Obama and Dobson Ignite Readers

Barack Obama and his skirmish with Dr. James Dobson caught the attention of many of our readers this week. Here are just a few comments of the hundreds we received:



Rev. Chris from California says, It is disingenuous of Dr Dobson to claim that Obama misuses scripture, and disparages the use of Leviticus’ dietary prohibitions which have been set aside by the New Testament, and yet, the same holiness code that discusses keeping dietary restrictions is given eternal validity when it talks about certain homosexual behavior. Jesus did not set aside the homosexual provisions; indeed, he did not discuss homosexuality at all; Paul is the premiere setter-aside of the dietary laws. So, we are left with some verses having continuing validity while the next verse is no longer relevant? Seems like that sort of cut and paste approach to scripture is part of Dr Dobson's problems. Perhaps if he had a bible in paragraphs, he would understand that cut and paste interpretation doesn't work. The bible is a whole, and the principles of interpretation demand that one takes the context seriously.




Iris in Oklahoma wrote, Bark’s present strategy of courting the vote of evangelicals by telling them how much he agrees with them is ridiculous. Whenever he will actually vote in Congress, he is very liberal, and is for abortion, homosexual marriages, and is anti-Semitic. How can so many pastors and other active Christians feel he will lead us morally? He says he did not go to a Muslim school yet in a book he wrote 10 years or so ago he says that he attended Muslim school for two years and studied the Koran and also went to Catholic school. Come on, he is lying to us and is not to be trusted.



Bruce from Texas has some questions as well, in the article on Senator Obama, mention is made that the bible states that eating shellfish is an abomination. The response is that Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament are not consistent with that. Since Jesus was a 100% observant Jew until the day he died and he said to follow the Jewish Law fully to his followers until the day he died, which they continued to do for the next 70 years, how could his “teachings”, as the Reverend Dobson stated, be different in the New Testament. His teachings never swayed from 100% observance of the 613 Commandments in the Torah, one of which is observance of the Dietary Laws.

This is confusing. An explanation would be helpful.



EDITOR: Bruce, we will get some expert opinion on this matter, look for an article next week!



Also on the Obama, Judy from Oklahoma writes: The Obama will search for a permanent church to attend as a family, although Obama said he would not likely settle on one until next year. I find this statement scary sense he won't be deciding on a church until after the election is held. I suppose he figures once in office he can do as he well pleases. My concern is what kind of church he will join. Will it be an ordinary church denomination of America or will it be one of Islamic and Muslim content?





The autistic child banned from church in Minnesota also drew reactions from readers:




Laura in St. Louis has an interesting remark: What is the legal question in this situation? Is it concerning a religious entity’s right of association vs. a handicapped person's protection against discrimination?

Maybe the court shouldn't have granted the church's order of protection, but since it did...I would throw that lady's butt in jail for violating a court order.

I thought church was about being in communion (agreement) with other members in the worship of God. And I don't understand why she would insist on forcing her family, in addition to her handicapped son, to be in the middle of a situation where they are not welcome. Even in a small town, I would think that there are other churches that would welcome them with open arms. I'm sure my Lutheran Church-MO Synod one would.


EDITOR: Laura, I am confused, would you welcome this family in your church or visit the mother in jail?

CR Mailbag- Readers Question Obama's Secret Religious Leader Meeting

The CR Mailbag is full of explosive comments about Sen. Barack Obama and his closed door meetings with a collection of religious leaders including Franklin Graham and TD Jakes. Here is a just a small sampling of the thousands of emails we received:

M.A Goode goes right after TD Jakes and his support of Obama:

This meeting to me was a JOKE -- 1st of all, why was it secret & exclusive? I have lost all respect for TD Jakes & his so called ministry. The fact that he would support a man like Obama tells me all I need to know about him, that he is your typical black racist Democrat, politically speaking. Obama is a very deceptive man and is only sorry when he gets caught at something that would interfere with his political ambitions. His voting record and the people he associates with tells me all I need to know about him. Hello...he is not an honest and forth-right person.

These black religious leaders that call themselves Christians are obviously still imprisoned & imbittered in the slavery mentality from over 200 years ago -- how sad, and what's really unfortunate & destructive is that they are spewing that venom indirectly & some directly to their congregations. It's very divisive!!!

