quote:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 24) - 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.

"... 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.


http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/obama-accused-of...204449664x1200209884

quote:

Originally posted by outlaws93:

quote:

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 24) - 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.

"... 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.


http://news.aol.com/elections/story/_a/obama-accused-of...204449664x1200209884

quote:

Originally posted by ArmyBratGoesWild:
again, an inability to address the facts/issues and only retort with childish reponses. tsk tsk

quote:

Originally posted by 03Mach1:
Apparently, Obama is going to "change" the Word of God, too!

Given the hate speech that fell upon his oh-so-righteous ears for 20 plus years, is it any wonder he distorts the Bible for his own political purposes?

Christianity doesn't belong to Dobson, Sharpton, Obama, McCain, you or me. It is a living gift from a perfect God to his deeply flawed (by design) creation.

Politicians would be well advised to recall the last words of the Bible ...

Revalation 22:18 ... I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book.
22:19 And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

quote:

Originally posted by ArmyBratGoesWild:
again, an inability to address the facts/issues and only retort with childish reponses. tsk tsk

quote:

LOS ANGELES — Barack Obama said Tuesday evangelical leader James Dobson was “making stuff up” when he accused the presumed Democratic presidential nominee of distorting the Bible.

Dobson used his Focus on the Family radio program to highlight excerpts of a speech Obama gave in June 2006 to the liberal Christian group Call to Renewal.

Speaking to reporters on his campaign plane before landing in Los Angeles, Obama said the speech made the argument that people of faith, like himself, “try to translate some of our concerns in a universal language so that we can have an open and vigorous debate rather than having religion divide us.”

Obama added, “I think you’ll see that he was just making stuff up, maybe for his own purposes.”

In his program, Dobson focused on examples Obama cited in asking which Biblical passages should guide public policy. For instance, Obama said Leviticus suggests slavery is OK and eating shellfish is an abomination. Obama also cited 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 in the speech.

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

Asked about Dobson’s assessment, Obama said “somebody would be pretty hard-pressed to make that argument” that he was distorting the Bible.

Obama supporters also responded to Dobson.

The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, a Methodist pastor from Texas and longtime supporter of President Bush who has endorsed Obama, said Tuesday that he belongs to a group of religious leaders who are working independently of Obama’s campaign and launching a Web site to counter Dobson at www.jamesdobsondoesntspeakforme.com.

Caldwell said he has great respect for Dobson’s advocacy for families, but said the criticism of Obama was “a bit over the top” and “crossed the line.”

“There has been a call for a higher level of politics and politicking,” Caldwell said. “So to attack at this level is inappropriate and I think unacceptable and we at least want to hold everybody accountable.”

quote:

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.

quote:

Originally posted by undercoversister:

quote:

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.

This is what says it all. He is accusing Obama of "equating" passages of the Old Testament that no longer apply and in the same sentence talks about "the traditional understanding of the Bible"?? This dude does not know what he is talking about. Republicans like the Old Testament when it comes to teaching creation in schools, but when it comes to the not so nice parts of the Old Testament, they rather go with the New Testament. That is pure hypocracy. Either we do apply the whole Bible or nothing at all. Dobson can not pick which parts of the Bible he likes and which ones he doesn't. I think it is him who is "distoring" the Bible.

quote:

Originally posted by seawolffortwayne:

quote:

Originally posted by undercoversister:

quote:

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.

This is what says it all. He is accusing Obama of "equating" passages of the Old Testament that no longer apply and in the same sentence talks about "the traditional understanding of the Bible"?? This dude does not know what he is talking about. Republicans like the Old Testament when it comes to teaching creation in schools, but when it comes to the not so nice parts of the Old Testament, they rather go with the New Testament. That is pure hypocracy. Either we do apply the whole Bible or nothing at all. Dobson can not pick which parts of the Bible he likes and which ones he doesn't. I think it is him who is "distoring" the Bible.

