Progressive Revival

Welton Gaddy: October 2008 Archives

« September: Welton Ga... Main Index Archives December: Welton Gad... »

Wednesday October 29, 2008

Categories: Christians, Election '08, Evangelicals

James Dobson's letter from 2012

By: Welton Gaddy
The so called "letter from 2012" released by James Dobson is one of the most disingenuous pieces of political rhetoric I have ever encountered. The letter, portrayed as his worst fears, actually reveals the details of his agenda over the next four years.

The Religious Right has a proven track record of ripping apart administrations that don't toe their party line, but this is the first time I have seen a president condemned before he is even elected. If we accept this fear-mongering, it will only serve to embolden and empower Dr. Dobson and his allies.

I understand that Dr. Dobson has a different vision for America than what may come about if Barack Obama is elected president - and I remind you that is still very much an "if" - but our leaders are elected to represent the views of all Americans, not just those who agree with Focus on the Family.

These are difficult times we are living in, and we must - together - bring our nation safely through them before we can pretend to assume what difficult times may lie ahead. Regardless of who is elected next Tuesday, our new president must ensure that our nation remains open to people of all faith traditions, that it continues to embrace the principle of religious freedom on which it was founded and that its citizens are respected as much for their individual differences as they are for their collective patriotism.

James Dobson's letter is a reactionary abomination, containing a dismal distrust of democracy and a disrespect for the American people. Evidently Dr. Dobson's resident apocalyptic fortune teller went crazy!

Comments (18)
Filed Under: Dobson, Election 2008, Focus on the Family, obama, religious right
posted by Welton Gaddy @ 3:22pm Permalink email icon Email This arrow Add to »

Wednesday October 22, 2008

Categories: Election '08, Media, Muslims

A Good Month for Religious Pluralism, but Not Great

By: Welton Gaddy

October has been a good month for religious pluralism in America. Not great, but good. This past Sunday on Meet the Press former Secretary of State Collin Powell condemned the religious bigotry that has emerged during the campaign, saying:

"I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, 'Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim.' Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian.  He's always been a Christian.  But the really right answer is, what if he is?  Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America."

Congratulations to Secretary Powell for his willingness to challenge those on the right who use the Muslim community as their punching bag, and to those on the left who seem less than enthusiastic about speaking in their defense.

Thankfully, Secretary Powell is not alone. His comments echo a commentary CNN anchor Campbell Brown delivered on her program earlier this month entitled "So what if Obama were a Muslim or an Arab?" In it she asks:

"When did that become a disqualifier for higher office in our country? When did Arab and Muslim become dirty words? The equivalent of dishonorable or radical?"

Alongside these great statements by Powell and Campbell is the continued distribution of 28 million copies of the movie Obsession. This film, despite what its makers tell us, is a pervasive demonization of Islam.

I have been happy to see a broad range of people from across the religious and political spectrum speak out against both Obsession, and the false rumors about Senator Obama's religious background. But, I remain concerned about the staggering number of people who are choosing to stay silent.  Now is the time for all fair-minded, freedom-loving people to condemn the poisonous onslaught of religious prejudice.

Religious freedom is a founding principle of this nation. Basic to American identity as envisioned by our founders is every citizen modeling not merely tolerance, but respect and understanding.  Right now it is particularly crucial that political leaders - on both sides of the isle - not only pay lip service to religious freedom, but embody it.

October has been a good month for religious pluralism in America. Not great, but good. What would make it better would be if a presidential candidate, asked about being a Muslim, were to respond by saying, "I am not a Muslim, but so many patriotic Americans are." What would make it exemplary would be if a presidential candidate whose allies seek to use religion as a political weapon were to put a stop to such divisive tactics. What would make it terrific - and most patriotic -would be if faith were not a factor in presidential politics. Period.

 

Post the First Comment »
Filed Under: 2008 electioin, Barack Obama, CNN, Collin Powell, John McCain, Media, Muslim, NBC, Obsession
posted by Welton Gaddy @11:57am Permalink email icon Email This arrow Add to »
« September: Welton Ga... Main Index Archives December: Welton Gad... »

Advertisement

Search This Blog

About Progressive Revival

Diana Butler Bass and Paul Raushenbush both stand firmly within the Mainline Protestant tradition and, along with guest bloggers of all religious backgrounds are dedicated to the revival of religious progressivism and its influence in American politics.

Contributors

Diana Butler Bass
Diana Butler Bass is a commentator and scholar in American religion. She is the author of seven books including A People's History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story (HarperOne, 2009).
» Posts by Diana Butler Bass
Paul Raushenbush
Moderator of the Progressive Revival blog and the Associate Dean of Religious Life at Princeton University.
» Posts by Paul Raushenbush
More »

feed icon Subscribe

RSS Feed

Receive updates from Progressive Revival

Recent Posts

Most Popular Posts

Calendar

Blogroll

Beatitudes Blog

The Brody File

Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good

Daily Kos

dotCommonweal

Faith in Public Life

Fire Dog Lake

Gay Religion

Huffington Post

Jew School

The Page

Progressive & Religious

Progressive Buddhism

God's Politcs

Street Prophets

Chuck Currie

The Kitchen Table

Top Features

Advertisement

Advertisement


About Beliefnet

Our mission is to help people like you find, and walk, a spiritual path that will bring comfort, hope, clarity, strength, and happiness. More about Beliefnet.

Help

Media Kit

Subscribe

Legal

Copyright © Beliefnet, Inc. and/or its licensors. All rights reserved. Use of this site is subject to Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. Constructed by Beliefnet.

Advertisement

Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.