James Dobson Accuses Obama Of 'Distorting' Bible

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — As Barack Obama broadens his outreach to evangelical voters, one of the movement's biggest names, James Dobson, accuses the likely Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible and pushing a "fruitcake interpretation" of the Constitution.

The criticism, to be aired Tuesday on Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program, comes shortly after an Obama aide suggested a meeting at the organization's headquarters here, said Tom Minnery, senior vice president for government and public policy at Focus on the Family.

The conservative Christian group provided The Associated Press with an advance copy of the pre-taped radio segment, which runs 18 minutes and highlights excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal. Obama mentions Dobson in the speech.

"Even if we did have only Christians in our midst, if we expelled every non-Christian from the United States of America, whose Christianity would we teach in the schools?" Obama said. "Would we go with James Dobson's or Al Sharpton's?" referring to the civil rights leader.

Dobson took aim at examples Obama cited in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy _ chapters like Leviticus, which Obama said suggests slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination, or Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application."

"Folks haven't been reading their Bibles," Obama said.

Dobson and Minnery accused Obama of wrongly equating Old Testament texts and dietary codes that no longer apply to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament.

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology," Dobson said.

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"... He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."

Joshua DuBois, director of religious affairs for Obama's campaign, said in a statement that a full reading of Obama's speech shows he is committed to reaching out to people of faith and standing up for families. "Obama is proud to have the support of millions of Americans of faith and looks forward to working across religious lines to bring our country together," DuBois said.

Dobson reserved some of his harshest criticism for Obama's argument that the religiously motivated must frame debates over issues like abortion not just in their own religion's terms but in arguments accessible to all people.

He said Obama, who supports abortion rights, is trying to govern by the "lowest common denominator of morality," labeling it "a fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution."

"Am I required in a democracy to conform my efforts in the political arena to his bloody notion of what is right with regard to the lives of tiny babies?" Dobson said. "What he's trying to say here is unless everybody agrees, we have no right to fight for what we believe."

The program was paid for by a Focus on the Family affiliate whose donations are taxed, Dobson said, so it's legal for that group to get more involved in politics.

Last week, DuBois, a former Assemblies of God associate minister, called Minnery for what Minnery described as a cordial discussion. He would not go into detail, but said Dubois offered to visit the ministry in August when the Democratic National Convention is in Denver.

A possible Obama visit was not discussed, but Focus is open to one, Minnery said.

McCain also has not met with Dobson. A McCain campaign staffer offered Dobson a meeting with McCain recently in Denver, Minnery said. Dobson declined because he prefers that candidates visit the Focus on the Family campus to learn more about the organization, Minnery said.

Dobson has not backed off his statement that he could not in good conscience vote for McCain because of concerns over the Arizona senator's conservative credentials. Dobson has said he will vote in November but has suggested he might not vote for president.

Obama recently met in Chicago with religious leaders, including conservative evangelicals. His campaign also plans thousands of "American Values House Parties," where participants discuss Obama and religion, as well as a presence on Christian radio and blogs.

Comments

[lewes17266]

these evangelical leaders are all about political organizing and self-promotion and profit
they manipulate bilk and exploit gullibles who desire closeness with God
they are NOT about Christ love mercy kindness they are all about rules and laws and powermongering

i do not understand their tax exempt status

why do these glaring frauds get any attention at all from the media? why do our candidates go to televangelists seeking votes? do they not care that fraud is a crime?



it makes me sick that the candidates seek out these glaring hypocrites, frauds, con artists

[Pyrrhus]

HuffPost's Pick

I think this whole thing was just a misunderstanding. You see, Dobson's version of the sermon on the mount is a variation of what was actually said, and when you read it you'll see why he disagrees with O Bama.

Here's Dobson's version:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdon of the megachurch.

Blessed are the arrogant, for they shall inherit the department of defense.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst for power, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the unmerciful, for they shall obtain false info through torture.

Blessed are the self-righteous, for they shall see their own version of God.

Blessed are the warmakers, for they shall be called the children of the Neocons.