Let's see, Dobson is a Doctor of Theology and Obama has a Law Degree. Which to you has a better understanding of the Bible, a lawyer? or a minister? That's like asking a plumber how to perform brain surgery. Apples and oranges here. Let's not forget that many churches omit passages in the Bible that pertains to baptism by emmersion because it goes against their doctrinal beliefs. Many others forget that the Bible makes it clear that a homosexual shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless he repents of the sin of homosexuality yet some churches have gay ministers. Jesus calls it "the blind leading the blind and both shall fall into the ditch." Now Obama has said that he feels religion should be kept out of the political arena yet he attempts to quote scripture and posts his questionable christian ethics in his campaign ads. Why? to attempt to sway evengelical and conservative Christian voters his way. Dobson isn't "picking and choosing" certain scriptures to make Obama look like a baboon. Christians are taught to be able to use scripture as a means of getting to the truth and not be judgemental. We are to have answers at the ready when called into question about our faith. A faith that Obama trashed during the Penn. primaries with his off hand remarks about smalltown America and their faith. You would think that after that fiasco he would leave well enough alone. Obviously not. Dobson has the background, knowledge, and reputation to be able to go back and forth between old and new testament to back up the Bible. While it is true that when Christ came to earth we were under new rules to play by BUT parts of the old testament are still relevent and even Christ said that. During the Sermon on the Mount, he quoted the ten commandments on "Thou shalt not murder" and expanded on it by saying "Whosoever says an angry word to his brother has committed murder". He also quoted "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and expanded that too by saying "But I say that anyone who looks upon a woman (or man he would agree) in lust has committed adultery in his heart already." The ten commandments are the backbone of many countries laws. There is a high school in Modesto California that is requiring its students to take a world religions class to graduate. It looks at the many religions in the world and it makes the kids understand that religion is why many countries fight amongst themselves like they do. Lest we forget the fighting between the Kurds, Shiites, Sunnis, and Taliban in Iraq and Afghanistan. We're basically considered a Christian nation and that just adds another log to the religious fireplace in the ME.

I'll take Dr. James Dobson over Barak Obama Atty. at Law on religious topics anyday.

quote:

Originally posted by undercoversister:

quote:

Originally posted by seawolffortwayne:

quote:

Originally posted by undercoversister:

quote:

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.

This is what says it all. He is accusing Obama of "equating" passages of the Old Testament that no longer apply and in the same sentence talks about "the traditional understanding of the Bible"?? This dude does not know what he is talking about. Republicans like the Old Testament when it comes to teaching creation in schools, but when it comes to the not so nice parts of the Old Testament, they rather go with the New Testament. That is pure hypocracy. Either we do apply the whole Bible or nothing at all. Dobson can not pick which parts of the Bible he likes and which ones he doesn't. I think it is him who is "distoring" the Bible.

Let's see, Dobson is a Doctor of Theology and Obama has a Law Degree. Which to you has a better understanding of the Bible, a lawyer? or a minister? That's like asking a plumber how to perform brain surgery. Apples and oranges here. Let's not forget that many churches omit passages in the Bible that pertains to baptism by emmersion because it goes against their doctrinal beliefs. Many others forget that the Bible makes it clear that a homosexual shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless he repents of the sin of homosexuality yet some churches have gay ministers. Jesus calls it "the blind leading the blind and both shall fall into the ditch." Now Obama has said that he feels religion should be kept out of the political arena yet he attempts to quote scripture and posts his questionable christian ethics in his campaign ads. Why? to attempt to sway evengelical and conservative Christian voters his way. Dobson isn't "picking and choosing" certain scriptures to make Obama look like a baboon. Christians are taught to be able to use scripture as a means of getting to the truth and not be judgemental. We are to have answers at the ready when called into question about our faith. A faith that Obama trashed during the Penn. primaries with his off hand remarks about smalltown America and their faith. You would think that after that fiasco he would leave well enough alone. Obviously not. Dobson has the background, knowledge, and reputation to be able to go back and forth between old and new testament to back up the Bible. While it is true that when Christ came to earth we were under new rules to play by BUT parts of the old testament are still relevent and even Christ said that. During the Sermon on the Mount, he quoted the ten commandments on "Thou shalt not murder" and expanded on it by saying "Whosoever says an angry word to his brother has committed murder". He also quoted "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and expanded that too by saying "But I say that anyone who looks upon a woman (or man he would agree) in lust has committed adultery in his heart already." The ten commandments are the backbone of many countries laws. There is a high school in Modesto California that is requiring its students to take a world religions class to graduate. It looks at the many religions in the world and it makes the kids understand that religion is why many countries fight amongst themselves like they do. Lest we forget the fighting between the Kurds, Shiites, Sunnis, and Taliban in Iraq and Afghanistan. We're basically considered a Christian nation and that just adds another log to the religious fireplace in the ME.

