Bush spiritual adviser responds to James Dobson

This email was sent to a listserve that I belong to. I called Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell and he confirmed he sent this.

Dear friends,

My name is Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell. Some folks know me as one of President Bush's spiritual advisors. I'm also a strong supporter of Barack Obama, because he's a Christian who's unashamed of his faith and wants to bring Americans of all faiths and backgrounds together

Today, Dr. James Dobson from Focus on the Family attacked Barack Obama for a thoughtful, powerful speech that Obama delivered on faith and politics in June of 2006. You can read Obama's speech here and Dobson's attack here.

In his speech, Obama spoke about his own Christian journey. He called on progressives to recognize the power of faith in the lives of millions of Americans. He called on conservatives to uphold the separation of church and state. And he called on both sides to work together to find common ground.

I didn't agree with everything in his speech, but I agreed with Obama's courage, his compassion and his message of healing.

But what did Dr. Dobson say in response?

He called Obama's view of the constitution "fruitcake." He said that Obama was "deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible." And he charged Obama with going to the "lowest common denominator of morality."

Normally, folks don't respond to overheated charges like Dobson's. But not any more.

We have created JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakForMe.com to send a message to Dr. Dobson and the entire country that it's not OK to launch faith-based attacks on other Christians. I am asking American Christians to visit JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakForMe.com and sign the statement below today. Tell Dr. Dobson that he doesn't speak for you when he attacks Barack Obama.

We've already had a number of prominent signers. We hope you'll add your name to the list.

Please go to JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakForMe.com and sign up today. Or you can simply reply to this email with your name, title, house of worship (optional), and any message you'd like to send.

It's time for Christians to stand up to attacks like this. We honor Dr. Dobson for his service on behalf of American families, but when he unfairly attacks another American, we're here to say: James Dobson Doesn't Speak for Me.

Blessings,

Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell

Comments

[Jody Gaddy]

Roland:

I have been searching for the full video of Obama's speech on religion.
This speech was given on 28 June, 2006.

Here is the link. Watch ALL of it to understand how Republicans can be so ignorant and hypocritical. He also talks about Allen Keyes and his claim that Jesus would not vote for Obama.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid353515028?bctid=416343938

[D'Anne]

I was impressed with the speech, which is still very relevant today. Now, I am not one to question the Bible, but if asked you should have an answer. Two of the many points that I took from the speech was 1)when he talked about Abraham sacrificing his son Isacc (You should really watch the speech if you haven't) and how if today we saw a man named Abraham on top of a building fixing to stap his son Isacc, talking about "how God will provide" we would call the police and say the man was crazy. His point was that we don't hear what "Abraham" is hearing. As a result we have to make sense of the things we all hear (Again watch the speech, Obama explains it better). 2) and I quote "Democracy demands that the religiously motivated translate their concerns into universal rather than religious specific values..." I thought this profound. (the following comes from me) No, we Christains can't leave our religion at home, but when we take it with us we should realize that our neighbor who happens to be a Muslim did as well.

[D.L.M.]

Hello Roland, I just downloaded the clip of James Dobson 6-24-08. I have listened to Mr. James Dobson on many other occasions. That's his opinion and I support his right to freely express it. I also support Senator Barack Obamas' rights. Roe vs.
Wade was passed in 1973, before Senator Obama was old enough to even know what abortion was. But, James Dobson was old enough to know. What did he do then to stop abortion? Its a little late to argue the point.

[Kevin Facey]

I agree with Rev. Caldwell. Someone like James Dobson, does not speak for me either. There may be issues that we may agree with, but overall, he does not speak for me, or many other Christians. He can only speak for those who are much more like minded in what he believes in.

[ruth]

Obama has repeatedly attack Christian ministers and said they hijacked the Christian faith.. Actually Obama is not in a position to judge considering his own so called Christian affilation for 20 years...
Obama's own words are firey darts against the foundation of Christianity.. He says Jesus is not the only way.. This means jESUS IS A LIAR.. hE ALSO SAYS ALL MEN ARE children of god.. This means the story of creation and original sin is a lie and jesus words of matt 13:-35-38 are also lies....And while Obama is trashing Christianity and Jesus words he is upholding muslims and their beliefs...I think what we have here is a wolf in sheep's clothing.. called taqiyya in Islam