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How different are they? Really? James Dobson and Barack Obama?
On the face of it there is little, save their shared humanity, that seems to unite the two men. From their skin color to their positions on abortion, gay marriage, poverty, the role of government, from their views on the separation of church and state to their positions on the Iraq War, the men are about as far apart as men can get.
But appearances are deceiving. The men are actually very, very similar. (And this goes beyond their common love of basketball).
Both men see their religious faith as one of their primary political weapons. They take that faith and move in opposite directions, but their philosophy, their spirituality is very similar.
Dr. Dobson attacked Sen. Obama for having a flawed view - a deliberately skewed view - of Biblical theology "deliberately distorting the Bible," "dragging biblical understanding through the gutter," "willfully trying to confuse people," and having a "fruitcake interpretation of the Constitution." Obama responded by saying Dobson either hadn't read his speech (at a Sojourners event on poverty) or was just trying to score political points.
That back and forth, however, is simply the exchange of men who long ago decided that their faith was a tool for material ends.
It is a common mistake, a common temptation - the temptation to take the very hard work of the spiritual life - living humbly, loving your enemies, putting others first, forgiving always - and replace it with the easy work of politics - the promise that this policy or plan will bring about a sort of spiritual nirvana.
That is what unites Obama and Dobson. That they take those politics in different directions is incidental.
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It is apparent that this blog not active at the present time. Wish it was. However, because we have formed a community - wondering where and how we can continue to converse. Wonder about David, but no clue as to whether his health is OK - I suspect it it= or whether this became an overwhelming part of life and time was a problem. Or whether the guy is just on vacation. This is has been a good middle of the road and faithful place on Beliefnet. I find myself wondering what Doug or Donnie, Canucklehead or Aquaman or so many others might say about events going on. Heck, there have been days when the weird ol Canadian has sent me laughing to do the tasks of the day. And days, when Donnie has made smoke come out of my ears like in a cartoon. Doug always has a wise and cogent thought about things and now i feel like the coffee table around which we gather is gone. Well, I'm making chicken salad, strawberry iced tea and homemade rolls for conversations these days and wish you could share. My husband is particularly enamored with the chicken salad.
Last night we spent our evening at Catholic Worker house in the midst of a power outage. We served a great salad, bean soup, break, potatoes, carrots and fruit to 187 guests. Some were addicts, several were whores, some were disabled, a few were homeless vets, there were a couple of families with children. one young man had obviously not been out of prison very long and another came in joyfully - I'm so hungry and you are serving food - thank you" as he dived into. We prayed together, several acted as "crew' to clean up. It was the night that soap and toilet paper are distributed. I was gratified to find three former students either serving or living there as staff. There was mass about 9:00. As we walked to our car in that very "bad" neighborhood ( at least according to our friend who was very worried about it all) three men sat on the corner. They were dirty and carried their plastic bags with soap and lotion and toilet paper. They had been our guests for dinner. You know these guys - you pass them by most days and like me l- wonder if they are drunk or stoned or mentally ill. As we walked by they called us by name and thanked us for a nice supper "on a hot night". We stood there for a few minutes and talked about "people" things - the local baseball team, whether the "Chiefs" have a chance this year. it was a light and friendly conversation initiated by the three guys sitting with their plastic bags on the corner. They are not romantic figures. We are not saving figures. We were human beings who met over supper and now know one another's names. Suddenly gave me a new insight into Eucharist.
Posted by: Thinker | July 18, 2008 10:35 AM
Thinker,
Thanks for your touching story. Somewhere, Dorothy Day is smiling.
Our church has lay-led worship on Sundays during July and August. It's like "Church: Unplugged"-- no pastors, no choir, just three dozen people (on average) who are up for just about anything. It's my favorite time of the year! Anyway, I'm leading one of the services, a my theme will be God and politics, focusing on the Jubilee texts (Lk 4, Lev 25). As I prepare, I'm reminded that the themes that matter to God are nearly absent from our political discourse. That's sad, but it's a useful remember that while we as Christians wait expectantly for Christ's triumphant return, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue isn't likely to be the site of that return.
For political junkies in this slow season, there's no better site than fivethirtyeight.com. Unmatched statistical analysis of the presidential race, and thoughtful blog posts too.
David, prayers continue for your health, and for the well-being of your family.
Peace.
Posted by: aquaman | July 19, 2008 10:09 AM
thanks Aquaman - I went over there - but it was a bit like going to Target when I'm accustomed to the corner dime store where I know everybody. But - I'll keep looking.
At any rate - I miss David - worry a bit - but I think he's OK. Really would like to hear Donnie's take on things - and Doug's -and Marlene's and Canucklhead and yours - feels a bit mournful when the gang breaks up.
Just call me sentimental.
However, what the heck is going on in this election? Read Stephen Mansfield's book on Obama's belief system - it was a very good book. He wrote a similar one about George Bush - both were respectful and there was no snarkiness. Always a good thing.
I just registered at fivethirtyeight.com as Thinker1 - Apparently there was already another Thinker. However, I haven't posted anything yet. Might post on Mansfield's books later in the weekend.
Will keep hoping this blog comes alive again.
Posted by: Thinker | July 19, 2008 9:51 PM
...the weird ol Canadian...
my lawyers will be in touch, Thinker!
more (litigation, that is) later
Posted by: canucklehead | July 20, 2008 12:02 AM
OK - movies of the summer. One one has struck me - The Visitor. In a post 9/11 world a successful professor has lost his soul, his curiosity, his wife and the story of reconnecting to a world so dangerous and so wonderful is powerful. Can't think of a better movie in the last couple of years. I think it is coming out soon on video - since it was only in art houses this summer.
Posted by: Thinker | July 20, 2008 7:45 AM
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