STATEMENT FROM DR. JAMES DOBSON of FOCUS ON THE FAMILY:
I am deeply disappointed the Republican Party seems poised to select a nominee who did not support a Constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage, voted for embryonic stem cell research to kill nascent human beings, opposed tax cuts that ended the marriage penalty, has little regard for freedom of speech, organized the Gang of 14 to preserve filibusters in judicial hearings, and has a legendary temper and often uses foul and obscene language.
I am convinced Sen. McCain is not a conservative, and in fact, has gone out of his way to stick his thumb in the eyes of those who are. He has sounded at times more like a member of the other party. McCain actually considered leaving the GOP caucus in 2001, and approached John Kerry about being Kerry's running mate in 2004. McCain also said publicly that Hillary Clinton would make a good president. Given these and many other concerns, a spoonful of sugar does NOT make the medicine go down. I cannot, and will not, vote for Sen. John McCain, as a matter of conscience.
But what a sad and melancholy decision this is for me and many other conservatives. Should Sen. McCain capture the nomination as many assume, I believe this general election will offer the worst choices for president in my lifetime. I certainly can't vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama based on their virulently anti-family policy positions. If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life.
These decisions are my personal views and do not represent the organization with which I am affiliated. They do reflect my deeply held convictions about the institution of the family, about moral and spiritual beliefs, and about the welfare of our country.
I told you all of these things already but now it is starting to see the light of day.
If you respect Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson, you will not take this lightly.
To any Obama supporter who claims to be a follower of Christ I ask one question:
What was Jesus' thoughts on life?
22 comments:
Can't say as I blame the guy. If there is NO one on the ballot who is pro-life, I won't be able to vote either. I will vote on all the laws and local stuff, but would leave the president area blank if I had no pro-life choice.
Okay an honest question...and this isn't to bring about a fight or debate, and please don't judge my thoughts here. I really would like your input on this Bill and Tammy. Forgive me if we've already had this conversation in previous blogs (I feel like I've asked this before)...
Bush is pro-life, but from what I see abortion is still legal. He was in office for 8 years and had no power to change the laws that are state by state.
I am pro-life, but I fear that putting all of my eggs in a pro-life basket nominee will do no good. Is this the main issue we should be focusing on? Is there any hope that a president can reverse this law? If I thought a president could ban all abortion and that was in his power, he'd have my vote. But, I am doubtful.
Now, please know, I am NOT like my hubby ~ I barely understand politics at all. So please in love respond to this without talking in language that belittles me...if there is something I am missing here, I'd like to know.
There are so many other issues that are important out there. I'm just wondering if the president has the power we think he does.
I have NO IDEA who I'm voting for, by the way.
No problem, I have talked about this before but I don't mind doing it again at all.
I believe that the most important thing to keep in mind on the abortion issue is that it is the Supreme Court that ultimately decides the legality of abortion.
ie: roe v. wade.
Only the Supreme Court can overturn it.
So, being Pro-Life as a candidate is not enough. Many of them are, just as George W. Bush was, but HE did not end abortion and no President can.
BUT, they can nominate conservative, pro-life justices to the court as the previous justices retire.
There is a very good to great chance that during this next four years, one or more of the current justices (pro-choice leaning I might add) are retiring. That means whoever is in the White House will be nominating the replacements.
THAT is why I have been banging the drum so hard for Fred Thompson, and now Mitt Romney. I do not see ANY of the other candidates having the ability politically, to choose the right justices.
If you are Pro-Life, anyone, who is Pro-Life, must understand, it is the Court that decides this, not the President.
I hope that makes sense.
Bill,
it is blatant ignorance to espouse that Republican = Pro-Life and Democrat = Pro-Abortion. This is a simplistic and false pretense.
I don't know any Democrats who root for more abortions. I think that all sane people see abortion as a tragedy and hope that there will be less and less as time goes on. What is at debate here is the means by which we abolish the practice. Guys like you think that the only way to end abortion is to overturn Row v. Wade via the process that you described above... This strategy, however, has proven to be ineffective in that it relies heavily on the effort of government to mandate morality and sidelines the Church with her divine mandate to transform the world through love in action.
I have chosen to put my hopes elsewhere in the battle to save lives. A majority of abortions in this country are had by young, poor, single women who sight 'financial hardship' as the main reason for their choice to abort. In addition to this, many of these women face a future of welfare without the support of a community or a husband. Many of them, when faced with this reality, compound their problems by having an abortion.
What if... instead of relying on Uncle Sam to do the work of the Kingdom, we (the Church) come up with creative solutions to some of the key social factors that contribute to high abortion rates in this country. What if The Church got off her butt and started caring about the girls who are in a position of choosing, started offering our love and support, stopped condemning, and actually saved a life or two in the process..
Bill, your strategy hasn't stopped one single abortion.. my plan will.
