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

[SaraPulis]

Hey, look! There's a Christian politician who has read the Bible! Everybody take pictures and mark your calendars.

Clearly, the Bible never means what it says, it simply says what people like Dobson mean. (This derives from a quote I tried [and failed] to find in order to credit.) If this book is a great compass by which to lead a righteous life, wouldn't its words be able to stand on their own?

[beastmode]

right now its the big headline story on cnn's website, titled simply "Obama accused of 'distorting' the Bible" - CNN once again shows how low they've fallen.

[jfor]

Every interpretation of the bible is a fruitcake interpretation. No exceptions.

[3rdCitizen]

Including yours (according to your enlightened, open-minded standard).

[jfor]

What is enlightenment? Speaking in tongues? Turning myself into a hypocrit by believing in God and supporting war? I never offered an interpretation of the bible, I did however offer my OPINION on other's interpretation of the bible. I say it again, every interpretation of the bible is a fruitcake interpretation especially since you and no one else can prove any of it. Sorry my friend but I am not going to subject myself to a book written by men, most likely the same kind of men who are running this country today, which would make them greedy, selfish, conniving, lying, incompetant fools.

By the way which bible are you talking about? I am talking about them all.

[Marlyn]

But Dobson says "pushing a fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution", not the Bible.
I can't imagine what he is referring to, perhaps a non-existent amendment to the Constitution against gay marriage?

[WmC]

Probably a "fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution" is one that treats it as a valid document rather than just a g*ddam piece of paper.

[bluesoul]

Here is a link to Focus on the Family contact form. Tell Dobson what you think of his Obama comments and where to put them http://family.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/family.cfg/php/enduser/ask.php?p_sid=11O4Xemi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=14190

[belikejeanvaljean]

I have written to him in the past mainly about the war in Iraq and stem cell research. He rarely reads any of the correspondence himself as the ministry is so large, but has a small army of readers/letter writers who respond using his talking points. The last response I received from Focus on the Family regarding the war said that Dr. Dobson has his mind made up and absolutely nothing whatsoever will change it or cause him to change his position in favor of the war.

It might be more productive to write to the board of directors or his wife even, but in the case of the board, they are pretty much hand-picked by him, and if his wife (who is very active in the National Day of Prayer and other things) put up with him beating his tiny "strong-willed" dog (the account is in his book, "The Strong Willed Child", she probably wouldn't oppose him on this after all these years.

I'll probably write to him, however, hoping to persuade the reader my email reaches that his boss is not only wrong, but unChristian.

[JJeff88]

That they decided to allow Dobson to crawl out from beneath his rock tells me the GOP is very scared about Obama's potential appeal among devout Christians.

Dobson's diatribe can best be compared to the rattlesnake's warning rattle - a defensive gesture displayed when feeling threatened.

Don't be warned off. Take on the issue square-on. Just keep your eyes peeled and tread softly.

[dasimms]

I agree wholeheartedly with Sen. Obama when he says people are not reading their Bibles. If we were, we would know to seek knowledge and understanding for ourselves. We would know we have no right to judge each other. We would understand that God himself gave us free will to choose good or evil. If God gives us a choice can we do less for each other. Dr. Dobson won't have to answer for any one but himself.
Since when did a presidential candidate need to be trained in seminary? All of us have different levels of spiritual understanding based on our exposure and personal study. Dr. Dobson is not God that he knows what is in another man's heart and mind there is no telling what the Holy Spirit reveals to us whether or not we are seminarians. Some of us know how to recognize fellow Christians by their fruit.

[robbor]

like the great book isn't already a distorted, pale version of the original.

dobson, don't i hear your mom calling you?

[DarkWitch]

"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."

But that kind of stuff still counts if you need to bash gays.

And the "tiny babies" BS, now I really am going to be sick. Please, spare me. Show me how you are spending the money your deluded followers are sending you on saving the babies that are already here, not only in this country but worldwide. Show me how those dollars are also going toward education and free contraception for anyone who wants it, greatly reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies.

Then people other than your brainwashed minions may take what you say more seriously.

[belikejeanvaljean]

Not to mention that Dobson is extremely hypocritical on the issue of embryonic stem cell research. He opposes that, but says nothing about the embryos that are destroyed in the in vitro fertilization process and in storage. Why? Perhaps because many of his listeners have used this process to have families.

To be consistent, one should be in favor of allowing both or neither process. He gives lip service to "adopting" embryos, but he knows that is totally unrealistic. Talk about pandering to one's followers.

