I had someone comment on my post about presidential character and James Dobson’s comments that we aren’t electing a pastor. He’s right in that regard. I guess my ultimate issue with the post is that is was written by someone professing to represent Christianity.
Dr. Dobson’s post essentially was saying that the end justifies the means. That, in order to keep his version of religion, he was willing to overlook everything wrong with the character of the current president that is far opposed to the faith he, Dr. Dobson, espouses. The letter was written with an email his wife received as inspiration. The following in blue is an excerpt from the letter
“‘This is not a junior high or high school popularity/personality contest. I’m not voting for the person—I’m voting for the platform!
I’m voting for the Second Amendment. I’m voting for the next Supreme Court justice. I’m voting for the electoral college. I’m voting for the Republic in which we live. I’m voting for the police and law and order. I’m voting for the military and the veterans who fought and died for this country. I’m voting for the flag that is often missing from public events. I’m voting for the right to speak my opinion and not be censored for it. I’m voting for secure borders. I’m voting for the right to praise God without fear. I’m voting for every unborn soul that is at risk of being aborted. I’m voting for freedom and the American dream. I’m voting for good and against evil. I’m not just voting for one person.
I’m voting for the future of my country!”
I couldn’t have said it better, although I want to add to the writer’s list. I’m also voting for candidates who will exercise sound leadership internationally. I’m voting for those who will support Israel. I’m voting for those who will protect children from leftist curricula. I’m voting for the nation’s fiscal integrity. I’m voting for parental rights. I’m voting for school choice and home education. I’m voting for freedom in the suburbs. I’m voting for Little Sisters of the Poor and other Christian organizations. I’m voting for racial unity. I am voting to support “In God we trust” and school prayer. I’m voting for freedom of conscience for physicians and other professionals. I am voting for marriage. I am voting for life in all its dimensions. I am voting against euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide. I’m voting for wisdom in handling the pandemic. I am voting for protection for the Church from oppressive politicians.”
First of all some of the points he makes presuming he is talking about President Trump is ridiculous. “Sound leadership internationally” for a guy that sucks up to dictators and alienates our allies. “Wisdom in handling the pandemic” for a man who understood early how dangerous it was and kept it under the carpet and now continues to downplay it when thousands of people have died and thousands continue to get sick even today. “Racial unity” – you’ve got to be kidding!! President Trump has done everything to promote continuing racial divide. Boggles my mind that Dr. Dobson thinks these things are exemplified by Donald Trump.
Some of the things Dr. Dobson promotes as his version of Christian values are not consistent with my view of what Jesus represents. Dr. Dobson says he wants racial unity and then says he wants to protect marriage – an intentional statement to oppress the rights of LGBTQ people. The focus on money and where kids go to school and the second amendment are not issues that should matter for people who represent Jesus to the world. In all honesty this letter to me represents the 2020 version of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Dr. Dobson and other evangelicals have framed their version of Christianity and the power they wield with it and are willing to do what it takes to maintain it – including backing a person who only serves himself, mocks and degrades people, and in no way represents Jesus to the world. It makes me wonder how they would react to Jesus if he came back today and challenged their “platform”. Would they recognize him and embrace him or destroy him for the sake of their “Christianity”?
This shouldn’t be interpreted to say that Joe Biden is of perfect moral character. No one is as we are all sinners. While the commentator on my original post was right that we are not electing a pastor, to have someone known to represent Christianity tell people to ignore the character of a person who represent 1/3 of our government structure for the “platform” disgusts me in ways I cannot even begin to express.
Discovering Grace 