Be explicit James Dobson

Did you mean to say that men should shoot trans men in bathrooms? I’m unclear. What are we supposed to do?

“If you are a married man with any gumption, surely you will defend your wife’s privacy and security in restroom facilities,” Dobson writes in a column published this week on the far-right site WND. He imagines such scenarios as “a strange-looking man, dressed like a woman … peering over toilet cubicles to watch your wife in a private moment” and “men who walk in unannounced, unzip their pants and urinate in front of [little girls].”

“If this had happened 100 years ago, someone might have been shot,” he continues. “Where is today’s manhood? God help us!” Via James Dobson: Be a Man, Shoot a Trans Woman in the Bathroom

It’s clear that Trudy Ring of The Advocate thinks Dobson is advocating for violence, but I am not sure. Dobson does not actually say, SHOOT THEM. He talks around it though. Let’s look at the original text.

Obama, acting like a king, is wielding dictatorial powers never envisioned in the law. He is determined to change the way males and females relate to one another, and worse, how children perceive themselves. If you are a married man with any gumption, surely you will defend your wife’s privacy and security in restroom facilities. Would you remain passive after knowing that a strange-looking man, dressed like a woman, has been peering over toilet cubicles to watch your wife in a private moment? What should be done to the pervert who was using mirrors to watch women and girls in their stalls? If you are a dad, I pray you will protect your little girls from men who walk in unannounced, unzip their pants and urinate in front of them. If this had happened 100 years ago, someone might have been shot. Where is today’s manhood? God help us! Via Protect Your Kids from Tyrant Obama

Let’s set aside most of the paranoid rantings the start the paragraph. What matters to me is this sentence. “If this had happened 100 years ago, someone might have been shot.” - I am not sure this is true, but I understand his appeal to the good old days of segregation and repression. Dobson is clearly saying, transgendered people would have been shot in the past by real men.

His next sentence challenges his male readers. “Where is today’s manhood” Dobson is clearly calling out men who do not protect their families like the real men of old. Dobson may not actually say to go out and shoot transgendered people, but its pretty clear that that is what he means. It is a repressible call to action that skirts direct responsibility for action while at the same time, encouraging that same action. I’d call it masterful if it did not come from human filth.

Please shut your business down James Dobson. Please.

James Dobson would rather shut down that give required coverage to his employees. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. In fact, I want to encourage him to shut his business down now matter what. Do it as a sign of protest. 

"The evangelist James Dobson still refuses to comply with the Obamacare legislation.   His staunch opposition to the plan, which requires employers to cover abortifacients – or substances that induce abortion, made headlines once again this week.  During an interview, Dobson made it clear that his organization refuses to abide by the abortifacients portion of the birth control mandate, even if it means shutting down his organization.  He went on to say,

‘We are suing (HHS Secretary) Kathleen Sebelius for forcing or trying to force all of us to give abortifacients medications to our employees,’ and I just absolutely refuse to do it.  We’ll close down before I’ll do it.’"

Source: James Dobson Says He Would Rather Shut Down Than Comply With Birth Control Mandate:

Of course, even if he loses his fight he will not shut down. We all know this already. Fanatics like Dobson won’t go that away. 

Is Focus on the Family going broke?

I sure hope so. Their Love Won Out campaign is in trouble. If you don’t follow these religious zealots, Love Won Out focuses on helping people deal with the “Homosexual Lifestyle.” Few things pisses me off more than this wrong headed ministry.

The "Love Won Out" conferences were staged all over the country and claimed to assist individuals in leaving the 'homosexual lifestyle.' The events promised to "help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome." The conference program has been ceded to Exodus International, a Florida-based evangelical ministry with the core message "Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ." A spokesperson for Focus on the Family said, "Financial realities played a role in the decision. That said, Exodus is really the one who should be running 'Love Won Out' anyway. It makes sense independent of economic realities." In addition to discontinuing the conference program under its own auspices, the organization will eliminate one staff position and is considering additional financial cuts. Last year, Focus on the Family had to eliminate 200 staff positions because of another budget shortfall.

I know it is too much to hope for, but I will hope for it none the less.

Technorati Tags: FotF,Christians,James Dobson

Focus on the Family employee arrested

He translated the bible into Spanish by day, and cruised the net for teen sex by night.

A Colorado Springs man who narrates the Bible in Spanish on CDs and works in the Spanish broadcasting department of Focus on the Family appeared in court Monday in Golden on two felony counts of using the Internet to lure a 15-year-old girl for sex, The Denver Post reports.

