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Dobson's claims and nonsensical comparisons are welcome at Fox Nation

May 08, 2009 1:39 pm ET

SUMMARY: The Fox Nation featured the headline, "Sports Teams Welcome at WH, but Celebrating Prayer Ignored," which adopts James Dobson's recent criticisms of President Obama.

19 Comments

A May 8 headline on FoxNation.com stated: "Sports Teams Welcome at WH, but Celebrating Prayer Ignored," which adopts Focus on the Family founder James Dobson's recent criticisms of President Obama. Indeed, the CNSNews.com article linked by The Fox Nation reported, " 'When a professional baseball team wins the World Series, or when the Super Bowl is played, or when college teams win the national championship, they're invited to the White House to celebrate,' Dobson said at a Capitol Hill news conference. 'That's important, apparently. But celebrating prayer, which is our heritage, is ignored.' "

In promoting The Fox Nation, Fox News has run advertisements telling viewers that "[i]t's time to say 'no' to biased media and 'yes' to fair play and free speech." Media Matters for America has documented numerous examples that contradict this claim.

From the May 8 CNSNews.com article, titled, "Dobson: Super Bowl Teams Welcome at White House, but 'Celebrating Prayer is Ignored' ":

Evangelical leader Dr. James Dobson said President Obama's snub of Thursday's National Day of Prayer left Christians "disappointed" -- and a bit puzzled.

"When a professional baseball team wins the World Series, or when the Super Bowl is played, or when college teams win the national championship, they're invited to the White House to celebrate," Dobson said at a Capitol Hill news conference. "That's important, apparently. But celebrating prayer, which is our heritage, is ignored."

The founder and chairman emeritus of the Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family said evangelicals were "disappointed; not angry" that for the first time since 1993, the White House did not even send a representative of the Cabinet to this year's National Day of Prayer event, which was held Thursday in the caucus room of the Cannon House Office Building.

— J.H.
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    • Author by westla (May 08, 2009 1:52 pm ET)
      6  
      As a Christian, I would like please ask Dr. Dobson to refrain from such statements as this; "Dr. James Dobson said President Obama's snub of Thursday's National Day of Prayer left Christians "disappointed" -- and a bit puzzled"

      He may speak for himself and those that give him explicit permission to speak for them, but he does not speak for me, and when he says "Christians", he does so without my permission. So Dr. Dobson, stick to your brand of politically driven Christianity, and leave the rest of us Christians to practice our faith free of your inclination to speak for us, because you do not. For I don't share your view to use your "faith" as a club in which to bash those you don't like politically, a shameful practice. I want no part of it, thank you.
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      • Author by SDL (May 08, 2009 2:08 pm ET)
        2  
        I'm an atheistic Jew married to a very lapsed Catholic...where does that put me in Dobson's eyes?

        Guess Dobson had no problems when Dubya had teams visiting the White House...
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        • Author by NiceguyEddie (May 08, 2009 3:30 pm ET)
          1  
          I'm an atheistic Jew married to a very lapsed Catholic...where does that put me in Dobson's eyes?

          On the fast track to hell. But then that's ANYONE who doesn't belong to his church and/or political movement or give money to either.
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    • Author by mk3872 (May 08, 2009 1:59 pm ET)
      4  
      Interesting. As an American, I would say Thomas Paine or Benjamin Franlkin represent my heritage, not prayer.
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    • Author by JimInTheBay (May 08, 2009 2:19 pm ET)
      6  
      " mankind's greatest vanity is to presume to know the will of god" albert einstein
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    • Author by JimInTheBay (May 08, 2009 2:20 pm ET)
      3 2
      so in other words rev. dobson doesnt appreciate the fact that president obama doesnt do his wishful thinking out loud.
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      • Author by Kyle_Broflovski (May 08, 2009 2:56 pm ET)
        5  
        In other words, how DARE President Obama try to uphold the constitution. I am OUTRAGED!!!!!
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    • Author by terrapin53 (May 08, 2009 2:54 pm ET)
      5  
      These are the same Christians that believe it is ok to torture.
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    • Author by seeryer (May 08, 2009 4:28 pm ET)
         
      Fox Nation should be named Redneck Nation. I love how they ask how come JG doesn't get banned from Britain. Now Fox Nation is throwing in with Mike Savage. Maybe they could call the site Weiner Nation.
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    • Author by nativeofsf (May 08, 2009 4:31 pm ET)
      1  
      For what it's worth, Dr.[sic] Dobson needs to get stoned...in the biblical sense.
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    • Author by sdlnkicker4551 (May 08, 2009 5:11 pm ET)
         
      Dobson's Christians have been disappointed from the time W left the White House. Thank God Christians like Dobson are no longer running around the Oval Office. By the way, what version of the Bible does he read? I thought there were over 20 versions of the book. Who decides which one to read?
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    • Author by roninkannushi1711 (May 09, 2009 3:18 am ET)
         
      Mr. Dobson is, so last century. I support the National Anthem being played before sporting events. Religion is a fight for power, twisting words for self empowerment. I think democracy would be a good idea, this century. We are free to speak, assemble, and pray, if we wish to do so, in our own place. Still, it has been your side vs. my side. How about, we focus on an objective? We can try something simple, The Constitution. Fair? Familiar to you and me. Separation of Church and State. History: Jesus said to render on to Ceaser, that which is Ceaser's. That effectively stops prayer at public functions vs. one nation under God. We are a Nation. Different religions attend sporting events. The original framers of the Constitution, did not specifically express it. It was and still is understood to be an extension of Christian values, by me. Hypocrites do both, not one. Historically religion and politics have been a bad mix.
      Study any society. We are the future. Have we learned, from the past? It is hard to forget, when always reminded.
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    • Author by dsdnburg112 (May 09, 2009 1:18 pm ET)
         
      Dr. Dobson knows that the Focus on the Family, the Morman Church and the Catholic Chuch are human inventions whose goal is to terrify and enslave vast populations for the monopolizing of power and profit. King Solomon refers to them as OPPRESSORS in the Book of Ecclesiates, Chapter Four. God help them on judgment day!
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    • Author by unsui (May 09, 2009 2:55 pm ET)
         
      "...but celebrating prayer, which is our heritage, is ignored."
      Anyone who makes this statement can be safely ignored.
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    • Author by jcalton (May 11, 2009 11:01 am ET)
         
      Requiring people to come to a national day of prayer is in direct contradiction to the teachings of the bible (i.e., a sin). The bible is silent on national championships.

      And when you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Truly I say to you, They have their reward.
      Matthew 6:5
      But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.
      Matthew 6:6

      I'm an atheist. I hate evangelicals. They are the new Romans/Pharisees trying to make themselves political leaders on their golden throne of moral (read: secular) law, and slaves of all the non-believers. They have more in common with Pharaoh (or the anti-christ) than with the Jesus they believe in. Apply WWJD (or what did he specifically SAY to do) to any of their actions, words, or doctrines and they fail.
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