Maybe the question should be, 'which candidate will best resolve the crisis of poverty in our country?' This person will do the most to actually make a difference in the fight against the tragedy of abortion.
While we are on the subject.. Why do so called pro-lifers get so focused one of many forms of murder in the world. Where are the pro-lifers with regard to the 1,000,000+ humans who have dies in the war in Iraq? Are these lives less valuable? Well maybe because they aren't Americans they are worth less to you.
Thanks Bill. I guess for me that's why I am so disheartened by it all. I feel like I've lost my hope in politicians. Anyway...
I'll avoid commenting on my hubby's entry for the sake of love.
Love to All....and serious PEACE to you all.
Billy Bob, I'm with Jeremy on this one; to a degree. I don't necessarily think that focusing on poverty (if you're talking about financial poverty), will make a dent. I think that focusing efforts to create a nuclear family is a step in the right direction. I don't believe that all abortions are bred from poverty, but I do believe that a great percentage occur as a result of the feminist movement/indoctrination/education that occurs in our higher ed systems. I believe that the reason we don't see more men involved in the anti-abortion movement is that it puts more responsibility upon us; equal partners in the life created. I heard of a TV commercial in either England or Australia. They were encouraging the men of the country to drive slower. It showed women wagging their little fingers at the speeders. Apparently, the gesture implied a smaller, male appendage for those who break the laws and endanger others. Perhaps that approach (appealing to our "macho" side), would work here in the States.
Interesting Fact I JUST learned.
Independents can vote in the primaries in Cali. Who knew?
Of course, I chose not to vote anyway, because I'm baffled by this one...no idea who to vote for.
k, nuff said.
interesting points,Mick.
"Well maybe because they aren't Americans they are worth less to you."
Jer...that's harsh.
love ya.
Jeremy: How do you know what I think about Life?
You obviously DO NOT KNOW ME AT ALL.
You also obviously don't read the platforms of any candidates, nor their party affiliations.
Let me know when the education needs to begin. I will be there to help you.
As for my life views, I am pro life. In everything. I am against the death penalty. I am against the war in Iraq (although that does not mean I am for pulling our troops out at this time). I am against death outside of natural causes by any means.
So, you are really reaching my friend.
I think perhaps you should back off, read up, listen more and learn. You have not been out of the cocoon of your parents, then your church family then your college family for long, your exposure to the world has only begun. Be prepared grasshopper.
Bill...
I see you replied to only a sliver of what Jeremy talked about.
I would be interested in hearing your response to the rest of what Jeremy said regarding the church's role/involvement in the "social justice" arena and how this could bring about change.
Jen
WWJD
We Worship James Dobson
:)
My response would be:
Come to Salem Evangelical and see social justice in action by the Church.
A huge proportion of the church budget going to feed the hungry, clothe the needy, send out missionaries to the world, literally over $2million given out in the last couple years.
So, I only have that as my example of the Church at work.
I don't know what other churches are doing.
Oops also forgot 2 $50,000 20-1 matching grants for genocide relief in Africa. The daily feeding of two orphanages in Oaxaca, one in Haiti and one in Kenya.
The twice weekly food bank distribution in Salem. The buildings that were built in New Mexico, Kenya, Haiti and Mexico.
There may be more but I can't keep track of them all, I am only working on one or two of those programs.
My turn.
Mick, I really like what you said. Good points.
Jen, I hear ya about not being knowledgeable enough to debate about some of the issues, so I won't even try. Especially because I am such a contradiction of beliefs regarding Pro-Life' as Bill lists it.
I am SOOOOOOO for the death penalty, and would even like to add it as a punishment for child rapists. Put them all down, I say! Also, I am totally for the war in Iraq, where they had rape rooms and were gassing the Serbs. That had to be stopped!!!!
So, how can I be for killing in these two instances and sooooo against abortion? I don't know, I just am. I very passionately am. Probably because the unborn children are innocent babies that are butchered in the procedure.
Bill, the courts may make the laws, but don't presidents have veto power? Don't presidents support bills, propose bills, etc.? I will never vote for a president who is pro-choice. I would rather not vote at all.
I have no big scripture or political point in support of my conviction in this area. Like I said on my blog recently, I don't worry about the election, because God is perfectly capable of orchestrating whatever He wants to further His will.
**disclaimer...this is a calm voice right now, please don't read any sarcasm or anger into the tone of this response, bc it isn't here right now. Calm Jenny is here...**
Thanks Bill. What you've shared I believe is a start. I think we as the church (not the physical group of believers that group together weekly as A church like Salem E) but followers of Christ in general...can do more. It's not just about writing checks or building buildings..don't get me wrong...those things are important. Like I said, it's a start, and I'm thankful and always have been for the heart of Salem E in these matters.
This is a recent conviction of mine, and I live in the city and my kids go to a public school with mostly poor minority kids. So different from my Keizer life I once lived. It's gruesome to see 1st graders being suspended for fighting...because their Mom works 2 jobs to survive to pay for basic needs and they are unloved. My heart aches at the homeless woman who hangs out by my house and has nothing to eat.
