This weekend Alan Grayson went live with a striking ad, bringing to light his opponent Daniel Webster’s extreme religious views. The ad, called “Taliban Dan,” highlights Webster’s positions on divorce (against) and abortion (not even in cases of rape), but it also spliced in footage of Webster telling an audience “wives submit yourselves to your own husband,” and “submit to me.”
The Webster campaign points out that the remarks are taken out of context. Webster actually said husbands and wives should dedicate Bible verses to one another. Men should use them to reinforce their commitment to their wives. Women should use them to submit themselves to their husbands… if they want to.
Here’s the full quote:
Write a journal, second, find a verse. I have a verse for my wife. I have verses for my wife. Don’t pick the ones that say she should submit to me. That’s in the bible. But pick the ones that you’re supposed to do. So instead “love your wife, even as Christ loved the church he gave himself for” as opposed to “wives, submit yourself to your own husband.” She can pray that if she wants to.
Watch:
It does appear that camp Grayson pulled words out of context to distort what Webster actually said. But what Webster actually said doesn’t address the questions the ad raises: Should women be permitted to divorce abusive husbands, or have abortions in cases of rape and incest? And should they generally submit themselves to their husbands?
Presumably that’s how the Grayson team will respond. We’ve reached out, and will let you know.
