Pastor takes issue with Dobson's Obama comments (OneNewsNow.com)

Pastor takes issue with Dobson's Obama comments

Jim Brown - OneNewsNow - 6/26/2008 7:45:00 AM

A well-known black clergyman who supports Barack Obama says evangelical Christian leader Dr. James Dobson displayed a "holier than thou" attitude and "poisoned the waters" while assailing the presidential candidate's theological views.

During Tuesday's Focus on the Family radio show, Dobson accused Obama of "deliberately distorting the traditional understanding of the Bible to fit his own worldview." The Illinois senator and his supporters have been returning fire ever since. (See earlier stories)

Methodist pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell of Houston, who performed the benediction at both of President Bush’s inaugurations, has launched the website JamesDobsonDoesntSpeakForMe.com. He says although Dobson has been a "clear and clarion voice bringing attention to the spiritual and social value of the family," the pro-family leader was out of line in his criticism of Obama's interpretation of scripture and the Constitution.

"One of the beauties of the Christian faith is that we view the presence and power of God differently based on our experience, based on our revelation, based on our reason," Caldwell contends. "And I think we run a big risk when we attempt to make everybody's interpretation of the scripture and view of God line up with ours exclusively ...."

Kirbyjon Caldwell And some people, Caldwell continues, take that a step further when they say, "okay, just because your view does not line up with my view means that I'm a bigger or better Christian."

Caldwell also claims an "inaccurate and unfair" movement is afoot to "demonize" the presumptive Democratic presidential candidate. The Texas pastor claims 12 to 15 percent of Americans still believe Obama is a Muslim, and that "talking heads" on television are still reporting he supports homosexual "marriage."

"He is not a Muslim," Caldwell states emphatically. "He does not support same-sex marriage. So at the end of the day, let's just put the facts on the table and let the American public choose and vote as they are so led."

The Methodist pastor says Obama made a conscientious decision to become a Christian, even though he was not raised in a Christian home. In addition, Caldwell argues Obama is "pro-jobs, pro-education and pro-healthcare, but not pro-abortion." According to Caldwell, Obama "supports a woman's right to make a decision," but would implement policies to reduce abortions.

Caldwell adds that his attempts to reach Dr. Dobson by phone on Wednesday were unsuccessful.