So I guess...I also think it's about looking to the political arena for how those politicians are being effective in those social arenas. Poverty, welfare, health care, etc. That's where I like many of the democrat candidates and what they are doing and want to do...and it's rocked my world to admit and acknowledge this. I used to be what I now call a "violent and angry Republican".
Still an Independent though, and still struggling with who I'll vote for.
K, that's all..for real now I need to leave this conversation.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Tammy. Since McCain looks like he's going to take it, will be a strange election year for you, I'm sure.
Jen
Ok kids, in case you all slept through US Civics class in the 10th grade, I will give a quick lesson.
There are three branches of government:
1-Legislative (house of representatives and senate)
2-executive (the white house)
3-judicial (supreme court)
Remember schoolhouse rock on ABC-TV?
"I'm just a bill sitting on Capitol Hill...."
The legislative branch submits bills that become laws. The President can either sign "yes" or veto them.
The President can send his ideas to the legislature and they can say "yes" or just dump them.
The Judicial stands alone. The President can nominate a justice, but he can't veto their decisions.
Now "we the people" can elect the president and the legislative branch (house representatives and senators) but we cannot elect supreme court justices.
So, as for the Church and it's influence, you have two things you can do:
Pray
Vote
The rest is up to God.
Hope that helps, it is a simple and quick look at our government but I believe that it covers the ground quite nicely.
I still believe the church can do more.
We can get off our butts and love people. Lots of non-government officials do amazing things for humanity all of the time.
Isn't God the one moving us as people to do the those things you refer to as "the rest is up to God". Does He wave his hand to make things happen without people? No. You yourself talk about the great preachers of the past and revivals. Those are people doing God's work.
And we can vote for the person that best represents those things that are important to God. Now that the pro-life thing may not be an option since McCain is getting the vote..maybe it's time to look how else we can help humanity.
I took polysci a year ago and did just fine in it Bill...but thanks for the lesson. Doesn't make a difference in my convictions.
Bill,
I too am against the death penalty. We actually have a lot in common!!
Now lets turn and pick on Tammy for wanting to kill people... just kidding, Tammy is way to nice to be picked on.
Jeremy
Jen, I appreciate your compassion and passion, but you keep going in circles.
First you asked what the Church is doing, I gave you an example of one church. I can't give you more as I am only in one at a time.
Then Tammy asked about government so I gave an answer to that.
Now you are back to telling me what I have already said myself.
I and many other Christians are reaching people one at a time.
Your examples of the poor in the city are great, but there are poor everywhere, in fact Jesus told us that would be. He said "the poor will always be here, but I am only here once". Now, I take that to mean two things. One, for the disciples He was teaching them to pay attention! Two, for us, he is saying, there will always be the poor, so make sure we are paying attention to Him first, then get out and DO what He said.
All of this is being done by the Church now. What are you missing about that? Are you not seeing Christians where you are doing this?
As for my comment "the rest is up to God", I stand by that. Everything is in HIS hands. I will pray, I will fast, I will vote and I will give. Is there something I am missing? I must need help somewhere or you wouldn't be so circuitous.
I think you are making life WAYYYY more complicated then it really is.
Love God, Love Others, Love yourself. It will then all fall in place.
I post Political things because politics is a love and a hobby for me, but don't be confused, my allegiance is to Christ First!
I am able to separate the two for my "entertainment" purposes.
I hope that explains it all, if it doesn't, then just read and enjoy my blatherings, knowing that this is my HOBBY!
Bill...
Peace. I was actually talking about the "church" as a whole...all followers of Christ, not what specific church's are doing. Sorry to be crazy confusing.
But really, I don't expect you to answer this question or figure it out for us. It was more of a rhetorical type thing, to get people thinking. Maybe even more of a philosophical question...but seriously, I don't mean to treat you like a hamster in a wheel, making you respond to all of my thoughts. I am one that talks about everything on multiple levels (many of them being unanswerable)...that's why philosophy is my favorite class!
Anyway, sorry when Jeremy and I get going we can be overwhelming...we're in daily environment that analyzes church, philosophy, theology, politics, etc all the time and are used to talking to people with different views. You're one that has some different views than us, but it's all good. I think in the end we all strive for the same things.
Lots of Love! Jen
So who puts people into places of authority?
GOD or Man?
Anonymous:
"All authority upon Earth is there by God".
So, point taken.
God determines who is in authority and I know that.
I also have a responsibility to do what I believe to be right as a Christian. I would hope that I am walking close enough to Him to do the right thing, but understanding my humanity as well, I might sometimes be actually voting against God's choice.
Acknowleding that He is in control of everything helps a bit, but I can also get a bit hysterical when it comes to politics and thoughts of a future with certain leaders! :)
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