Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, the minister who presided over the recent marriage of President Bush’s daughter Jenna, has launched a pro-Barack Obama Web site sharply critical of conservative stalwart James Dobson.
Caldwell, leader of the largest Methodist congregation in the country, launched his “James Dobson Does Not Speak For Me” site a day after Dobson’s Focus on the Family radio program aired a statement charging that Obama distorted the Bible to fit “his own confused theology.”
The site urges readers to sign a statement declaring that Dobson does not represent them.
The statement reads in part:
“James Dobson doesn't speak for me.
“He doesn't speak for me when he uses religion as a wedge to divide.
“He doesn't speak for me when he speaks as the final arbiter on the meaning of the Bible…
“What does speak for me is David's psalm celebrating how good and pleasant it is when we come together in unity…
“These words speak for me. But when James Dobson attacks Barack Obama, James Dobson doesn't speak for me.”
Caldwell said in an interview: “I think it’s a crime and a shame that Senator Obama has had to explain the fact that he’s a Christian.
“Criticize his politics. Criticize his stance on whatever, but don’t question his faith. Never in the history of American politics has someone said that he is a Christian and someone came back to say, ‘No you’re not.’”
Caldwell, who oversees the 14,000-member Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, introduced George Bush at the 2000 Republican National Convention.
Although he is firmly behind Democrat Obama in the presidential race, he still considers Bush a friend and sees similarities between the President and Obama that may appeal to religious voters, The Washington Post reports.
“They are both loyal to their God,” he said. “They are very loyal to their country. They are very loyal to their wives and their families. They are great husbands and great dads. Both of them have a clear understanding of the role that the families play in the community.”
As Newsmax’s Insider Report recently disclosed, Caldwell is one of as many as 100 religious leaders who take part in a conference call every Friday morning and pray together for Obama.
"Typically, whoever is praying always prays for the senator and his wife," said Caldwell.
"For his safety, surety, soundness of mind, clarity of thought."
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