Juan Alberto Ovalle, 42, was arrested Friday when he drove to Lakewood to meet the girl — who turned out to be an undercover officer — after discussing various sexual acts he wanted to perform with her, the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office said.

It will be interesting to see what James Dobson has to say about this. My guess is nothing.

Technorati tags: Hypocrisy, Clergy Sexual Misconduct, Focus on the Family

Oh hell yes

James Dobson has retired from Focus on the Family.

Dr. James Dobson, the conservative evangelical leader who founded Focus on the Family 32 years ago and turned it into a major political and media force with millions of followers across the country, suddenly resigned as chairman today.

The Colorado Springs group framed the resignation as part of an ongoing turnover of ministry leadership to the next generation. The 72-year-old Dobson's wife, Shirley, who is chairman of the National Day of Prayer, also left the Focus board.

Now if only he would stop speaking in public, but I suppose that is too much to ask.

eHarmony.com to match 'gays'

Image via CrunchBase

I read this headline and smiled. One of James Dobson's backhanded attempts at social engineering has failed. Dobson used eHarmony.com to define healthy relationships. In doing so, Dobson excluded gay relationships from the equation.

Internet dating service eHarmony has officially agreed to begin matching homosexual couples, beginning next year.

The popular California-based service has been known for focusing on long-term relationships, especially marriage, which has been said to align with founder Clark Warren's early work with Focus on the Family's evangelical Christian base and perspective.

Warren, a psychologist with a divinity degree, has had three of his 10 books on love and dating published by Focus on the Family. It was an appearance on James Dobson's radio program, in 2001, that triggered a response of 90,000 new referrals to the website, starting a climb of registered participants on the site from 4,000 to today's 20 million clients.

As WND reported, the company originally said it was " based on the Christian principles of Focus on the Family author Dr. Neil Clark Warren." It stood firm on its decision to reject homosexuals from its profiling and matching services. Its entire compatibility system is based on research of married heterosexual couples.

Read more...

Justice was slow in coming, but it has finally arrived.

Related articles

• eHarmony Goes Gay
• Gays and Lesbians Can Start Looking for Love on eHarmony
• eHarmony to Segregate Gay Matchmaking Site

Technorati tags: James Dobson, eHarmony, Gay Rights

Trouble ahead for James Dobson

Image via Wikipedia

The god business must be falling on hard times. Focus on the Family plans to layoff another 200 people has this onetime powerhouse of religions politics falls on hard times.

James Dobson and Focus on the Family were active supporters of Prop 8.

The cutbacks come after Focus, formerly headquartered in California until 1991, spent a reported half-million dollars to successfully support Proposition 8 in the Golden State, overturning a state court decision to allow same-sex marriages.

There are few things worse than losing your job heading into the holiday season. I feel for those who are about to take the hit. However, I feel only contempt for Dobson and is malignant hateful organization. I want to see it go out of business. Let the forces of economic justice wreak havoc on his misguided organization. I am sure a kinder, gentler, more socially responsibly organization will fill the gap. And something tells me he will not be missed.

Related articles

• Proposition 8 Protests in Mississippi
• Religious Right James Dobson

Technorati tags: James Dobson, Prop 8, Gay Rights, FOTF

Examining Sarah Palin #2

I have an axiom which says, if James Dobson is for something, it is wrong. And that is the problem, James Dobson supports Sarah Palin, so that makes Sarah Palin and by extension, John McCain wrong.

Sarah Palin is a direct attempt to snare the evangelical vote. Their intent was simple, give the evangelical voter an anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage fundie mouthpiece, who is dressed up to put a good face on the same old tired right wing theocratic crap. Dobson says it best.

He applauded the Republicans' stronger wording against embryonic stem-cell research in the new party platform, which many consider the most pro-life in history, concluding, "If I went into the polling booth today, I would pull the lever for John McCain."

Dobson first commented on Palin when she was chosen as McCain's running mate last week.  He exclaimed, "Sen. McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is an outstanding choice that should be extremely reassuring to the conservative base of his party. She is a strong executive who hates corruption and puts principle above politics."

Dr. Dobson joins a chorus of pro-life and pro-family leaders supporting McCain for solidifying his ticket with the strongly pro-life and pro-family Palin, and giving voters confidence that the Republican nominees will actively champion the rights of the unborn if elected to the White House.