Blessed are they which persecute for their own ends, for theirs is the kingdom of avarice.

And in reference to the law on revenge, Dobson's version saith thusly:

"...but whosoever shall smite thee on the cheek, nuke 'em."

See? Dobson's words make perfect sense when you read what he has in front of him.

[jlbaraban]

James Dobson didn't even attend the conference he referenced. I wish he would Focus on his own damned family!

[Hawkeye17]

If there's anyone in the world who would know about 'distorting the bible' its James Dobson. Welcome to political oblivion James.

[takeamericanback08]

Ted Haggard is back in Colorado Springs so Dolson is diverting attention from the real distorter of the Bible.

[homas]

"I think he's deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview, his own confused theology," Dobson said.

"... He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter."

Seems like the pot calling the kettle black. Dobson and his sheeple followers can't deal with a true Christian who exhibits Christ's love instead of their twisted hate.

[FrictionSoul]

THank you for that. It's true: they're full of hate, especially of themselves.

[SFRob]

mmmm....to quote JD: "... He is dragging biblical understanding through the gutter." This is clear evidence that, knowing you've lost the battle, you change the topic, abandon the conversation and start name-calling. How so very christian and mature! Shame on u, JD. Jesus would not be happy.

[cimwright]

Religious leaders should refrain from making any political comments. They should refrain from endorsing or condemning political officials. I fell upon a video on YouTube that says it better:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM4TbJJ_h94

[PKSSK]

Great video, thanks!

[returnofthejedi]

It's the followers of these so called religious leader that must wake up and understand that there is NO savior besides (God )himself, so they have no business being followers in this day and age.
God (it really pains me to use this title )has given us the ability to learn and discern, we are the most versitile being on THIS planet.
if we are led astray it is because we want to be led instead of leading ourselves. This is what it means by being decieved by satan, lucifer, or whatever you would call it.

God is a title I don't like to use it , but for the sake of understanding I will here.

[angelbravo]

I don't consider Dobson to be honest or a man of God.

[3rdCitizen]

During my years as an atheist, people like Dobson irritated me, but they also made me feel pretty good about myself in a superior sort of way. Religion is easy to reject when you only associate it with close-minded, holier-than-thou, intellectually dishonest hypocrites. After I ended up becoming a Christian myself, the Falwells, Robertsons & Dobsons of the world REALLY bugged me because their grosteque caricature of Christianity was presented by both the religious right and the anti-religious left as the only version or the most "authentic" version of what I knew to be a far more profound and complex theology.
Dobson is not defending Christianity or Christian theology, he's just trying to pretend that his minority opinion is the only one that counts. Few of his followers have ever read any dissenting theological views. But that doesn't stop them from passing judgement on them. It doesn't stop most non-Christians either.

[caseyblab]

Mr. Dobson presuming to tell us who is distorting scripture is really rich. His belief system has little to do with the teachings of Jesus and a lot to do with his political preferences, mostly based on fear.

[belikejeanvaljean]

Unfortunately, over the years Dobson has gone from child developmental psychologist with associated books and radio program to a political player as his audience and influence grew. I always thought some of his ideas on child rearing were somewhat harsh, but he has now become a hard, vitrolic old man who cannot separate Christian precepts from the necessary job of finding common ground among all citizens of our country which is what the Founding Fathers themselves did.

I found Obama's Call to Renewal Keynote Address (on the speeches section of his web site) to be far more in keeping with the spirit of Christianity than Dobson's criticism of it. (And I am an evangelical Christian.)

[maddie0001]

Actually, I'd bet few of these so called 'Christians' have bothered to read both books of the bible, cover to cover. They go to the megachurch to hear the pastor tell them what the bible says, just like illiterate peasants did thousands of years ago.

[belikejeanvaljean]

Actually, I don't think too many people of any persuasion have read the Bible from cover to cover. I do know more evangelicals who have than anyone else, however, and many I know in that category are intelligent, thoughtful individuals who are able to think for themselves.

[oafishcad]

I like fruitcake.

