James Dobson on McCain and the Christian Right
Most of those who regularly read this blog know that I have consciously decided to back away from politics at some levels and to a certain extent. (Primarily publicly and in my role as a leader of whatever influence among conservative Christians. I will still be personally involved as a citizen.)
I came across this interview with James Dobson who fairly well sums up most of my frustration with politics in general and Republicans in particular. If the election were to be held tomorrow and the choice was between Hillary and/or Barak and McCain and/or Rudolph…..I’d either not vote for any of them, would find a third-party candidate of my liking knowing they’ll never get elected or simply spend election day reading or playing with my kids or working on a project.
At some level, I think Dobson’s article may be prophetic. Thequestion that remains is ifsomeone, ANY one, in the Republican Party leadership is listening or even cares. I see no evidence of either.
You can read the article for yourself HERE.
Jim Peet said,
January 14, 2007 @ 12:20 am
There’s a lot at stake in a National election: defense, taxes, responsible government, the traditional religious-right issues, etc.
The abortion battle will not be won in an election. And the marriage issue is best fought at the state level.
I’m not going to dance to Dobson’s tune!
John said,
January 14, 2007 @ 5:55 am
Thanks for the link Dan. I don’t normally encourage people to sign petitions but there is one in this article that seems very important. According to Dobson there is buried in a bill authored by the Democrats in regards to lobbying that would greatly burden family type ministries from offering policy alerts on Congressional matters which are vital to the electorate. Of course labor is exempted from the same. I would encourage all to look at the petition and consider the merits of it.
John said,
January 14, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
I have to agree with Jim Peet. I really do despise John McCain because I think he is an unprincipled snake. However, even with all of my disagreements with Guiliani re: the “morality issues” of abortion, gays, etc. I would gladly vote for him over any Democrat running.
Bob said,
January 15, 2007 @ 11:37 am
I will most definately vote this election and not sit the election out for any reason. I have no political clout of course. But I will vote for the “better” republican candidate holding my nose. However, I think that just as a mirror reflects what it sees…so our government sadly reflects the hearts of our people, including the body of Christ. As I was reminded in the sermon Sunday, the problem is not political nor can it be solved politically. It is a heart problem. Further, it is a problem in the hearts of those who name the name of Christ. We are lukewarm hypocrits who largely talk a good game but don’t live it. We often look around us and think “Our society needs spiritual revival”. We talk about it and pray about it while ignoring the secret sins in our our own lives. We protect our “little” sins. We do not let God dig deep and deal with us. The founding fathers of this country designed our republic based upon the principle of “personal self government”. This simply means that every man must govern him self. One of the founders told us that the only hope of the country keeping liberty and feedom depended upon the individuals maintaining their Biblical and Christian moorings. The government further is based upon the principle that God endows individuals with inalienable rights. These rights are not conferred upon governments by God. The rights of Government are conferred by the people. If our hearts are sinful and evil, and we are not excercising “personal self government” in our own lives, then why should we be surprised that our government is rapidly straying. This morning, I was considering several huge mountains in my life. I have a duty to my marriage, my children, my job and my finances are horrible. I looked at the mountains and realized that I can not carry them all unless my own heart is right with God. I must care for the physical body/temple that has to do the work. I must deal with my sin and my relationship with God if I am to first survive and second do my duty. The transformation must start with me. So with our country… Revival is not a magical poof of emotion. It can begin when I confess my sin daily and resolutely. I must be brutal with sin and my pride and fight the battle for holiness in my life. That is where the fire starts. God help us this day and every day forward to light the fire of revival right in our own hearts and homes. Fire spreads but not until it is lit. We can transform our government by transforming the people. There is no law that can transform the heart. As the scriptures tell us, “The Law” was simply a school master to bring us to Christ.
fishon said,
January 15, 2007 @ 10:33 pm
Gay marriage is EVIL. Therefore, I can NOT vote for McCain.
One of my Elders says, “Well, I guess I will have to vote for the lesser of two evils.”