Source: Dobson: 'If I Went into the Polling Booth Today, I Would Pull the Lever for John McCain

By selecting Palin, McCain has sold his political soul to the very people he as been distancing himself from for the last decade. He has thrown in his lot with the haters.

Technorati tags: James Dobson, Sarah Palin, Politics, Republicans, Evangelicals

Praying for Rain

Some of the things James Dobson and his mindless minions do in the name of God are downright nuts. Writing Athena comments on the madness in the post, James Dobson Minion Urges Followers to Pray for Rainout of Obama Speech.

The snarling, sinister, cynical Christian right is showing its true colors. May they be finally and fully rejected by all people of conscience.

Stuart Shepherd, of the "Focus on the Family Action Group," has released an internet video urging James Dobson followers and anti-Obama sympathizers to pray for a torrential downpour during the Democratic National Convention, precisely at the time that Obama is set to give his speech at Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium later this month.

Make sure to watch the Youtube video

Technorati Tags: Barak Obama, Evangelicals, James Dobson

A post on James Dobson

I planned to write a post on James Dobson's response to Obama's Call to Renewal speech. The Christian blog Hackman's Musings beat me to it with Dobson has the "fruitcake" view. Dobson distorts the truth to fit his politics. It is easy to see when you compare Dobson's interpretation of Obama's speech to what Obama actually said.

It has never ceased to amaze me (though no longer surprise me) how Dobson and Focus on the Family will twist, distort, and exaggerate. Listening to Dobson's comment yesterday, I had to choose between: Is Dobson that unashamedly devious or pathetically ignorant?

Read more...

I think Dobson is mad with power. Uses religion to push his social agenda. Is unqualified to speak authoritatively on the bible or as a Christian theologian. And, he feeds on a perverse style of hate common to fundies and evangelicals. Thankfully, his influence is waning.

Technorati Tags: Politics, Evangelicals, James Dobson, Fundies, Barak Obama

James Dobson Doesn't Speak For Me

James Dobson influence is in decline. An new website called James Dobson Doesn't Speak For Me offers Christians chance to step away from Dobson's political screed.

James Dobson doesn't speak for me.

He doesn't speak for me when he uses religion as a wedge to divide;

He doesn't speak for me when he speaks as the final arbiter on the meaning of the Bible;

James Dobson doesn't speak for me when he uses the beliefs of others as a line of attack;

He doesn't speak for me when he denigrates his neighbor's views when they don't line up with his;

Read more....

I sense an era coming to and end. Comments like this give me hope.

"My faith is not confined to one or two wedge issues. Let's talk about how to love the world, help the poor, and embrace a consistent ethic of life. Let's elevate our nation through service and true leadership. Let's have a president who respects our intelligence enough to trust us with nuances rather than soundbites. Most of all, let's bring out the best in each other." - Robyn L.

I have another proposal. Let us step away from religion in politics. How about moving America back to its secular roots?

Technorati tags: James Dobson, Secularism, Politics

Gay Rights is an Atheist Issue

I've long been gay friendly. My personal position is that who one loves is a personal matter. Gay or straight, black or white, young or old, none of it really matters. We share the basic human right to live, love, and associate as we please. My friends run the gamut of race, sexual orientation, age, gender, and religion. I like it that way. I support anyone who helps move public opinion towards tolerance and acceptance. I've always viewed it as a libertarian issue. My position has changed. I owe it to The Atheist Experience (blog).

Each week I drive from Orange County through Los Angeles County to Ventura County. The drive takes about an hour and a half each Tuesday morning. I stay a few days and then return home via the same route on Thursday. Only this time the drive can take as long as four hours. I fill the drive time by listening to podcasts. The Atheist Experience and the Non Prophets are two of my favorites.

During yesterdays drive I listened to the John Hagee episode. During the show they talked about participating in an Austin Gay Pride event. I think they had a booth up for the Atheist Community of Austin.  One of the hosts (my apologies guys - I have yet been able to put a name to a voice), stated that gay rights is an Atheist issue because gay rights is a separation of church and state issue. It was like somebody turned a light bulb on in my head. I remember thinking, "Jeez, how did I miss that?"

Of course gay rights is a separation of church and state issue!Issues like excluding gays from the legal definition of marriage are clearly based in religion. James Dobson and his hate mongers push the agenda. Our politicians make it law. I feel like a tool for not putting 2 and 2 together on this one.

I wonder if the Atheist community of LA participates in any gay pride festivals? Wait... is there an atheist community of LA? Oh crap, my local chapter meets tonight.

