A writer on LewRockwell.com (libertarian site) got into an interesting discussion with James Dobson’s office (of Focus on the Family), challenging Dr. Dobson’s “non-negotiable” pro-Iraq war stance.

Among other things, they debated the philosophy of “just war”.

It’s hard to justify the Iraq war on Biblical grounds, in my view.

It’s one thing to be a Republican, like Dobson is, and to choose to support the war because your friendly Republican president wants the war, and you are giving benefit of the doubt to the president because he is of your preferred political persuasion.

It’s another thing, though, to attempt to justify a war from the pulpit, using the “God said it, I believe it” Bible method, when the facts allegedly justifying the “need” for the war in Iraq are so very debateable. It makes the pulpit look like a pro-Republican propaganda vehicle, without adequate regard for the horrors of war.

When there is doubt about the facts justifying mass killing of civilians, wouldn’t the “culture of life” require NOT killing? Yes.

Therefore, Dobson must posture and pretend that there is NO DOUBT. He must lay out the need for war with a “fire and brimstone” appearance of certainty, where no certainly actually exists. If Dobson honestly and openly acknowledged the factual and ethical uncertainties, and still came down on the side of war, he would be more vulnerable to attack for supporting the unjust killing of many thousands of people.

Challenging Dr. James Dobson And His Just War Theory by Michael Gaddy
Challenging Dr. James Dobson And His Just War Theory

by Michael Gaddy

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A friend from Colorado, a lay minister, spends a lot of his spare time listening to Christian Radio. He became quite upset when listening to a program from Dr. James Dobson and his Focus on the Family show. My friend%u2019s concern was the inference, made on the show, that anyone who did not support George W. Bush and the war in Iraq was most obviously a liberal. My friend contacted Focus on the Family by email and received an answer that is printed below. When I saw the answer he received, I felt compelled to question the rationale listed for the war for Dr. Dobson by his agent, Mr. Masters. I emailed my response, also listed below to Mr. Masters. I have yet to receive a reply.