Amy Sullivan: Noted Without Comment
The headline: "Dobson Withdraws from Haggard's Counseling Team." The quote: "Emotionally and spiritually, I wanted to be of help," Dobson said in a statement, "but the reality is that I don't have the time…"
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So Dobson turns his back on a fellow Christian, WHY am I NOT surprised?? Dobson is a spineless little fraction of a man. He represents what's wrong with right wing ideology and how it corrupts the real message of Christ.>
Posted by: Jeremy Freeman | November 9, 2006 2:13 PM
That kind of bile reflects just as poorly on Christ. Whatever you think of the man, he is your brother. Love him, whatever you think of his actions. Petty namecalling on a blog is anything but productive.>
Posted by: Jordan Peacock | November 9, 2006 2:39 PM
I think the point of this post is that as a man of God who has been saved by Grace, Mr. Dobson should be willing and able to help a fellow believer who has sinned.
Forget what the public opinion polls say about him helping Haggard, he should be willing to do as Jesus would do. Work with the sinners. What a great message that would be to send to the world of non Christians.
Christians believe in redemption and restoration. We are all equal at the foot of the cross. I am willing to help a neighbor in need.
It's just a shame Mr. Dobson was to busy to help a neighbor in need.>
Posted by: Bill | November 9, 2006 3:48 PM
I've always respected people who seriously consider whether they will be able to adequately follow through on a commitment, and decline the commitment if they believe they can't give what it takes. There may be a lot of legitimate things to criticize Dobson for, but I don't think this is one of them.>
Posted by: Bill Samuel | November 9, 2006 4:01 PM
Matthew 7:15-16 says: By their fruits (actions) you will know them.
Your religious right's Mr Dobson puts on a very smooth glossy exterior, but I'd rather have Ted Haggard as a friend. At least he was prepared to come clean and take responsibility.
As for Mr D, I just hope his world never crumbles. He might find himself in a very lonely place without any friends to rely on. That's when you learn who real friends are.>
Posted by: Tad Eastman | November 9, 2006 4:04 PM
No comment? That's an unthinking comment. Most of us have used and will continue to use Dobson's excuse when helping someone in need will mean less time for us to pursue our "more important" agenda.>
Posted by: Steve Wintermute | November 9, 2006 4:08 PM
Of course Dobson doesn't have time.
He's too busy wagging his fingers at the "sinners" (ie, everybody who isn't James Dobson)to be troubled by the trivial crises of real people in his actual life.
He's the rhetorical equivalent of someone who would walk around a bleeding man to attend a prayer meeting on time.>
Posted by: Matt Channing | November 9, 2006 4:17 PM
Wonder who'll step up and take Haggard's place at the top of the National Association of Evangelicals?
.>
Posted by: justintime | November 9, 2006 4:22 PM
I hope the counseling team includes someone who is a CPE supervisor and will honestly confront the issues with the Rev. Haggard. Frankly, I am relieved Dr. Dobson bailed out. For all of his education I have found many of his counseling techniques of questionable value.>
Posted by: John Pehrson | November 9, 2006 4:33 PM
I don't think much of Dobson. But for all we know, the Holy Spirit may have lead him to pull out of this task. Perhaps there are other things for which he is more suited.
I pray that will soften his heart.>
Posted by: Jeff Livingston | November 9, 2006 4:34 PM
Bill Samuel,
Dobson actually agreed (committed) to serving on this committee and then reneged. I think the accusation still stands. It's hard not to believe that he did a "reapprisal" of how his participation would play out among his constituents and then backed out, though, admittedly, its unprovable.>
Posted by: Matt | November 9, 2006 4:58 PM
Gosh, Amy Sullivan and all you guys seem to really know Dobson's heart on this. Or maybe you're just satisfied believing the worst about him. Either way, this speculation is wrong. You don't know anything.>
Posted by: jessie | November 9, 2006 5:03 PM
Jessie,
The ONLY reason we're satisfied in believing the worst about him is that he's never disappointed us in this respect before.
Dobson has never, through his words, actions or attitude, given many of us any reason to expect anything other than the lowest common denominator.
You're right, Jessie. We don't know anything.
Except for everything Dobson has said or done in the past 25 years.>
Posted by: Matt Channing | November 9, 2006 5:17 PM
Don't have the time??? Wow, with friends like Dobson, Haggard needs few enemies!>
Posted by: badmash | November 9, 2006 6:02 PM
There are so many different possibilities that might affect Dobson's ability to help Haggard:
1. Dobson realized that Haggard's spiritual issues are even more difficult than he expected.
2. Dobson recognized that Haggard's situation was one that he was ill-suited to deal with because of temperment or lack of training.
3. Dobson recognized that he had some impediments in his own heart -- maybe even some sin of his won that he must deal with first.
4. Haggard was still evasive in their early sessions.
5. Dobson saw Haggard was trying to use his contacts with Dobson to regain power and stepped aside to force Haggard to focus on his spiritual issues first.
I'm not making any accusations, and it is possible that Dobson is just being a jerk. But if we're going to speculate we should be ready to consider all the possibilities, including the ones in which Dobson is not a total bastard.
Wolverine>
Posted by: Wolverine | November 9, 2006 6:33 PM
As far as the original post by Amy Sullivan, I can't see anything terribly wrong with what she did. This is a matter of interest to the church as a whole, but its significance is not clear and may never be made clear. So calling it to our attention "without comment" seems reasonable to me.
Wolverine>
Posted by: Wolverine | November 9, 2006 6:37 PM
There's a little biblical matter of "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.'" If Dobson said "yes" to counseling Haggard (which he did), he should've followed through. I think it's foolish to speculate as to WHY Dobson reneged on his commitment, but I frankly am glad Dobson is out. I think Pastor Haggard will be much better off without him. And let's use this news as yet another reminder to be praying for this man and his family.>
Posted by: Steve K. | November 9, 2006 6:55 PM
Maybe Dobson's afraid he won't be able to "cure" or "heal" the homosexuality in Haggard and so the world will have one less false 'ex-gay'.
Or maybe he's afraid he'll get caught trying to 'restore' Haggard the way he 'restores' his children - namely by beating them.>
Posted by: curiouser and curiouser... | November 9, 2006 7:42 PM
I guess you got to make time and the fact that he would have had time if he did not fall is a poor reflection on Dobson. he's pathetic even more than Haggard.
p>
Posted by: Payshun | November 9, 2006 8:02 PM
As the mother of a gay son I have been so confused and hurt over the comments and books written by Dr. Dobson on homosexuality. I was an Evangelical Christian and no longer believe in God because I just can't believe that He would ever let this man or his cohorts speak for Him.
The only way Dr. Dobson or his "friends" could ever understand homosexuality is to have a CHILD that was LGBT. All the years while my children where growing up I always taught them NEVER to judge a person because we didn't walk in their shoes. I am, of course, walking the walk.
I hope that Dr. Dobson is not a part of this man's healing because I am convinced that Dr. Dobson has no empathy or sympathy for anyone, but parents of drug addicts/alcoholics/adulterers, etc. They get sympathy and hugs from their church family, but if we want to support our gay children we are treated like lepers.
On his website he once posted how awful it was to have the "gay agenda" trashing his lawn. Imagine, I have to worry everytime my son is out that he could be KILLED or beaten up like so many other children. I only wish I had to worry about vandalism on a building or property.
I can already tell you the outcome of all this -- Ted & his wife will live happily ever after and he will probably get accepted back by his church.
I wish the church would afford the LGBT & their families the same love and if I could just stop hearing the words, love the sinner, but hate the sin........>
Posted by: Deb | November 9, 2006 8:43 PM
Has anyone noticed how Ms Sullivan redacted Dobson's statement? In the article, it says the following:
"Emotionally and spiritually, I wanted to be of help -- but the reality is I don't have the time to devote to such a critical responsibility."
Amy, of course, failed to note the last part, "to devote to such a critical responsibility," which indicates Dobson's concern for Haggard's well-being. That Sullivan and the majority of those who've commented here assume the absolute worst about Dobson and throw stones at him suggests that hypocrisy is as equally present here as it is among those whom Sojourners (often giddily) points out hypocrisy in: the "sinners" comprising the Religious Right.>
Posted by: Timbo | November 9, 2006 9:04 PM
Timbo - perhaps you haven't been the object that the rock has been aimed at?>
Posted by: Deb | November 9, 2006 9:16 PM
Deb,
I urge you to do something that is impossible and on the surface it is wrong and almost even blasphemous. But forgive God for letting Haggerd speak for him.
p>
Posted by: Payshun | November 9, 2006 9:49 PM
Steve K. wrote:
There's a little biblical matter of "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.'" If Dobson said "yes" to counseling Haggard (which he did), he should've followed through.
Steve, have you ever made a commitment, thinking you would be able to fulfill it, only to discover that you wouldn't be able to?
I think we all have at some point or another, and we did more or less what Dobson did: back out as gracefully as possible.
Again, maybe there's more than meets the eye, but right now all we have is suspicion and speculation.
Wolverine>
Posted by: Wolverine | November 9, 2006 10:05 PM
When someone says "without comment", they tend to be implying a comment. Sullivan has been smiling about the Haggard incident since it first came to the press. Now, she has an opportunity to further beat Dobson over the head with it.
Maybe Sojourner's should rename their organization to call it "Dobson is a dumb-dumb-head who hatey-hates people real bad".
I say that, of course, without intending any comment.>
Posted by: kevin s. | November 9, 2006 10:23 PM
Did no one read the entire quote? Sullivan stopped right before a critical point, significantly mischaracterizing Dobson's stance. Here's the quote she linked to:
"Emotionally and spiritually, I wanted to be of help -- but the reality is I don't have the time to devote to such a critical responsibility"
Seems like Dobson is very well intentioned. None of us have time to help everyone.
I don't see the point of this post, unless it was to take opportunity for an unfair and mischaracterized stab at Dobson.