Technorati tags: The Atheist Experience, Atheism, Gay Rights

The Evangelical Manifesto

The times are changing and so are Evangelical politics. The new thinking is to move away from single issue politics. No more focusing on Anti-abortion or Family Values. The Manifesto also calls for and end to Anti-Intellectualism. How refreshing.

An Evangelical Manifesto is an open declaration of who Evangelicals are and what they stand for. It has been drafted and published by a representative group of Evangelical leaders who do not claim to speak for all Evangelicals, but who invite all other Evangelicals to stand with them and help clarify what Evangelical means in light of “confusions within and the consternation without” the movement. As the Manifesto states, the signers are not out to attack or exclude anyone, but to rally and to call for reform.

As an open declaration, An Evangelical Manifesto addresses not only Evangelicals and other Christians but other American citizens and people of all other faiths in America, including those who say they have no faith. It therefore stands as an example of how different faith communities may address each other in public life, without any compromise of their own faith but with a clear commitment to the common good of the societies in which we all live together.

For those who are Evangelicals, the deepest purpose of the Manifesto is a serious call to reform—an urgent challenge to reaffirm Evangelical identity, to reform Evangelical behavior, to reposition Evangelicals in public life, and so rededicate ourselves to the high calling of being Evangelical followers of Jesus Christ.

My litmus test is James Dobson. if he apposes the manifesto then it is moving in the right direction.

James Dobson, founder of the conservative group Focus on the Family, reviewed the document and was asked to sign it, Dobson spokesman Gary Schneeberger said.  Dobson reportedly consulted the group’s board of directors but did not sign it “due to myriad concerns about the effort,” according to Schneeberger.

Source: Evangelical group issues political manifesto against "single-issue" politics

For the record - Dobson refused to support this. Yes! Our decade of hate is coming to a close.

Technorati tags: James Dobson, Evangelicals, politics

The War on Porn

Why is it that people actually care enough about what other people do in the privacy of their hotel rooms that they feel the need to block access to pay per view porn? I mean, what the hell?

Several conservative groups, including the American Family Association, are asking Marriott International Inc. to stop giving hotel guests the option of ordering pay-per-view movies with strong sexual content.

AFA, based in Tupelo, said 47 "pro-family leaders" have signed a letter asking chain's chief executive, J.W. Marriott Jr., for a meeting to discuss their concerns.

Marriott was told that stopping "porn movies" would be in keeping with the corporation's position of "promoting the well-being of children and families," AFA said in a news release.

Source: Conservative groups ask Marriott to stop offering hotel guests option of adult movies - International Herald Tribune

These people are going to wake up one day and realize they wasted their entire lives. If the concern is children viewing porn, try this. When you check in at your next hotel  in "please blog the adult content". I've done it when traveling with my children. Problem solved.

I have  a suggestion for Marriott hotels, add "block adult content" as an option on your customer profile database. I doubt fundies will use it. How else can they tell if the movies need to be blocked? Somebody must take one for the team (I write about this stuff all the time, so don't try to deny it!)

Of course, this is just another example of James Dobson trying to legislate our national morality. I've got news for you Dobson - this issue is none of your business. And given the profits involved here, you have no hope.

A funny side note. The last time I stayed in a hotel was last Wednesday night. It happened to be a Marriott. Instead of watching TV in my off hours. I powered up my Mac and updated the obituary posts I keep ready for a few key Christian luminaries. I don't want to go into how anal I am here. Suffice it to say my friends often shake their heads with an odd look on their face when they learn of some of my odd habits. In this case, I read a book on writing that suggested writing obituaries for famous people as a months long exercise in editing. I've been doing it for about a year now. So... my James Dobson obituary post was updated Wednesday night instead of even thinking about watching cheesy hotel porn.

Technorati tags: Porn, Marriott, James Dobson, American Family Association, Theocracy

The fundie back rub, Washington style

We all know how politics work. You rub my back and I'll rub yours is simply the way business gets done. President George W. Bush has carried on the tradition, only his emphasis has been on helping spread Christianity as well as enriching his posse.  It all started with the war in Iraq and some large contracts going to organizations with connections to Bush or Cheney. In this case, large contracts were award to Blackwater who is owned by fundie and Bush political crony Eric Prince. Somehow Prince found a way to funnel more than million dollars to fundie organizations run by James Dobson, who in turn used his influence to guide the malleable minions of Christ towards a demonist paradise. It is enough to make one distrust the government; perhaps even enough to vote for a democrat.

