Conservative Christians...do you have the ability to think for yourselves?

Question

I apologize if that seems an insult, but it is not meant to be one. The following article disturbs me:

http://www.ktvu.com/news/14269523/detail.html?treets=fran&tid=2656403492813&tml=fran_12pm&tmi=fran_12pm_1_02000310042007&ts=H

Apparently, Dobson is calling for all Conservative Christians to not to vote Democrat or Republican in the next election because neither party has a candidate that will take a pledge to protect "the sanctity of life." Instead, he asks everyone to vote for WHATEVER minor party candidate, as long as that person will take the pledge to protect life.

Does not qualification to perform the job os Leader of the Free world mean anything to you? Is it more important to end abortion rights in America than it is to have a President who has experience in foreign affairs?

How will you vote? For who you are instructed to vote for, or for who is most qualified?

Answer 1

Yes, I've been following this issue carefully. Unfortunately, the story you read contains an error in the very first paragraph:

"Focus on the Family leader James Dobson has made it official: his organization will not support any front-runner in the Republican race for the party's presidential nomination unless that man takes a vow supporting "the sanctity of life." "

IRS tax laws prohibit Churches or Church organizations from endorsing ANY candidate for ANY public office. (Apparently, the IRS has never heard of the First Amendment, but that's beside the point.) So the fact that Dr. Dobson will not endorse any candidate isn't surprising. Focus on the Family does have a non-church-funded, grassroots organization that publicizes events, laws and issues that directly affect Evangelical Christians, of which I am one. So it would have been more honest and accurate for the article to state that THAT organization, for which Dr. Dobson doesn't speak, will not endorse any candidates.

It should be noted here that Focus on the Family and Dr. Dobson have recently been cleared of federal charges brought by the IRS during the last election that FotF violated this IRS rule. So the poor man is damned if he does speak and damned if he doesn't speak!

So-crates, I would liken this situation to any other type of organization that endorses specific lifestyles or promotes equal rights. For example, the NAACP has publicly spoken about Barak Obama. About a month ago, a nationally known gay rights organization held a televised debate between the candidates regarding gay rights issues. NOW has also spoken quite candidly about Hillary Clinton. No one has accused any members of these organizations of not being able to think for themselves; but this is a routine accusation against Christians. Folks in this country may not agree with our anti-abortion stance, but we have a right to speak to others who hold similar beliefs without being accused of an inability to think for ourselves.

So how will I vote? I truly don't know yet; I haven't made up my mind. I'll have to ask my pastor (JUST KIDDING!)

(This has been your 'lil bit 'o fundie for the day. Thank you for listening and have a great weekend.)

Answer 2

Certainly. Just cause the Supreme Court declares something Constitutional, that doesn't make it correct. After all, the Supreme Court had at one time declared Separate, but Equal to be Constitutional. And, as Justice Roberts pointedly wrote, the decision was solely about the Constitutionality of ObamaCare, not whether it was a good idea or not. Bad ideas should always be gotten rid of, Constitutional or not.

Answer 3

I came to a similar conclusion before I heard Dobson say anything about it, so apparently I do have the ability to think for myself. We have similar beliefs and came to similar conclusions. Without Dobson's help I voted for neither Schwarzenegger, Davis nor Bustamante (though I'll admit to not crying when arnie beat the other two out) as CA gov. I vote for whomever I feel would be good for the job. I have rarely voted for "the lesser of two evils" (i.e. Jerry Brown for Mayor of Oakland after his opponent scared me during a radio debate) and don't see that happening in 2008.

Answer 4

I think your being unfair to Christians, they as a block are not historically prone to voting together, unlike some southern states who have consistently voted democratic. Which makes our current incombants election even more suspicious, and while we are led to think thats 'water under the brdge', hstory will call this the beginning of the end of a free society. Partly because of the loyalty shown for business over the ndividuals rights. However anybody votes, if they vote to gain points with a boss or to not vote for the loser, our system is eatng itself up and needs to change, desperately, if we are to be know as a fair nation.

Answer 5

abortion is killing someone who is at your mercy...someone who is TOTALLY defenseless to even make a choice. Killing someone in war is defending our freedom and protecting others. Let's not confuse the two. As for Dr. Dobson, he is using his freedom of speech that we all enjoy in this country. I am a conservative Christian and I strongly disagree with "Jim". I will vote for who I think will do the best job, and I know they won't do everything I want, but then again, who would?? James Dobson can really get on my nerves even as a Christian. Also, keep in mind that you cannot believe all that you read.....no matter who wrote it, or what paper it shows up in....it's a shame, but a fact.

Answer 6

USA! USA!

Now that I'm done cheering, I've never really liked the two party system. Not enough compromise (if nobody had a majority it would force compromise). Most of my votes go to third party candidates anyway.

I'll protect "the sanctity of life." (I won't outlaw abortion though.) Will they vote for me?

Edit: Nice answer Loco C. It really addresses the question.

Answer 7

I don't know what you mean "conservative"
I am a non denominational christian. I am my own person.
I read for myself and I believe what I want to believe. I do not have a certain pastor. I hear preaching at different churches.
I don't assemble at one. I believe I need to go to church and listen to what will be preached on, it keeps me strong.
Plus God might have something he wants me to hear.
I don't answer to nobody, but God. I do what I want.
Sometimes I make the wrong choices, but God is forgiving and hopefully he can forgive me when I am wrong.
Do I expect him to? No. I am no where near goody tissues.
I believe I am wrong and living in sin everyday, I know I am.
I am ashamed, believe me, but I am me.
I don't always go by what I think is right...
I don't understand. If you are atheist why are you so concerned with Christians?
I think abortion is wrong, but I believe we are in a free country
and it should be up to the mother of the child.
I also believe that no man should be able to make this decision. That is just the man bashing part of me.

Answer 8

Call me crazy, but I actually took this article as upbeat. Look at it this way: the religious fundamentalists who want this country to follow the tenants of a Christian government and vote on small issues like gay rights or abortion will no longer participate in any meaningful way in the upcoming election.

Maybe I'm being ridiculously optimistic, as I'm not a fan of either party at the moment, but I see this article as a good sign. We could be headed back to a more secular, tolerant government that makes laws based on --gasp-- equal treatment and limited intrusion into people's lives.

Answer 9

Ya can't tell me there aren't ppl who vote strictly party lines that are athiest, can you? lol.... bustin a gut over here at this. The knife cuts both ways. I'm a little on the outside and think it's important to vote for the person you most likely to represent your views on character, jobs, economy and foreign affairs. I don't call that throwing your vote away, I call it voting my conscience. Whether they win or lose, is not up to me, except for my one solitary vote.

Answer 10

No. Please think for me. Thank you. Seriously, a presidential candidate's stance on abortion is not of interest to me, pro or con. There are far more important issues for a President to be able to address.

But in NJ state and local elections, I vote against the incumbents, no matter what party they belong to. Our local politicians have raised corruption to an art form.