_>
Posted by: HAC | November 10, 2006 5:29 AM
Sorry, the bold should also include "to devote".
_>
Posted by: HAC | November 10, 2006 5:30 AM
I believe Mr. Dobson just did what too many of us have done ourselves. He just saw an injured man and crossed the road to avoid him. Let's be careful about passing judgement on Mr. Dobson and help the next injured man we see.>
Posted by: Charlie Russell | November 10, 2006 10:14 AM
I don't know...I can understand why Ms. Sullivan made no comment. I read the Dobson quote and shrugged. What would you say about such a statment?
Beats me! Could mean a lot of things. Positive or negative.
I would feel like I didn't have enough information to make any comment. I mean...I would feel like what can I say that would even be halfway intelligent?
The statement is vague. I would need more clarification about what he meant. It could mean too MANY various things.
Shrug...beats me!>
Posted by: Amazon Creek | November 11, 2006 6:19 AM
Charlie,
You said not to be careful about passing judgment on Dobson right after passing judgement on him (He just saw an injured man and crossed the road to avoid him). I'm not a Dobson apologist, but I think his reaction is more comparable to an ER doctor who has a patient that needs long-term care, and says the patient needs to be transfered to a specialist.
_>
Posted by: HAC | November 11, 2006 8:21 PM
When reading that remark re: not having time, although he would like to help. Reminds me of a parable I have read.
Any guesses out there which one I'm reminded of.
Religious leaders, we need to continue to pray for all of them.>
Posted by: MB | November 13, 2006 10:30 PM
"When someone says "without comment", they tend to be implying a comment."
Never Say "NO COMMENT" - How Spin Doctors Answer Questions - by Ian Taylor and George Olds>
Posted by: curiouser and curiouser... | November 14, 2006 6:31 PM
"I think his reaction is more comparable to an ER doctor who has a patient that needs long-term care, and says the patient needs to be transfered to a specialist."
But HAC, Mr. Dobson has set himself up as such a "specialist". (Not that he's any good at "curing" or "healing" gays, eh?)>
Posted by: curiouser and curiouser... | November 14, 2006 6:33 PM
Wolverine,
"There are so many different possibilities that might affect Dobson's ability to help Haggard:
1. Dobson realized that Haggard's spiritual issues are even more difficult than he expected.
Agreed. "Curing" gay people is WAY more 'difficult' than Exodus would have you believe.
"2. Dobson recognized that Haggard's situation was one that he was ill-suited to deal with because of temperment or lack of training."
Dobson has always set himself up as the role model on behavioural modification. Check out how he 'modifies' his children's behaviour. As for actual "lack of training", how DOES one 'train' to pray away the gay, anyway?
"3. Dobson recognized that he had some impediments in his own heart -- maybe even some sin of his won that he must deal with first."
Methinks you may be on to something here. Only time will tell. (Perhaps with the help of some invetigative journalists.)
"4. Haggard was still evasive in their early sessions."
The early sessions are ancient history.
"5. Dobson saw Haggard was trying to use his contacts with Dobson to regain power and stepped aside to force Haggard to focus on his spiritual issues first."
Huh?
"I'm not making any accusations, and it is possible that Dobson is just being a jerk."
VERY possible. Probable, in fact.
"But if we're going to speculate we should be ready to consider all the possibilities, including the ones in which Dobson is not a total bastard."
Where did you find that "possibility"? Certainly not from his website.>
Posted by: curiouser and curiouser... | November 14, 2006 6:40 PM
MB (and anyone else criticizing Dobson),
Have you offered help to Haggard? Would you be willing to take hours of time every week - perhaps a little bit every day - to help him? Why must it automatically be some immoral act by Dobson? Have you even entertained the idea he may just not have the time, and believes his time is better spent elsewhere (the point of my analogy, although perhaps not the best). He may be spending that time counseling others. Who are you to judge? I think you guys are ascribing sinful behavior because you want to find it, and I find your criticism intellectually dishonest.
_>
Posted by: HAC | November 15, 2006 5:46 AM
HAC
Well, I guess a specific parable did come to mind for you - even though I did not mention one. I find that interesting.
I said nothing about Mr. Dobson being immoral or anything else negative except that the circumstances reminded me of a parable. And I ended it with saying we need to pray for all our religious leaders. That would include both Mr. Dobson and Mr. Haggard and all others. And as far as me judging - is not your comment a judgement upon what I have written.
And as far as have I offered help to Mr. Haggard. Of course not. I am not in his circles, I don't live anywhere near him, nor do I have the experience or training in areas such as these. But what I can tell you is that if an opportunity would arise for me to offer him help - I would.
But for me I believe the best help and the only help I could truly offer Mr. Haggard, his family and the church, and for me the church would include Mr. Dobson is prayer. And yes HAC - I do, do that.
And for the record, I'm sorry that it seems I offended you. I will work on being more compassionate and if so less judgemental in other posts.
Have a great day, dude.>
Posted by: MB | November 15, 2006 12:20 PM
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