I would have no problem voting for a black man , but NOT someone like Obama!!! He is a Liberal Progressive who is a Wolf in Sheep's clothing! Voting for a man simply because he is black and winking at his sins and all his discrepancies is as about as Racist as you can get!!


Marge was short and simple:I for one, would like to know his responses. How can the lay person know the answers to these serious questions of today, if they are kept secret.

- Marge




In your article Christian Leaders Meet Privately with Obama dated June 11, 2008, I read all the statements that the Christian representatives made to Obama, but nothing about Obama’s responses. Such as, Franklin Graham’s question as to whether or not Jesus is the way to God… that is a great question, but what good does it do us to know he asked it, without knowing Obama’s response? What was the purpose of the meeting? Why is it that we can never talk about what Obama says or does? On the surface, this article gives the appearance of two things: First, that Christians are taking a stand on this election, and secondly, to the casual reader, that Obama wants to appeal to Christian leaders. In my opinion, both are wrong. Why do our leaders meet with someone like Obama in a “secret” or “private” meeting when they are obviously NOT going to tell us how Obama feels about these issues?? That’s not taking a stance. Why was this meeting so “secret”? Is he afraid that his answers might be made public? That is not an appeal to Christians.

We can’t discuss ANYTHING about Obama, and yet he could very well be the next leader of our nation! Why does this not alarm us?

Sincerely,

Jeff
Hallsville, Texas



What the man believe? Does he believe Christ is the Way, Truth and the life? If not…….he is not a Christian.

What does he believe? Why no answers. Who is he?


J. Carmichael



Editor: I agree with many of your opinions. I question the Christian leaders for being so tight-lipped about the deatails of the meeting. If Sen. Obama is indeed, reaching out to the Christian community, I doubt that closed-door meetings are the answer.

Reader Mail Blasts Father Pfleger

Father Pfleger and his antics continue to draw comments from Church Report Readers, here are just a few of the hundreds we received:

I was always under the impression that Pastors, Preachers, men of the Cloth….should be preaching The “Love of Christ”, however, in Wright and Fleger’s case, they preach hatred. I wonder what Jesus would do if he was in that church when they preached their sermons, which weren’t sermons at all.

Judith



Thank goodness this priest was removed---someone woke up to the fact something should be done about
priests that act in an unchristian way. Bravo



I am pleased he has had a painful week, he does not deserve to stand in any pulpit of any Christian church and spew the hate, bias and ridicule that harms the image of Jesus Christ and his teachings. Since he has been sanctioned many times by the Bishop, why is he not dismissed for his hypocrisy? Obama waited too late to leave this sick congregation and its many hateful leaders. I want a president who will represent all Americans, no matter what race, ethnicity, religion or party bias. Too bad Obama has lost credibility and integrity with me and many other voters.

Sandra from Texas



This man is no man of God!!!! Jesus taught love and nothing has come out of this man's MOUTH BUT HATE,Wright's or anyone that is connected with that church seems to follow the same pattern or should I say that Wright led the other's to follow him..The church it self seems to do nothing but down grade anyone that isn't black,especially whites.

T Fuller, Charleston, South Carolina


Editor: I have been outspoken for a long time about my thoughts on Rev, Pfleger, dating back to last summer when he called for the “snuffing” of a gunshop owner in Chicago. I am glad the Catholic church finally took this opportunity to silence this man.



One reader objected to a recent column from Harry Jackson, a long time Church Report columnist. The article title, “Foreplay or Rough Sex with Evangelicals”. The article focused on the various gay groups forcing their agendas on churches.


Mark wrote: “I greatly object to the headline “Foreplay or rough sex.” Crude language is not “cute.” I expected better from you.

Editor: Mark (last name withheld), I agree. I don’t like the title either, but I won’t disrespect an author and re-title his or her work. I also object a lot more strongly to the gay agenda pushing in on Christian values and there is no greater example of this than the rifts in so many mainline churches as they continue to struggle with this issue.



Remember, if you have reader comments, please send them to crdaily@thechurchreport.com, please include your name and town.