Well we know what James Dobson stands for. He's spent his entire life trying to help parents raise their children, and to help couples stay together. He's led efforts to help seniors, teenagers, and children. He founded the Family Research Council, a leading thinktank for the conservative movement. And he's helped people overcome their addictions. Isn't that funny, an organization concerned about addictions, is also concerned about increasing liquor sales. Who would have suspected it? Say jamey what are you for?
Do we really know what James Dobson stands for? He says to focus on the family, but he tends to focus on politics. I'll tell you what I hear Dobson standing AGAINST: pornography, homosexuality, gambling, "greedy corporations," hard liquor ads, the Simpsons, and many other things.
If you want to know what I stand for, visit my websites at www.EnjoyingGod.org and take a look.
Certainly, if one is to be consistent, a person can't stand for something without standing against its opposite. But Christians tend to spend so much time coming against things that most cannot say what we are for. People know "good Christians" don't drink, smoke, chew, dance, or cuss....but do they know what we DO? And do they know what we believe?
Jamey
Thanks for responding. However I am a little troubled. You started by saying that people have an impression that Christians are just against things, but not for anything.
It is one thing for people to think that, it is quite another for it to be true. Our first concern is not what people think of us, but being faithful to do God's Will. Which does includes both encourage people to do good Godly things, as well as encouraging them to avoid evil worldly things.
With Dobson, we have a man who has had great success helping people. His ministry has encourage people to be good parents, spouses, and citizens. It seems that you are reluctant to give Dobson credit for what he has done. Dobson established a counseling ministry which has helped millions of people all over the world. Don't you consider helping people find God's will, be better parents and spouses, being for something?
You mention that Dobson tends to focus on politics. Keep in mind that Dobson has a counseling ministry helping people with life issues. With the Gov't controling and regulating more and more of our lives, they are becoming a factor that must be addressed. For example if you want to raise Godly children then you will have to deal with the Gov't sex education in your child's school. As Gov't intrudes into our lives, then we have a need to know how to respond. You shouldn't blame dobson for address the need. Secondly is Dobson too focused on politics? I went to Dobson's website. It lists 18 bestselling books that Dobson has written. Not one is political. They are about life issues, i.e. being a good parent or spouse, trusting God. If Dobson was too political wouldn't most of those books be about politics? I then went to oneplace.com to see what the show topics were for the past month. Of the 20 shows listed maybe 4 were political. Of those 4, 2 were a discussion of western culture with Buchanan, 1 was on how Christians need to engage the culture. And one didn't say what it was about. The other shows dealt with religious topics, or emotional ones i.e. stress. (For the record I consider homosexuality a religious topic. although if we ignore the politics, teaching the Biblical view of homosexuality might soon be considered a hate crime.)
You say that if we are against something then we are for the opposite. You alsosay that you hear Dobson standing against pornography and homosexuality.(as if that was a bad thing). So if Dobson is against the abuse of Sex. Then doesn't it follow that Dobson is for good sex? And if you consider his books on marriage, Couldn't it mean that Dobson is for Great Sex?
But Christians tend to spend so much time coming against things that most cannot say what we are for. People know "good Christians" don't drink, smoke, chew, dance, or cuss....but do they know what we DO? And do they know what we believe?
Personally I don't see that at all. I think the emphasis today is too much on feeling good(i.e. felt needs). Sermons on overcoming the burden of life. I think that it is extremely rare to hear a sermon on the evils of gambling, or why people shouldn't smoke. Likewise it is becoming rare to hear sermons on serious doctrine.
I'll let you have the last word on this topic. I never intended to give it this much attention. Best Wishes.