[Attached Mama]

I have heard that he espouses a doctrine of earthly perfection, meaning that it is possible to go thru life never doing anything wrong - no bad attitudes, words, mistakes etc.<br><br>
Anyone know anythign about this? It would be good ammo to get my sister to rethink her love of him, as it is not a popularly held Christian doctrine.<br><br>
Also, she says 2 of Dr Sears kid's (she thought he only had 2) both committed suicide.

 

[Momma Aimee]

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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">Also, she says 2 of Dr Sears kid's (she thought he only had 2) both committed suicide.</td>
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I know little about Dobbson.<br><br>
however<br><br>
i have NEVER heard this about Dr Sears (who has 8, one adopted, and one with Downs)........i have so many of his books and so on -- they talk a great deal about family expereince, i doubt this would be "hidden" -- but i am not sure.<br><br>
They also have a large number of grandkids now --<br><br>
AImee

 

[heartmama]

Dr. William Sears has 8 children. One of them, a son, is also an ap physician advocate. To my knowledge all of his children are alive.<br><br><a href="http://iparenting.com/sears/bio.htm" target="_blank">http://iparenting.com/sears/bio.htm</a><br><br>
I'm not familiar with that part of Dobson's doctrine. I'd do a google search and see if you can find a bibliography of his work, and go from there.

 

[Andiad]

I'm not sure about Dr. Dobson but I do know that Dr. Sears has 8 children and unless something has happened recently, they are all still alive. Also, if you're looking for Christian references. Dr. Sears has a book on Christian Parenting. Hope that helps in talking to your sister.<br><br><a href="https://www.askdrsears.com/store/detail.asp?pid=16" target="_blank">https://www.askdrsears.com/store/detail.asp?pid=16</a>

 

[2kids-mommy]

I think the rumor about Dr. Sears sons is being confused with the urban legend that the son of famous pediatrician Benjamin Spock committed suicide, which is also false. It was actually Spock's grandson.<br><a href="http://www.snopes.com/medical/doctor/drspock.asp" target="_blank">http://www.snopes.com/medical/doctor/drspock.asp</a>

 

[PreggieUBA2C]

I don't know Dr Dobson's views, but can comment on the particular philosophical bent you've described. You are correct that it is not a normative christian doctrine; it is a Pelagian theory that you can quickly read about here:<br><br><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagianism" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagianism</a><br><br>
Also, some christians believe that once salvation is received by an individual, he cannot sin anymore; again, not a normative christian doctrine, although I'm not sure of it's origin (dh would be; he's been studying theology for 12 years now).<br><br>
Our family, while christian, rejects the notion of total depravity (from Calvin's T.U.L.I.P.) since as we live and walk in faith in Christ, we are continually sanctified (set apart and purified through the testing and transformative work of the Holy Spirit) and so it becomes less and less difficult to resist sin, which is sort of like a disease and not a description or definition of who we are, although while scriptural, this is not a widely-held belief either. It is possible that Dr. Dobson believes <i>this</i>, and if so, he has not strayed from the scriptures.<br><br>
You would need more context to what you wrote in order to determine if his teachings are christian or not. I would reserve judgement until and unless I was sure.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Dr. Dobson is a baby-beating, gay-hating, anti-AP <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/censored.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="censored"><br><br><br>
Dr. Sears has 8 children. The eldest two are also physicians and have entered into family practice with him and his wife, Martha, who is a nurse. None of them have committed suicide. Gawsh.

 

[L&IsMama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Attached Mama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8022437"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I have heard that he espouses a doctrine of earthly perfection, meaning that it is possible to go thru life never doing anything wrong - no bad attitudes, words, mistakes etc.</div>
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Um,I think the only one who was able to achieve this was Jesus himself.

 

[Attached Mama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>L&IsMama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8022933"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Um,I think the only one who was able to achieve this was Jesus himself.</div>
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I agree, but there is a fringe christian element that does not...

 

[L&IsMama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Attached Mama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8022969"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I agree, but there is a fringe christian element that does not...</div>
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Ahh,I see. Hmm,well,I would just tell her to listen to the Bible,and not Dobson then. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/duck.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Duck">: Sorry,I wish I had more in depth advice.<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/redface.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Embarrassment">

 

[AimeeandBrian]

I don't think that Dobson teaches that. (My mom pretty much worshipped him and she would not have liked him saying that) However, I do believe that is part of the Pearls' theology.

 

[Parker'smommy]

My friend is IN the Sears practice in San Clemente, Ca. and he is practicing with now THREE of his sons - Jim, Bob, and Peter just started practicing pediatrics this last year. My friend loves all of them. None of his children have committed suicide.<br><br>
I agree with Aimee that it's the Pearls' who teach that theology.

 

[my3peanuts]

I was raised in a "Dobson loving" household. My MIL worship him. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="rolleyes"><br><br>
I have read most all his books. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/duck.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Duck">: He does not believe what you described.<br><br>
Thankfully I've come to see the light and no longer listen to Dobson.

 

[Attached Mama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Parker'smommy</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8023090"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">My friend is IN the Sears practice in San Clemente, Ca. and he is practicing with now THREE of his sons - Jim, Bob, and Peter just started practicing pediatrics this last year. My friend loves all of them. None of his children have committed suicide.<br><br>
I agree with Aimee that it's the Pearls' who teach that theology.</div>
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thanks for the recent update/clarification. now i can give my sister a definitive answr -not just tell her i couln't find anything on google. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[GuildJenn]

This site is not about James Dobson but it is about the Ezzo stuff which may be similar.<br><br><a href="http://ezzo.info/" target="_blank">http://ezzo.info/</a><br><br>
Most of this is about the breastfeeding misinformation, but some of it talks about slapping hands, etc., which I know Dobson espouses. I think it's a useful read.<br><br>
P.S. the "Voices of Experience" area is heart wrenching. But it has some interesting perspectives from parents who were spanking etc. and turned to AP.

 

[marie1080]

This may be slightly off topic, but since it is the GD forum...<br><br>
I read a column by Dobson in my local paper this week in which he advocated corporal punishment. If I recall correctly, he was supporting it's use in school!<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/dizzy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Dizzy">: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/gloomy.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Gloomy">:

 

[Roar]

This site has a good collection of quotes from Dobson. <a href="http://www.stoptherod.net/dobson.html" target="_blank">http://www.stoptherod.net/dobson.html</a>

 

[Trinitty]

Those quotes make me sick.<br><br>
Thank you for posting them.<br><br>
I guess I won't be buying "Bringing up Boys" afterall.

 

[ThreeBeans]

If you want to read more about Dobson's 'parenting' techniques (which include whipping a FIFTEEN MONTH OLD BABY) read the Focus on the Family website. Be sure you have a strong somach. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad">

 

[L&IsMama]

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<div>Originally Posted by <strong>ThreeBeans</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8027459"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">If you want to read more about Dobson's 'parenting' techniques (which include whipping a FIFTEEN MONTH OLD BABY) read the Focus on the Family website. Be sure you have a strong somach. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/greensad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="greensad"></div>
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What did you expect from a guy who said being whipped by his mother's girdle,with it's multitude of straps and buckles made him feel loved? uke