I say, “If you vote for the lesser of two evils, you are still voting for evil.”
fishon
Bob said,
January 16, 2007 @ 10:30 am
The ship is sinking. The solution is a new bilge pumps. The Republicans have a little bigger pump than the Democrats. I will choose the bigger pump in order to have more time to save the passengers. Vengence is the Lords, not mine. I wonder what Daniel’s attitude was toward his boss. I will vote every chance I get for the best candidate. But Salvation of any kind will never come from Washington. While we look at political candidates and fume about who is for gay marriage or abortion, Satan is tearing up our churches, schools, cities and towns. Our focus must be Christ and getting Christ to the people Jesus misses most. And I don’t mean stuffing it down their throats. Jesus really loves people who are messed up. Romans 5:8 There are no answers in Town Hall, State Capital, Nations Capital any more than there are answers in the UN. All of the answers are found in Christ. Our national sin is the result of each of our individual sin. Oh….and which is the worse sin? Homosexuality or Pride? Who is to say that my pride is not just as much a part of the moral slide in our country as some one elses homo sexuality?
Tim said,
January 16, 2007 @ 11:55 am
As a political independent and a diehard evangelical, I have to say that conservative Christian republicans seem to be wearing blinders. They will stand up for moraility when it suits their political agenda. A prime example is the fact that Christian Republicans seem incapable of calling the Bush administration to task for the lack of integrity that it has repeatedly demonstrated over the past several years. Another example would be their inability to admit that their are Christian values and issues at stake in addition to those of abortion and gay marriage. (I’m anti abortion, and against gay marriage, but also concerned about poverty, global climate change, the rising cost of healthcare, genocide in Darfur, our country’s waning international influence, and many other issues.)
In my opinion, McCain is one of the only politicians right now who isn’t pandering to the masses. Whther you like his message or not, he’s speaking what he believes to be the truth about what needs to be done in Iraq.
My respect for Dr. Dobson has been waning in recent years, and his recent statement hasn’t done anothing to bolster that respect. … That he looks at Ronald Reagan … who consulted astrologers … as an example of a leader to be held up as positive example is yet another example of the fact that he’s blinded by his own agenda. (As we all are to differing extents.)
Charlie Eldred said,
January 16, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
This is indeed the dilemma many face: do I vote for the candidate that most closely aligns with my beliefs OR the candidate that most closely aligns with my beliefs that also has a significant chance of winning?
Too often we fail to vote for a great candidate because we are easily satisfied with a good candidate who can win. A Pyhrric victory, to be sure.
Yet God, in His mercy, does not give us what we as a nation deserve. His goodness is demonstrated (in my state) by allowing Nancy Pelosi, Barbara Boxer, and Dianne Feinstein to represent us; when what we as a nation deserve is so much less. Our voices must be heard at election time and in the intervening times as well. Bob is right, the change we desire does not come from Washington, Raleigh or Sacramento. The change that will most greatly impact Americans, and America by extension, comes from the Father of Lights, with Whom is no variableness nor shadow of turning. May He be pleased to give us great wisdom and discernment in the days ahead.
Bob said,
January 16, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Amen..may God give us great wisdom for “His thoughts and not our thoughts..”. God help me to do right and love people who are in darkness and need light!
Gordon Cloud said,
January 16, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
I wonder if we nominated Dan Burrell, would he run for president?
Dan Burrell said,
January 16, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
If nominated, I would not run. If elected, I would not serve. Zero interest in being a politician. However, should an opportunity for dictator open up, I wouldn’t mind doing that for a day or two.
;-O
fishon said,
January 16, 2007 @ 10:23 pm
Charlie E.,
Praise the Lord, that same God also demonstrated His goodness to the USA by giving us George W. Bush as our President. What a great God we serve.
fishon
Charlie Eldred said,
January 17, 2007 @ 1:13 pm
fishon: Indeed. As I mentioned to my congregation the Sunday after Election Day 2006, “While the election did not produce the results many of us desired, one position remained unchanged, for it is not up for a vote: God STILL occupies the Throne of Heaven.” His greatness and goodness will not abate in the slightest based on the occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue or any of the other offices around our nation.
Now, as you suggested, I’m going fishing! Right after I make a few “Burrell 4 Dictator” posters!
fishon said,
January 17, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Charlie,
May your stringer be full of big ones, and as we fish for men, may our Lord’s kingdom increase.
Nothing like a Deschutes River Steelhead stripping line on a coldddddd morning.
fishon
j said,
January 17, 2007 @ 5:57 pm
George W Bush has been a huge failure as the president.
j said,
January 17, 2007 @ 5:58 pm
Pat Buchanan for Prez!
Bob said,
January 17, 2007 @ 9:36 pm
George Washington for President