I'll take Dr. James Dobson over Barak Obama Atty. at Law on religious topics anyday.

This had nothing to do with the Bible or anything about religion at all. Dobson was using comments Obama made about the Bible (that were not even wrong in the first place) to indirectly support his choice for President. Dobson is backing McCain and if he was such a religious person, he would have better had a talk with McCain about his faith, especially when he cheated on his handicapped wife with a much younger, better looking woman.

quote:

"So, I have a deep faith," Obama continues. "I'm rooted in the Christian tradition. I believe that there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people."

quote:

"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."

quote:

Originally posted by undercoversister:

quote:

Originally posted by seawolffortwayne:

quote:

Originally posted by undercoversister:

quote:

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.

This is what says it all. He is accusing Obama of "equating" passages of the Old Testament that no longer apply and in the same sentence talks about "the traditional understanding of the Bible"?? This dude does not know what he is talking about. Republicans like the Old Testament when it comes to teaching creation in schools, but when it comes to the not so nice parts of the Old Testament, they rather go with the New Testament. That is pure hypocracy. Either we do apply the whole Bible or nothing at all. Dobson can not pick which parts of the Bible he likes and which ones he doesn't. I think it is him who is "distoring" the Bible.

Let's see, Dobson is a Doctor of Theology and Obama has a Law Degree. Which to you has a better understanding of the Bible, a lawyer? or a minister? That's like asking a plumber how to perform brain surgery. Apples and oranges here. Let's not forget that many churches omit passages in the Bible that pertains to baptism by emmersion because it goes against their doctrinal beliefs. Many others forget that the Bible makes it clear that a homosexual shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless he repents of the sin of homosexuality yet some churches have gay ministers. Jesus calls it "the blind leading the blind and both shall fall into the ditch." Now Obama has said that he feels religion should be kept out of the political arena yet he attempts to quote scripture and posts his questionable christian ethics in his campaign ads. Why? to attempt to sway evengelical and conservative Christian voters his way. Dobson isn't "picking and choosing" certain scriptures to make Obama look like a baboon. Christians are taught to be able to use scripture as a means of getting to the truth and not be judgemental. We are to have answers at the ready when called into question about our faith. A faith that Obama trashed during the Penn. primaries with his off hand remarks about smalltown America and their faith. You would think that after that fiasco he would leave well enough alone. Obviously not. Dobson has the background, knowledge, and reputation to be able to go back and forth between old and new testament to back up the Bible. While it is true that when Christ came to earth we were under new rules to play by BUT parts of the old testament are still relevent and even Christ said that. During the Sermon on the Mount, he quoted the ten commandments on "Thou shalt not murder" and expanded on it by saying "Whosoever says an angry word to his brother has committed murder". He also quoted "Thou shalt not commit adultery" and expanded that too by saying "But I say that anyone who looks upon a woman (or man he would agree) in lust has committed adultery in his heart already." The ten commandments are the backbone of many countries laws. There is a high school in Modesto California that is requiring its students to take a world religions class to graduate. It looks at the many religions in the world and it makes the kids understand that religion is why many countries fight amongst themselves like they do. Lest we forget the fighting between the Kurds, Shiites, Sunnis, and Taliban in Iraq and Afghanistan. We're basically considered a Christian nation and that just adds another log to the religious fireplace in the ME.

I'll take Dr. James Dobson over Barak Obama Atty. at Law on religious topics anyday.

This had nothing to do with the Bible or anything about religion at all. Dobson was using comments Obama made about the Bible (that were not even wrong in the first place) to indirectly support his choice for President. Dobson is backing McCain and if he was such a religious person, he would have better had a talk with McCain about his faith, especially when he cheated on his handicapped wife with a much younger, better looking woman.