Dobson: “He Doesn’t Speak for all the Christians in America… I Do”
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Thu, March 15, 2007
- Viewed 185
- (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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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.
John on Thu, June 26, 2008
I want to add, That if Mr. Dobson does note believe in Global warming, would not the proper thing to do is stae how he thinks this should be handled and reach out to the Rev. Cizik with loving christian generosity, have a conversation and try to solve the differences of ideas and look for an inclusive way of bringing people and ideas together, as a way of sharing and teaching. Instead of a self appointed authority who calls for th removal of someone who has a different idea. All this does is divide. Question - does he think the Rev. love Jesus any less than he does? This is not an accusation on any level, It is simply a question. Should that not be the heart of the matter. Question to you wendi, should not a christian leaders value be judge or based upon his or her relationship with christ and the space Jesus fills in thier life? Or should thier value be base upon ideas? I hope not.
Wendi on Fri, June 27, 2008
John –
You don’t seem to understand what it means to cite your sources. You said:
“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.”
You respond to me by explaining what Dobson has said and done that causes you to have a negative opinion of him. You DID NOT tell us which news and radio sources reported Dobson being involved in an underage sex scandal and when it was reported so that we could verify the information you reported.
When Dobson criticizes Cizik for his position on global warning, he is not accusing him of committing a crime that he doesn’t have evidence for. I agree that this behavior by Dobson is ridiculous, but he certainly did not “cite” anything, he simply used his platform to assert his opinion.
This is an old thread (original posted in March) and most others seem to have moved on to other discussions (it’s just you and I discussing here). However, I know from participating on this blog regularly that making unsubstantiated and inflammatory claims that cannot be backed up is highly frowned upon.
I largely agree with your opinion about Dobson, but you need to back up the statement about an underage sex scandal or apologize for it and retract the statement. I persist in trying to make this point because I believe your behavior (making outrageous and unsubstantiated charges against a brother in Christ), is just as damaging to the kingdom as Dobson’s behavior is.
Wendi
John on Fri, June 27, 2008
wendi Let me make myself perfectly clear. I did not or am accusing anyone of anything.
Over the Tv and radio the news came out and then disappear. I never said Mr Dobson touched anyone or was guilty of anything. Mr Dobson might not even know of this, It may have even been a mistaken report, but all the same the story was broadcast. I was hoping some one else reading this might have heard it as well. I have accused the man of nothing. Now do you realy think the good lord doesn’t know the truth either way. And will deal will each of us according to our own works, You cannot damage my place in the afterlife, nor can I damage His. I don’t agree with his politics but I never said anything about anyone as a person, that is for he lord. NOW THIS MATTER IS CLOSED.
John on Fri, June 27, 2008
wendi I have no source for nothing i have nothing to report. evething i have ever said in mylife is wrong dis-miss anything you have heard from my direction your and your are correct i mis-stated i’m must be mostly retarted or dis-illusional, please go on with your life being correct and honorable for i must be niether may god save us all
Wendi on Fri, June 27, 2008
C’mon John. You are being childish. I’ve asked you to support the accusation you apparently heard on the news and when you can’t do so you make yourself into the victim; “everything I’ve said in my life is wrong” or “I am mostly retarded or delusional.”
I agreed with your opinion about Dobson. If you’re sure that you heard it, with a little web research you should be able to direct us to a news program or local network affiliate. If not, then why not simply say “I’m sorry, I repeated something that I can’t substantiate and I shouldn’t have.”
Of course I don’t think you are retarded or delusional, but prideful? Perhaps.
Wendi
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