http://www.urbanmennonite.com/2008/06/25/dobson-please-exit-stage-right/ from Bulltown to bullshit Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:07:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 http://www.urbanmennonite.com/2008/06/25/dobson-please-exit-stage-right/comment-page-1/#comment-240 mennomom Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:16:09 +0000 http://www.urbanmennonite.com/?p=229#comment-240 Way to go, urbanmenno! I just read Obama's speech in its entirety. What a masterpiece of reasoned discourse. Our children were young when Dr. James Dobson was at the height of his glory as a family life/child rearing expert. And yes, the "Dr." title did add an aura of professionalism and legitimacy to his books and presentations. Our church showed his film series on Sunday nights and we attended dutifully. I didn't agree with all of what he said, but much of it made sense and came across as, as you say, temperate. Not being a listener of "Christian radio" or any radio, for that matter, I never did buy into the whole "Focus on the Family" subculture. But sometime during the '80's I picked up a copy of his magazine or got on his mailing list and read an article wherein he made disparaging remarks about the feminist movement, specifically regarding the Equal Rights Amendment, which I took issue with. So I wrote him a letter. I soon received a reply from one of his underlings, along with a whole pack of excerpts from his books, which indicated to me that "Focus ...." was not interested in anything remotely resembling conversation/dialogue about anything that did not align exactly with their interpretation of Holy Writ. Whereupon I wrote another letter expressing my disappointment in their foray into partisan politics and requested my name be removed from their mailing list. Since then, I've been appalled at his utterances, to the point where I really can't imagine that he's taken seriously. But maybe he is, and that's really scary. All I know is that when someone at church - since I don't normally hang out with his followers - says "Dobson" I have this gut response wherein I cringe with distaste and must make a deliberate attempt to monitor my verbal and nonverbal reaction. However, on the positive side, I think he has now stepped over the line of reason and civility so often that he has discredited himself into the oblivion in which he belongs and where I hope he stays until he repents. My only regret and great sadness is that to much of North America - unfortunately he has quite a following among Canadian evangelicals also - he is a spokesperson for Christians. And Christians are supposed to reflect Jesus. I must check whether "Focus On the Family" magazine is still being contributed to our church library. But if it is, do I have the guts to say something? Probably not - I'm battle weary. Way to go, urbanmenno! I just read Obama’s speech in its entirety. What a masterpiece of reasoned discourse. Our children were young when Dr. James Dobson was at the height of his glory as a family life/child rearing expert. And yes, the “Dr.” title did add an aura of professionalism and legitimacy to his books and presentations. Our church showed his film series on Sunday nights and we attended dutifully. I didn’t agree with all of what he said, but much of it made sense and came across as, as you say, temperate. Not being a listener of “Christian radio” or any radio, for that matter, I never did buy into the whole “Focus on the Family” subculture. But sometime during the ’80’s I picked up a copy of his magazine or got on his mailing list and read an article wherein he made disparaging remarks about the feminist movement, specifically regarding the Equal Rights Amendment, which I took issue with. So I wrote him a letter. I soon received a reply from one of his underlings, along with a whole pack of excerpts from his books, which indicated to me that “Focus ….” was not interested in anything remotely resembling conversation/dialogue about anything that did not align exactly with their interpretation of Holy Writ. Whereupon I wrote another letter expressing my disappointment in their foray into partisan politics and requested my name be removed from their mailing list. Since then, I’ve been appalled at his utterances, to the point where I really can’t imagine that he’s taken seriously. But maybe he is, and that’s really scary. All I know is that when someone at church – since I don’t normally hang out with his followers – says “Dobson” I have this gut response wherein I cringe with distaste and must make a deliberate attempt to monitor my verbal and nonverbal reaction. However, on the positive side, I think he has now stepped over the line of reason and civility so often that he has discredited himself into the oblivion in which he belongs and where I hope he stays until he repents. My only regret and great sadness is that to much of North America – unfortunately he has quite a following among Canadian evangelicals also – he is a spokesperson for Christians. And Christians are supposed to reflect Jesus. I must check whether “Focus On the Family” magazine is still being contributed to our church library. But if it is, do I have the guts to say something? Probably not – I’m battle weary.

]]> http://www.urbanmennonite.com/2008/06/25/dobson-please-exit-stage-right/comment-page-1/#comment-238 A. Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:10:45 +0000 http://www.urbanmennonite.com/?p=229#comment-238 Are you watching John Stewart right now? As usual, a great take on this stuff. Are you watching John Stewart right now? As usual, a great take on this stuff.

]]>