is a problem - fact not opinion.
How can someone be called unfit when he cares about the world he leaves to his children. Do I need to site more documentation or does this make the point in a clear and rational manner of discernment.
But I agree, blasphemy may have been too stong of a term. Even though the point was correct.
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