[Pyrrhus]

So do I! Fruitcake is much maligned in our culture.

[oafishcad]

People who are both Conservative politically and call themselves Christian, clearly think Christ was wrong. So why do they call themselves Christian? Why don't htey just call themselves Old Testament believers?

[despike]

MR Dobson:
I like your show, that is, when you stick to helping the family -- as the title suggest -- otherwise you need to change it to "Focus on Politics"
That been said, The Bible is The Bible, and it made up of both the old Testament and the new Testament. If you really believed the Bible "The Whole" Bible -- not part of it -- then both Leviticus and the Sermon on the Mount carries equal weight. That is what Barack was trying to say.
Also, the word distortion is not appropriate here, instead ' interpretation should have been used. I guess your point is, if someone interpreted The Bible, not the the way you wanted it, then it is distortion. My way or the Highway. And that is exactly what is wrong with Christianity today -- and by the way, Islam too. -- Fanaticism. That is what it is called and that is what turns people off from your own brand of Christianity or Theology, as you prefer to call it. Lack of tolerance, that is what is lacking. And I am not sure Jesus Christ is approving your brand, because tolerance is what His Sermon on the Mount is all about.
And that is what, people like you, may not be able to live up to. Even the Defence department.

PS: Barack, The Sermon on the Mount is not "Radical" it is SIMPLE. It is this simplicity that makes its application so difficult.

[Marlyn]

but PEACEMAKERS are TRAITORS. Stay the course.

[GrkAm]

despike . . . Your posting hit the nail on the head regarding the majority of evangelical Christians. Fanaticism is running rampant. You must be Bible believing, "born again" and distance yourself from those who aren't. Christianity now falls into categories. Catholics, Episcopalians and Orthodox need not apply because they haven't prayed "to receive Christ".

Comments from "Christian" leaders have bothered me because they show no level of what Christ spoke about.

As far as Dobson comments and quotes from Barack Obama are concerned, Dodbson's comments mean nothing.

[BEHM777]

Its simplicity is what made it so radical when it was spoken and what makes it just as radical today.

[Ladyrantsalot]

To understand conservative theology, you must first understand that anything in the Bible that supports the conservative political agenda is sacred, and anything that contradicts that agenda (including most of Christ's teachings in the New Testament) is irrelevant. See? Conservativism is just....so....easy!

[PoliticalEnnui]

How nice of Dobson to scuttle the Old Testament for all those Jewish-American voters. Now they really can be perfected in Ann Coulter's eyes.

[cubs325]

frankly i find this kind of religious intolerance and bigotry a little unchristian

[SonofLiberty1]

"Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "a passage that is so radical that it's doubtful that our own Defense Department would survive its application"

And what kind of "rot" is the above?

Clearly ok for the "New Age" crowd who aren't religious, clearly ok for some Christians.
Not very ok for Catholics...

Can we put a sock in his mouth to prevent him from saying more stupid things?

[Marlyn]

No worries. Catholics don't read the Bible.

[GrkAm]

Is it because Dobson and those like him told you Catholics don't read the Bible?

[adamfeser]

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Maybe this is the problem the Defense Department would have.
Also,

You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."
But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

Also,

You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy."
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

What was so stupid about what he said? If we applied these teachings there would be no Department of Defense. Are you implying that Catholics are different than other Christians in that they really like the Department of Defense? What are you talking about? Many see the teachings of Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount as socialist. I believe in America that is considered radical. Jesus was obviously radical during his time. I don't get what was wrong with what he said, and I don't get what on earth your point was.

[Gbemiro]

AMEN

[Sixtwo]

I heard the program this morning. I hate snipets! Hearing the entire speech (which I have read) would have given me a better perspective of Dobson's remarks/views. I am no Theologian and Dobson is no Theologian. However, I know that I need to study the Old Testament before I can begin to fully understand the New Testament, under which we live. I love America because we have the freedom to worship... Every individual will have to answer to his/her Master, based on what he/she believes. The Bible says God will do the separating.