I have a prediction. Once Bush is gone, I think Congress will be consumed rooting out these scandals. Indictments will follow.

Read all about Blackwaters' charitable giving here.

Technorati tags: Fundies, Politics, James Dobson

Review: HBO - Hard as Nails

I waited a few days after my first post on Hard as Nails to post a review. I wanted to separate my negative emotional response to this documentary from my rational response. You see, this documentary, and its subject, Justin Fatica, touched on something primeval in me. It stirred hatred, and hatred is something I prefer not to harbor. I failed. I could not get over Fatica. He scares me.

As documentaries go, Hard as Nails is a good one. It tells the story of lay catholic pastor Justin Fatica and his Hard as Nails ministry in a convincing and disturbing way. I enjoyed it. At one point I said to myself, this is the kind of documentary I would like to make (if I had gone to film school and actually had talent in this area). It was Justin Fatica who pissed me off, the documentary was great.

Justin Fatica is a bully. I hate bullies - even bullies for Jesus. I watched as he berated children, even simulating the crucifixion on unsuspecting participants. The yelling reminded me of boot camp - it was designed for the same purpose. Break them down so they could be molded into something else, like solders for Christ.

Justin Fatica is a nutball. I don't want him anyplace close to my children or family. If I were a parent witnessing his harassing tirades, I would punch this guy in the nose... twice. I don't care if he has big muscles built as a penance for his sinful masturbation. He still gets a punch in the nose.

In the 70s, when I was a "troubled teen", the tactics were more subtle, but no less insidious. My youth pastor would work us week after week on issue like masturbation, premarital sex, rock music, dancing, books, and even associating with non-Christian kids. It was enough to make me angry at the time. I did not need advice from these guys, few of us did. Fatica pounds the message home by yelling in the faces of his captive audience until he triggers the inevitable emotional breakdown. Once he cracks the shell, he dives in for more. His methods reminiscent of vaudeville, pro-wrestling, and military mind control all aimed and inflicting the maximum emotional distress on at risk children - night after night a church near you. Where are your kids?

Fatica has no credibility. I doubt he would have any credibility with the kids he preaches to if they knew of his silver spoon upbringing. take the 5,000 square foot home on a lake where his every need was taken care of. The "troubled" young Fatica was a spoiled brat at the end of his schoolyard influence with few prospects. Now the power of Jesus fills him - and he is utterly pathetic. If this is what his brand of religion is, I want no part of it.

I know a few people like Justin. They are ignoble, misguided and socially stunted. They embrace religion with a fervor not seen since the crusades. They focus on religion to the exclusion of all else. They ultimately fail at everything they touch except religion.

Justin Fatica is a scary man. I hereby christen him a nutball.

David Holbrooke deserves an award for his work. I don't know how it is possible to treat a subject like this fairly. My guess is that there was much worse footage left of on the cutting room floor. If you are reading David, may I suggest you choose James Dobson as your next subject?

Technorati tags: Movie Review, Reviews, Hard as Nails, Justin Fatica, Catabolism, David Holbrooke, nutballs

Prosperity Theology

I've come across this concept of the prosperity theology a few times recently. I do not understand why people fall under its spell.

Prosperity Theology is doctrine that prosperity, particularly financial prosperity, and success in business or personal life is external evidence of God's favor. This favor may be preordained, or granted in return for efficacious prayer or merit-making.

Televangelists preach a message telling participants that the more they give, the more God will reward them with riches. Benny Hinn is the worst of the lot, but there are many others. They tend to live a lavish lifestyle with expensive cars, homes, and other pleasures of the flesh. Their lifestyles tend to reflect that of a rock or movie star. Something smells fishy.

Congress is looking into these organizations. They think their non-profit status is questionable.

Congress is looking into the collection boxes of some of the nation's best-known televangelists.

Their tax-exempt ministries take in millions and now Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, is asking whether these churches really are non-profits.

Georgia megachurch pastor Creflo Dollar is one of the televangelists who was asked to provide financial information.

Source: Televangelist Defends Spending, Pastor Creflo Dollar Responds To Questions About Possible Financial Misconduct - CBS News

Watch the video linked the source article. In it you will see Pastor Creflo Dollar describe that he only has one Rolls-Royce, not two. Where is Christ in this lunacy? These people are clearly milking a system to their benefit. They are con men.

The fact that Republican Sen. Charles Grassley is leading the charge to clean-up these religious charlatans puzzles me. I am not used to a Republican doing anything that even remotely smells of challenging religion. I cannot see this going very far. People like James Dobson will object, and that will be the end of that.

