James Dobson's October Surprise - Duh - Instructs Right-wingers to Vote for Hate AmendmentWell James Dobson came to Nashville and some of us heathens are still living. The local paper provides a summary of the Republican Party's famed First Christian's voting instructions.
The paper also features news from the radical non-hating Christians in the area. I'm hoping for more photos/news of the protest, if you have any, send them on.
Snippets from The Tennessean:
Dobson told the approximately 3,000 people assembled at Two Rivers Baptist Church not to count out the conservative vote just yet — especially in Tennessee where a ballot initiative defining marriage as a one man-one woman union is an issue of key importance to Christian conservative voters.
"We cannot afford to sit this one out, as some people are thinking of doing," Dobson said. "There is corruption in government. What Mark Foley did was unconscionable … He's gone. But now that he's gone, (the scandal) is still with us. They are using that to suppress value voters, so value voters will stay home and say 'a pox on both your houses. We're staying home.' We cannot afford to do that."
Meanwhile, at another Baptist church across town, other Christians gathered to oppose the proposed constitutional amendment before voters Nov. 7. Organizers used it as an opportunity to criticize and question the strength of Christian conservative voters.
More than 300 people came to the "Stand for all Families" event sponsored by the Vote No on 1 campaign and held on the lawn of the Glendale Baptist Church. Organizers hoped the event, which included speeches from local faith leaders and varied types of families, would counteract the message of Dobson's visit.
The Rev. Steven Baines of People for the American Way spoke of his Baptist heritage and his belief that "real Baptists believe in the separation of church and state."
"Real Baptists know that no one voice can claim the monopoly for God in America," Baines said. "I think our spiritual Creator would weep to know that across town, there are some preaching discrimination in the name of God."
This election season could be a breakout year for Christians who don't identify with the powerful Christian right, said state Sen. Roy Herron, D-Dresden.
"I do think this is different," said Herron, co-chairman of a new national organization of Democratic leaders and its Web site, www.FaithfulDemocrats.com.
"Christians are refusing to let extreme right-wing politicians define what God calls this country to be about," Herron said. Herron said Tennessee Democrats had told him they are "woefully weary of being told because they are Democrats that they can't be Christians."
Vote No on the Tennessee Hate Amendment!
Protest Gay Stand for All Families Two Rivers Baptist Church Gay Marriage James Dobson Nashville Tennessee Republicans Politics Anti Gay Rally Bush Marriage Amendment News
