Adam McLane

Is James Dobson’s Reign Over?

James Dobson I’ve talked about this before. But I think it is safe to say James Dobson no longer represents the middle of the road Christian. I don’t think I’m in the middle of the evangelical road, but I think it’s becoming clear that he’s now losing traction with the masses.

I hate to sound like Rush Limbaugh. But I predicted sentiments like this. Middle of the road evangelicals are leaving the right-wing conservative camps in droves to express their dissatisfaction with their ignoring the policies that motivate young Christians to action. Justice. Equality. Education. Environment. These aren’t ideals to young Christians, they are minimum requirements and Dobson’s old-fogey-out-of-touch ways aren’t even on their map.

Prime example of Dobson’s lack of connection with today’s young Evangelicals:

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. Source

How mature. He doesn’t get his hand-picked candidate so he isn’t going to vote. (Allegedly)  Good leadership there Mr. Dobson.

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Adam McLane

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5 responses to “Is James Dobson’s Reign Over?”

  1. Dave Avatar
    Dave

    I don’t see where his comments make him irrelevant to a “younger” or “middle of the road Christian”. I consider myself to be middle of the road and the only reason I would vote for McCain is to vote against Clinton or Obama. Though I feel if you do not vote then you have no right to complain, and you should vote in any case because it is not only a right and priviledge, it a responsibility.

    Though I have the opinion that he is not as influential as he used to be, I would respectfully disagree that he has lost his influence completely.

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  2. Roger Ball Avatar
    Roger Ball

    I am 52 and I guess in Dr. Dobson’s generation. And while I have deep admiration and appreciation for his heart and contribution to the Kingdom of God over the years, I hold the same issue with Dr. Dobson as I do many other so called conservatives. It is the same issue that I have with many evangelicals today. If you are not like us, you cannot be one of us.

    I am watching now the conservative pursuit of John McCain with great disdain. While I cannot agree with some of McCain’s views, I have always appreciated his willingness to do the very thing that would be considered as a thumbing of his nose to his own party. In effect I am now hearing the conservative base say, change and agree with us and we will give you our support.

    Clinton, Obama, Romney and to a lesser degree Huckabee have already deeply applied their talk to the allegiances that will help them become President. Would it not be refreshing to have a candidate who has strong enough convictions, that they would not try to dance to the tune of a band that has a it’s us or no one agenda.

    While I would have a difficult time lining up with a Ron Paul campaign, I have to say “thank you: for sticking to your guns, irrespective of who is pleased and who is not.

    I am a long time Republican who is anxious to see the party wake up and realize that some of the issues touted on the left, need real answers too.

    More importantly I am anxious for the church to arise and stop defining Christianity as a come, be like us, talk like us, dress like us and vote like us and you can be one of us. I thought the goal was to come and follow and become like Christ.

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  3. adam mclane Avatar
    adam mclane

    Amen Roger. Well said!

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  4. RW Perkins Avatar
    RW Perkins

    I personally do not see where Dr. Dobson comments is causing the middle of the road Christians to leave in droves. As a Youth Minister (32 years old), what I see as the culprit that is driving the middle of the road Christian away is a combination of various issues. First is that the Church is allowing the world to come in and take control of it, and is not willing to stand firm on The Word of God,like Dr.Dobson is willing to stand. Second, we are talking about the middle of the road Christians. When I hear middle of the road Christians, my first thought is why are they in the middle. Jesus stated, ” I would rather you to be hot or cold, and not lukewarm”. Other words, chose your side and don’t sit in the middle. A second thought when hearing middle of the road Christian, what is keeping them in the middle, or preventing them from getting out of the middle. Are they chosing based off of others beliefs or are they trying to please everyone. In John 6:60-67 Jesus asked his dispciples ” Doe this offend you?” and many of his followers turned away, and he then he asked the twelve, ” Do you also want to go away?” Jesus knew that his ministry was offensive to some but he he never waivered from the truth. As Christian Leaders, we should never waiver the truth either, and our Truth is The Word of God, and by being an example. I see Dr Dobson as such an example and do not see McCain as an example, when he has consistantly voted against many issues that go against God’s word. Sure I know that we all fail, but when we are in the Word of God, we will not consistantly fail, and will stand on the Truth.
    I think that it is time for the Church and Christians to quit being afraid of offending someone because of their disbelief in a living God, and start proclaiming The Word of God boldly.

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  5. adam mclane Avatar
    adam mclane

    RW- thanks for the comment. You’ve twisted what I meant by middle of the road a little.

    I mean politically speaking middle of the road. In political terms I’d call that a swing voter.

    My assumption is that a person can be an “hot” Christian and be either a democrat or republican.

    A litmus test for me, when I vote is not… does this person claim to be a Christian. Because you could be a great Christian and a terrible leader. My litmus test is, can this person lead our nation… all of our nation, beyond party lines.

    What I react against in James Dobson is that he is so single-minded. His issues are abortion and gay marriage. The assumption is that if a Christian is to vote, those are the two litmus tests a candidate should pass.

    I don’t disagree that those are important issues. What I have been saying for months is that younger evangelicals care about MORE than those two issues. He uses scary terms like “american families are under attack.”

    Really? Are gay couples coming to the homes of heterosexuals with pitch forks? If they are… then we are under attack.

    I really just wonder what Dobson is after in releasing a statement like this.

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