Creflo Dollar has a private jet. He flies from Atlanta to New York each Saturday to preach at Madison Square Garden. He claims he needs the jet because no airline has a scheduled flight that meets his needs. The last time I checked, Atlanta was a hub city with departures for New Your every 20 minutes.

Creflo Dollar has a 2.5 million dollar apartment in New York so that he has a place to sleep each Saturday night. I guess he never heard of hotels. The millions of dollars he spends to support his lifestyle is unconscionable. Feed to poor, heal the sick, help addicts - do anything other that accumulate vast wealth on the backs of gullible believers.  

I do not believe in God. People like Dollar simply reinforce some of my reasons. I know Christians who are good people. They dedicated their lives to helping others. I know Atheists who do the same thing; they feed the hungry, they cloth the poor, they care for the less fortunate. People like Dollar dishonor  us all.

Technorati tags: prosperity theology, Creflo Dollar, youtube, fraud, deceit, heresy

Who is pulling the strings in the evangelical camp?

James Dobson told the evangelical world that Fred Thompson was unacceptable candidate last week. I am sure that a pronouncement of this magnitude 5 years ago would have resulted in Thompson running for cover. Dobson made the call and evangelicals said "so what". A propionate leader even openly questioned James Dobson's reasoning. Here are the words of Gary Bauer, former head of The Family Research Council.

I hope that we can, as a movement, be very wise about this, and not savage candidates that we may very well have to support in 2008 if they're running against Hillary Clinton," he told the OneNewsNow web site.

I think the one thing that almost every conservative Christian agrees about is that we cannot allow Hillary Clinton to be the next President of the United States," he added.

Source: Lifenews.com - Pro-Life Advocate Responds to James Dobson on Fred Thompson's Bid. By Steven Ertelt, (9.27.2007)

Bauer is a leader in the pro-life movement. A few years ago his words would have been considered heresy. Now they reflect the growing discontent with Dobson's hopeless 2008 election strategy. I feel a change coming.

Technorati tags: James Dobson, Gary Bauer, Jack Thompson, Evangelicals, 2008 Election, politics

Dobson's Scorched Earth policy

James Dobson seems single minded in his attempts to put forth a Republican candidate from the Christian Right that cannot win an election. His most recent victim - Fred Thompson.

Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, one of the nation's most politically influential evangelical Christians, says he won't support Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson. In a private e-mail obtained by The Associated Press, Dobson voiced doubts about the former Tennessee senator's position on gay marriage and his support for the 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform legislation. A spokesman for Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family says Dobson's comments were made as an individual and not as a representative of the nonprofit organization. A spokeswoman for the Thompson campaign says the campaign believes Thompson is the one conservative in the race who can defeat the Democratic nominee.

Source: MyFox Colorado: Dobson Won't Back Fred Thompson

So the main reason is Dobson pronounce Thompson unfit is that Thompson does not share the same vision on gay marriage. Since when does failing to support prohibitions on gay marriage make you less of a Christian? I don't understand it. What does gay marriage have to do with what Jesus taught or the New Testament or with how "right" one is? Grant gays the rights they deserve as citizens and then lets move on to ending the friggen war.

Dobson with hand the 2008 election to the Democrats. He will not survive the fallout.

Technorati tags: James Dobson, FOTF, Politics, Fred Thompson, 2008 Election, Religion, Evangelicals

On the reading list: God's Harvard

I have been waiting for this book since I first heard about it a few months back. Hanna Rosin spent a year and a half looking into the workings of Patrick Henry University, this is bound to be a fundie gold. Nina Easton pans Rosin's book in her NY Times book review. Like most books, I prefer to make up my own mind.

“God’s Harvard” opens with a promising flourish of Rosin’s wit. “Although they are unfailingly gracious, evangelicals are not so good at respecting professional boundaries,” she writes. “The first time someone tried to share the Gospel with me, I naïvely explained that I was Jewish and born in Israel, thank you. ... This was a big mistake. In certain parts of Christian America, admitting I was an Israeli-born Jew turned me into walking catnip.” Over breakfast once, an associate of the Christian activist James Dobson blurted, “When I look at you, I see the blood of our Savior coursing through your veins.” “Thank you,” I gulped. “More maple syrup?”

Hell, I'll buy the book for that quote alone.

Technorati tags: Book Reviews, Hanna Rosin, God's Harvard Nina Easton, Patrick Henry University