Dobson Abuses The Public Airwaves

Barack Obama learned this week that conservative Christians have began their line of attacks against him. The Democratic presidential nominee had surfed his way through his party's primary with a fair amount of criticism from right-wingers, but now that he is the nominee, Republicans are going full steam ahead by organizing Evangelicals like James Dobson to discredit him over the air.

Yes, James Dobson used the public airwaves recently to accuse the Senator from Illinois of "distorting the Bible" in a speech he made back in June 2006. Obama used some Biblical references in his delivery and now the conservative right wants to use that against him. Dobson has been quoted as saying that Obama used the Bible to fit "his own worldview" and accused Obama of having "confused theology."

Ok, let's make two things clear: #1. The Bible and all other religious texts are up for interpretation. #2. Dobson's radio show, "Focus On The Family," is aimed at spreading the message of Christianity to the masses, NOT to stir controvery for political gain.

Now, it's evident that Dobson is using the public airwaves to preach politics instead of the teachings of Jesus Christ and he is doing so to further the mission of the right-wing agenda, which includes painting Obama as a liberal-punk who doesn't care about American Christian values. This has been a key strategy by conservatives since Obama began his run for the nomination: Exploit Obama's background, his religious beliefs, his church attendance...even his middle name.

On this particularly, cowardly effort, Dobson with the aid of FOX News wants to spread the message to the American public that Obama has no respect for the Bible's teachings, therefore, no respect for American values. The target of this message: Middle America. The Republicans want to make sure the scale in the mid-western states tilts to the right on Election Day. What a better way to do it?

Now, you and I can read a passage in the Bible and have different interpretations of it and since this is America, that disagreement should be fine. It's a free country and we have the freedom to believe in anything we want. So, if Obama used the Bible to make his point, then THAT IS FINE, THAT IS AMERICAN.

The real hypocrecy here comes from Dobson himself, who instead of doing his job -- preaching about Jesus Christ -- he is using his radio pulpit to condemn and accuse a fellow Christian. "Thou shall not judge" is also in the New Testament, but Mr. Dobson has clearly forgotten what the Bible says because he is too busy being a puppet for the Republican party.

This is no longer about what Obama said in his 2006 speech, this is about Dobson and all those conservative Christians who take advantage of the broadcast systems in an election year to gun down the Democratic candidates with their radio mics. It's an abuse of the public airwaves -- it's like saying its okay for ESPN to cancel their NBA Playoffs coverage so they can cover Martha Steward's court case. It's NOT okay. It's wrong. Where is the FCC?

	Dobson Accuses Obama of 'Distorting' Bible Following Obama's Claims That An Old Testament Government Would Be Impractical	CNN	Wed Jun 25	2
	Evangelist accuses Obama of 'distorting' Bible - CNN.com	CNN	Tue Jun 24	15
	Obama dismisses Dobson criticism about Bible	Associated Press	Tue Jun 24	12
	Dobson delivers blow to McCain candidacy	Reuters	Tue Jun 24	4
	Dobson accuses Obama of 'distorting' Bible	Associated Press	Mon Jun 23	5