MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Dobson: “He Doesn’t Speak for all the Christians in America… I Do”

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Thu, March 15, 2007
Viewed 184
(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.

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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Tim H on Fri, June 27, 2008

John,

Wendi is absolutely correct. If you say, “Fred Jones was accused of having child porn on his PC in the news…” you have defamed Fred Jones, without having providing anything to substantiate your assertion. Even saying that someone is ACCUSED of something can be tremendously damaging. If your assertion about Dobson was accurate (and I’m not saying it was or wasn’t) then tracking down the original story should be pretty easy, given the power of Google and other search engines.

The fact that you still don’t get it is equally bothersome. Basically, you were spreading rumors (as I stated a couple of days ago) about which you had not firsthand knowledge or evidence. In scripture, bearing false witness and gossip are looked upon as very serious actions… Certainly actions that believers shouldn’t engage in. That’s the point that Wendi and I both tried to make.

We weren’t saying that you made anything up. Just that if you make an accusation against a brother in Christ (whether you like him or not) you’d darn well better be able to back up your statement or you’re sinning against him, and against family of believers.

OK. I’m off my podium now… Carry one…
Tim H on Fri, June 27, 2008

Er… I mean carry on.
Leonard Lee on Fri, June 27, 2008

I have never heard Dobson say he wanted to have the Bible be the rule of thumb for every walk of life in a legislative capacity. I have never heard him say that he wants a theocracy.

I do not know his motives nor do I know his personal walk. However I have seen his passion for the Lord and for the family. I know many of you do not agree with his politics but I think we have to put Dobson in a time and place in our history. One problem we have as people is our rush to judgment. I see huge positive impact from Dobson, have experienced it first hand.

He has helped keep me informed of things that do directly impact the family, fought for values, using tools at his disposal legally, has been consistent in what he stands for and what he stands against. His family and family life seem to have been consistent with his teaching.

He also does speak for many people. His beliefs are in line with millions upon millions of people across this country and world. His passion for a biblical approach to issues like abortion and homosexuality have not left him in the Fred Phelps category, he backs up his passion with a lot of ministry.

I say this because of the harshness that has come from people here. Dobson does not speak for me, nor does he seek to create a theocracy. He is well within his rights to be political and well within his faith to seek to influence the country he loves and lives within by the means his country provides. His help to pastors, churches, families, single moms, desperate dads is so huge none of us here could measure it.

Can I encourage as much charity towards someone whose life and ministry have at least had a measurable impact on families, churches and pastors? Thanks.
Wendi on Fri, June 27, 2008

Leonard,

I appreciate your perspective and I too appreciate much of Dobson’s ministry over the years. I recall listening to him on the radio when we were having a tense disagreement with our 15 year old son (now 29) who wanted to die his hair. Dobson said (my paraphrase) that he and Shirley decided that if something their child was doing was going to make no difference in 10 years, it was probably not a hill to die on. That night I got home from work, took my son to the drug store to buy hair die and helped him turn his blond hair red. This was sensible advice and helped our relationship greatly.

However, I think Dobson’s actions speak about what he hasn’t said. He may not have specifically SAID that he wants the bible to be the rule of thumb for all legislation, but his many statements (including criticizing Obama’s theology) indicate otherwise. If he didn’t want a theocracy, then why would he work so hard to impose Christian laws onto a country whose constitution intentionally provides for and endorses pluralism. Obama is right (from this week’s thread), in a democracy we cannot, must not, use any religion to help us frame our laws. I think DanielR posed this question on the other thread. What if in 20 years, the majority of American lawmakers were Muslim. Would we agree that the Koran should guide our lawmaking?

I have no issues with Dobson and others theology. Of course he is within his rights politically, but I don’t believe his methods are right biblically. In fact, to use his faith as political leverage, IMO, prostitutes it. The worst part, as I believe I said earlier on this thread, is that he only has power if he persuades lawmakers that he speaks for millions of evangelicals. That is what lobbyists do, and Dobson is more than anything (these days), a lobbyist. Ask anyone in Washington what group he represents, and they’ll tell you it’s the voting block of evangelicals. This perception didn’t accidently come about because he’s spent a few years calling his senator with his personal opinions.

Wendi
John on Sat, June 28, 2008

This is to wendi, my last entry turned my stomach so i really needed to add to it. Why should my words carry any worth I am only a combat trained ex-marine who has lead men into battle and shed my own blood. What would I know about the world I have only flown across it 8 times. Or how would i know right from wrong I have only aquired land on 3 continents and built shelters to feed hungry people without the help of any church or group. No wonder it is so easy for you to discredit a mans words from your sheltered life, what have you really done to help some one or make a difference. My entire troop heard about dobson over the tv. and radio, We have tapes of it. Remember Colo is also a place for military christian and otherwise.

I am just not used to having my words discredited, Generals and public officials take my recommendations at my word. And this is good enough to risk men and womens lives, while I pray for their children, they give me they picture when I send them into conflict. Pretty good for a mostly retarted disillusional person. May God save us all.
John on Sat, June 28, 2008

wendi These people live and fight and die by the same word you place no value on. It’s 4am now I can sleep until dawn. Hope you get more
John on Sat, June 28, 2008

wendi I should not have talked in such a manner. My life is my life. it has no reflection on any one else or value for anyone else. It was not proper for me to address another in such a manner. I am sure your are a good person and do what you think is right. Let us drop this issue and leave on a kind word. God bless you wendi. Please don’t respond and you will not hear from me again. As we both continue on our paths as best we can, with the help and light of Christ.

Good-bye. I wish you well. I am sure you are doing good for this world, I hope I am too. Good night.
Leonard Lee on Sat, June 28, 2008

John, you seem a bit conflicted. I am praying for you today.