[SixBillionPlus]

Gee how are you going to overpopulate the world like that? The more people there are the less eduated they have a chance to be. The less educated make better followers.
Better followers make better republicans. That is what we are trying for right? [better followers also make better customers]

[wmholt]

Obama distorting the Bible? How would you know? You haven't taken it from your dusty bookshelf in over four decades.

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

Yeah, right. And you said that Mark Foley was the victim of teenage pranksters. Nice...

[MrFiskar]

What the hell is it with these EVANTESTICLES? I live next to some and all they want to do is kill baby birds and whatever else walks through their yard. They went through 3 dogs in about 3 mo's. God will get them ignorant bastard's in the end.

[yellowdogdemocratic]

No kidding MrFiskar, I've noticed that too. I live around many of them also, and they have no problem with killing animals for no reason or blaming the problems of downtrodden people on those people without even bothering to find out why they are downtrodden. To them, only harming a fetus or a child is evil. Harming any adult or animal out in the world is perfectly acceptable. They also don't give a crap about the environment. I really can't figure this out.

[AngryMonkey]

Buhwah hahahahaha. Why couldn't it have been this prick that his god called up instead of George.

[zippywpinhead]

what makes you think that when his time comes, that Dobson is going to get 'called up'? I'm picturing a trip in the other direction...

[BlackWidowPilot]

"I'm picturing a trip in the other direction..."

Via express elevator...

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[JTyroler]

"Fruitcake"? "Distorting the Bible?" Really? James Dobson is accusing Obama of distorting the Bible? Dobson who uses Old Testament verses to demonize the LGBT community, but doesn't use verses from the same Biblical book regarding dietary restrictions?

Why isn't Dobson considered in a similar light as Fred Phelps?

[StillIRise]

Dobson represents many of the "Religious Right," who have interpreted the Bible and Christianity itself by their own understanding, or lack thereof, and they question anyone who understands it differently than they do. Yet, he also represents those who have espoused the most hate, the most hypocrisy, the most intolerance, and the most judgmental self-righteousness that I have witnessed in my lifetime. He believes that he alone has a direct communication with God, and and is therefore the only one who has the authority to tell us who God is and what He desires from us. People like this are intimidated by the mere possibility that theirs is not the only mind in which God's wisdom abides or the only tongue that reaches God's ears and hearts, . Ironically however, Dobson's guidance in this respect is often contrary to everything Christianity stands for. The fanaticism of religion is not exclusive to faraway lands or to religions with which we are ignorantly unfamiliar; but wherever it occurs, even in America among Christians, it can be very, very dangerous. In fact, it is the institution of religion itself that has led to the religious fanaticism that has shed blood throughout civilization.

Senator Obama is a man of faith, unlike Dobson who simply seeks to control the faith of others.

[popey1234]

i guess barack can forget about his "average boy from kansas" routine and go back to his true base of atheists, ecology nuts and all the other elitist groups that are soooo far left of main street america! nice try though

[suec03]

He's building a broad-based coaltion, including religious believers and nonbelievers. Why are you so cynical?

[Peteyman]

I guess you can forget about trying to hang out with us and sound cool. Time to go back to your true basis of staying out of the sunlight, and under a bridge.

[neocon666]

What did Barack Obama say that that's "dragging the bible through the gutter"? he's was just making a realistic observation.
Oh yeah, I forgot that fundamentalist Christianity is the only religion allowd in this country, and the right wing-nuts are the only are allowed to interpret the Bible.

Unlike the current pant-load in the white house, when Barack Obama is president, he will be the president of ALL people (even YOU), not just his small core of cronies and party minions.

[SonofLiberty1]

I think Obama is a progressive wing nut...

[torrrep]

Actually ALL presidents are the president of all people. Whether you like it or not doesn't change the fact that they are president.

[larmarch5]

My brother in law, a protestant minister who attended Hampton Dubose Academy and Westmont College, and his wife are Barack Obama supporters. They are also very well read, involved in their community, pastor an intigrated church, and diligently study the Bible. I guess their "main street" might be a little better paved than yours.

[lotuslike]

Corporate media is a trip. Let's see...moderate evangelicals are starting to take a look and listen to Obama now instead of mccain, and somehow it's Obama's 'problem' now. Obama is no longer a muslim for them, but dang-it...he jess cain't unnerstand that bible right!! And the legitimate identifier of this problem is none other than reich-wing, partisan nutjob james dobson! Unreal...

Corporate media is a trip. If Senator Obama doesn't have a working class, white working class, suburban woman, latino, rural, feminist, independent, muslim, flip-flop, progressive base, white male, southern, western, mid-west, aloof-with-the-press problem, then he CERTAINLY has a bible-interpretation problem. Next week it'll be that he's---gawd forbid!---left handed!!! What a loser!