By Colter Hettich, Features Editor
In a statement released to “The Laura Ingraham Show” today, Dr. James Dobson said that if Sen. Hillary Clinton or Sen. Barack Obama wins the Democratic nomination and John McCain wins the Republican ticket, he will not vote.
“If these are the nominees in November, I simply will not cast a ballot for president for the first time in my life,” Dobson wrote.
I’m no patriot, and you most likely will not catch me sporting the red, white and blue. But for the life of me, I cannot think of a single reason to not vote. I especially cannot understand the irresponsibility of one of the most renowned Christian leaders in the U.S. to publicly announce his justification for not voting.
Dobson made it clear in his statement that he was merely expressing his personal views, not the views of “the organization with which [he] is affiliated.” I do not stand in judgment of Dr. Dobson, nor his personal convictions. I do hold him accountable for words.
Were Dobson a maniacal, revival preacher or a washed-up writer, I would have already forgotten his comments; but Dobson’s influence far outweighs that of a street-corner preacher.
He is the founder and chairman of Focus on the Family, a non-profit organization that produces his syndicated radio programs. These programs, according to focusonthefamily.com, are “heard on over 3,000 radio facilities in North America and in 27 languages in approximately 4,130 additional facilities in over 160 other countries. His commentaries are heard by way of radio by more than 220 million people every day, and he is seen daily on approximately 60 television stations in the U.S.”
His background in education, including a doctorate in child development from the University of Southern California, only boosts his prestige.
I have lived in Abilene my entire life and have spent a significant portion of those Sundays and Wednesday nights in church. I have seen Dobson’s influence first-hand. I have seen how some conservative Christians religiously read his literature and listen to his radio programs.
It scares me to think that statistically at least 220 million people have heard a man who represents Christianity say that if his first and second choices for president didn’t make the nomination – Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney – that he feels justified in not voting.
Dr. Dobson should seriously consider his strong influence and role as a public leader of Christians in the U.S. before releasing any more statements like this one.
Millions have given their lives so that we might have a voice, even if it is a tiny one. Voting is one of the most fundamental duties and rights of the American citizen. No one should forfeit that right – not even once.
