Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 05-03-2002, 05:40 PM

This (scary) article seems apropos here:

<a href="http://www.prospect.org/print-friendly/print/V13/9/easton-n.html" target="_blank">Who needs the Christian Coalition when you've got the the White House? The religious right's covert crusade</a>

Quote:

Arguably the most influential of today's Christian-right activists is James Dobson, who reaches an estimated 7.5 million listeners a week with his Colorado-based "Focus on the Family" radio show. Dobson specializes in dispensing family advice. But like Reed, he understands that the Christian right runs on emotional energy, especially anger. And he is adept at transforming that anger into politics.

When Bush names his first Supreme Court nominee, he'd better know where Dobson stands. "If Pat Robertson wages a protest, it doesn't light up the congressional switchboard. The only person taking Pat Robertson seriously is Tim Russert," said Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. But Dobson, Cromartie says, can make real trouble for lawmakers who cross his agenda.

BibleBelted · 05-04-2002, 07:54 AM

Toto originally posted:

Quote:

"If Pat Robertson wages a protest, it doesn't light up the congressional switchboard. The only person taking Pat Robertson seriously is Tim Russert," said Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. But Dobson, Cromartie says, can make real trouble for lawmakers who cross his agenda.

This tends to confirm what I said in my earlier posts. Robertson (and Falwell) have already lost most of their clout. IMO, if Dobson is gaining prestige among theists, it is at the expense of Pat & Jerry.

Dobson maintains his relevance, so far, because he is (1) more reasonable* in demeanor and message than P&J and (2) he is not as over-exposed as they are. I see the move of support from the xian coalition to the Focus on the Family group as one step in the right direction. How many steps are required to reach the right location, I can't say.

Still, Dobson's appeal is almost entirely based on his opposition to abortion, which many people have serious reservations about, particularly as it is framed by ardent pro-lifers.

*I am not saying Dobson is not a fundamentalist, just that contrasted with Pat Robertson he is a flaming liberal. No faith healing, no personal messages from god. At least not to my knowledge.

Toto · 05-04-2002, 10:18 AM

Dobson definitely flies below the radar compared to Falwell. That makes him even more dangerous. Robertson and Falwell may look like buffoons, but Dobson is the real enemy of the secular society that we need to keep track of.

some background.

<a href="http://www.elroy.net/ehr/focus.html" target="_blank">Why Focus On The Family is of the Devil</a>

<a href="http://www.qrd.org/QRD/www/RRR/rrrpage.html" target="_blank">Religious Right Watch</a> (not always up to date).

<a href="http://apocalypse.berkshire.net/~ifas/fw/9608/dobson.html" target="_blank">The World of James Dobson</a>

BibleBelted · 05-06-2002, 07:36 AM

Thanks for the links, Toto.

I've only skimmed them, but must admit Dobson is creepier than I thought.

GaryP · 05-12-2002, 09:08 AM

I've always wondered that if god is omnipotent, wouldn't he make sure that his most popular spokespeople would be credible and above reproach?

Why does he send us jerks like these? Didn't he know before we were born that their behavior would sour millions of us who might otherwise have been more open to the "gospel"?

Now we find even the most honorable Billy Graham is an anti-semite.

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05-04-2002, 10:18 AM	#43
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Dobson definitely flies below the radar compared to Falwell. That makes him even more dangerous. Robertson and Falwell may look like buffoons, but Dobson is the real enemy of the secular society that we need to keep track of. some background. <a href="http://www.elroy.net/ehr/focus.html" target="_blank">Why Focus On The Family is of the Devil</a> <a href="http://www.qrd.org/QRD/www/RRR/rrrpage.html" target="_blank">Religious Right Watch</a> (not always up to date). <a href="http://apocalypse.berkshire.net/~ifas/fw/9608/dobson.html" target="_blank">The World of James Dobson</a>

05-06-2002, 07:36 AM	#44
BibleBelted Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Oklahoma, USA Posts: 891	Thanks for the links, Toto. I've only skimmed them, but must admit Dobson is creepier than I thought.

05-12-2002, 09:08 AM	#45
GaryP Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Lancaster, OH Posts: 1,792	I've always wondered that if god is omnipotent, wouldn't he make sure that his most popular spokespeople would be credible and above reproach? Why does he send us jerks like these? Didn't he know before we were born that their behavior would sour millions of us who might otherwise have been more open to the "gospel"? Now we find even the most honorable Billy Graham is an anti-semite.

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