And the Walls Come Tumbling Down: Bush's Pastor is Pro-Obama

Some interest and revealing news: Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, who presided over the wedding of Jenna Bush and Henry Hager, and who introduced President Bush at the 2000 Republican National Convention, has come out as supporting Barack Obama.

And the story gets even better. Caldwell is also behind a website called James Dobson doesn't speak for me.

Good on Pastor Caldwell!

The main statement on this website pretty much says it all

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;

James Dobson doesn't speak for me when he uses the beliefs of others as a line of attack;

He doesn't speak for me when he denigrates his neighbor's views when they don't line up with his;

He doesn't speak for me when he seeks to confine the values of my faith to two or three issues alone;

What does speak for me is David's psalm celebrating how good and pleasant it is when we come together in unity;

Micah speaks for me in reminding us that the Lord requires us to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with Him;

The prophet Isaiah speaks for me in his call for all to come and reason together and also to seek justice, encourage the oppressed and to defend the cause of the vulnerable;

The book of Nehemiah speaks for me in its example to work with our neighbors, not against them, to restore what was broken in our communities;

The book of Matthew speaks for me in saying to bless those that curse you and pray for those who persecute you;

The words of the apostle Paul speak for me in saying that words spoken and deeds done without love amount to nothing.

The apostle John speaks for me in reminding us of Jesus' command to love one another. The world will know His disciples by that love.

These words speak for me. But when James Dobson attacks Barack Obama, James Dobson doesn't speak for me.

As well as a really nice comment left on this site.

"My faith is not confined to one or two wedge issues. Let's talk about how to love the world, help the poor, and embrace a consistent ethic of life. Let's elevate our nation through service and true leadership. Let's have a president who respects our intelligence enough to trust us with nuances rather than soundbites. Most of all, let's bring out the best in each other."

- Robyn L.

It appears, thus, that the heyday of the religious right is pretty much over. Good riddence to the true social cancer of Dobsonian/Falwellian wedge politics.

Of course, some supporters of this social cancer are not quite ready to go out without a fight. Little do they know that they appear more pathetic than formidable, at this point.

In the meantime, cheers to Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell!