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{{Short description|US fundamentalist Protestant Christian organization}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2016}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}} | |||
{{Infobox non-profit | |||
{{Infobox organization | |||
| name = Focus on the Family | |||
| name = Focus on the Family | |||
| image = FOTF logo.svg | |||
| image = FOTF logo.svg | |||
| caption = | |||
| caption = | |||
| founder = ] | |||
| founder = ] | |||
| type = | |||
| type = | |||
| tax_id = 95-3188150 (]) | |||
| tax_id = 95-3188150 (]) | |||
| registration_id = | |||
| registration_id = | |||
| founded_date = {{Start date|1977}} | |||
| founded_date = {{Start date and age|1977}}<br />], United States | |||
| location = 8605 Explorer Dr<br>] 80920 | |||
| location = 8605 Explorer Dr<br />] 80920, United States | |||
| coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} --> | |||
| coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LON|display=inline,title}} --> | |||
| origins = | |||
| origins = | |||
| key_people = ], President | |||
| key_people = {{ubl|]|(president and ])|John Fuller|(VP audio division)|Paul Batura|(VP communications)|]|(VP external and governmental relations)|Robyn Chambers|(executive director, advocacy for children)}} | |||
| area_served = International | |||
| area_served = 98 countries | |||
| products = | |||
| products = | |||
| services = | |||
| |
| services = | ||
| |
| focus = | ||
| |
| mission = | ||
| method = | |||
| revenue = $95,209,896 (2011 ])<ref name=2011-990>{{cite web | url=http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2011/953/188/2011-953188150-083e5954-9.pdf | title=FY 2011 IRS Form 990 Federal Tax Return | publisher=GuideStar | accessdate=October 11, 2012}}</ref> | |||
| revenue = $99,205,813 (2019 ])<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Annual Report |url=https://www.focusonthefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/annual-report-2019-2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629200839/https://www.focusonthefamily.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/annual-report-2019-2.pdf |archive-date=2020-06-29 |url-status=live |access-date=December 24, 2020}}</ref> | |||
| endowment = | |||
| |
| endowment = | ||
| num_volunteers = 112 | |||
| num_employees = 640 (as of 2013)<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/focus-on-the-family-cutting-more-staff-as-part-of-restructuring-104516/ | title=Focus on the Family Cutting 40 More Staff as Part of Restructuring | publisher=The Christian Post | author=Michael Gryboski | date=13 Sep 2013 | accessdate=24 Aug 2016}}</ref> | |||
| num_employees = 880 (as of 2023)<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.focusonthefamily.com/family-qa/how-many-people-work-at-focus/| title=How many people work at Focus?}}</ref> | |||
| num_members = | |||
| |
| num_members = | ||
| |
| subsid = | ||
| owner = | |||
| motto = ''Helping Families Thrive'' | |||
| former name |
| former name = | ||
| homepage |
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.focusonthefamily.com/}} | ||
| dissolved |
| dissolved = | ||
| footnotes |
| footnotes = | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{conservatism US}} | |||
'''Focus on the Family''' ('''FOTF''' or '''FotF''') is a ]<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Bulanda |first=Jennifer Roebuck |date=September 2011 |title=Doing Family, Doing Gender, Doing Religion: Structured Ambivalence and the Religion-Family Connection |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1756-2589.2011.00093.x |journal=Journal of Family Theory & Review |language=en |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=179–197 |doi=10.1111/j.1756-2589.2011.00093.x |quote=such as Focus on the Family, an organization that provides advice on familial and social issues from a fundamentalist Protestant...}}</ref><!-- | |||
'''Focus on the Family''' ('''FOTF''' or '''FotF''') is an American ] organization founded in 1977 by <!-- | |||
* Please view the Misplaced Pages Manual of Style regarding naming conventions at Misplaced Pages:NAMES#Academic_titles before editing here. | * Please view the Misplaced Pages Manual of Style regarding naming conventions at Misplaced Pages:NAMES#Academic_titles before editing here. | ||
* Do not add titles like "Dr." or post-nominal letters like "Ph.D.". | * Do not add titles like "Dr." or post-nominal letters like "Ph.D.". | ||
* Please keep a neutral point of view. | * Please keep a neutral point of view. | ||
* Thank you. | * Thank you. | ||
--> organization founded in 1977 in ] by ], based in ].<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/17/focus-on-the-family-leade_n_4618187.html |title= Key Christian Conservative Admits Medical Marijuana Has Benefits |access-date= October 7, 2015 |work= Huffington Post |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151016073409/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/17/focus-on-the-family-leade_n_4618187.html |archive-date= October 16, 2015 |url-status= live}}</ref> The group is one of a number of ] ]s that rose to prominence in the 1980s. As of the 2017 tax filing year, Focus on the Family declared itself to be a church, "primarily to protect the confidentiality of our donors." Traditionally, entities considered churches have been ones that have regular worship services and congregants.<ref name="WP_now_church">{{cite news |last=Pulliam Bailey |first=Sarah |date=January 17, 2020 |title=Major evangelical nonprofits are trying a new strategy with the IRS that allows them to hide their salaries |newspaper=] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/01/17/major-evangelical-nonprofits-are-trying-new-strategy-with-irs-that-allows-them-hide-their-salaries/ |url-status=live |access-date=January 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118144613/https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/01/17/major-evangelical-nonprofits-are-trying-new-strategy-with-irs-that-allows-them-hide-their-salaries/ |archive-date=January 18, 2020 |quote=The IRS status change allows these groups, including Focus on the Family and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, to avoid filing a form that makes details of their institution's finances public. ... Paul Batura, a spokesman for Focus on the Family, said in a statement that the organization changed its status to "church" with the IRS "primarily to protect the confidentiality of our donors.}}</ref> | |||
-->] ], based in ].<ref> | |||
{{cite web |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/17/focus-on-the-family-leade_n_4618187.html |title= Key Christian Conservative Admits Medical Marijuana Has Benefits |accessdate= 2015-10-07 |publisher= Huffington Post}}</ref> It is active in promoting an ] effort toward its ] views on ]. Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical ] that rose to prominence in the 1980s. | |||
It most prominently lobbies against ] — including those related to ], ], and ] — labeling it a "particularly evil lie of Satan".<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Corvino |first=John |title=What's Wrong with Homosexuality? |publisher=] |year=2013 |isbn=9780199856312 |pages=139, 144–145 |author-link=John Corvino}}</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100405104827/http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/spring/a-mighty-army#10|date=April 5, 2010}} SPLC on anti-gay groups.</ref> The organization also seeks to change ] in the areas of ], ], ], ], ], ], and enforcement of their interpretation of proper ]s.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Padian |first=Kevin |author-link=Kevin Padian |date=January–April 2006 |title=The Dover Victory |url=http://ncse.com/rncse/26/1-2/dover-victory |journal=Reports of the National Center for Science Education |location=Berkeley, CA |volume=26 |issue=1–2 |pages=49–50 |issn=2158-818X |access-date=May 6, 2014 |mode=cs2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420023820/http://ncse.com/rncse/26/1-2/dover-victory |archive-date=April 20, 2015 |url-status=live}}; {{cite web |url=http://www.trueorigin.org/isakrbtl.asp |title=Five Major Evolutionist Misconceptions about Evolution |last=Wallace |first=Tim |year=2007 |orig-year=Originally published 2005 |website=The True.Origin Archive |publisher=Tim Wallace |location=Hergiswil, Switzerland |access-date=April 25, 2011 |mode=cs2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321091116/http://www.trueorigin.org/isakrbtl.asp |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |url-status=dead}}.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Alters |first=Brian |author-link=Brian Alters |date=January–April 2006 |title='Ties' to Canada |url=http://ncse.com/rncse/26/1-2/ties-to-canada-0 |journal=Reports of the National Center for Science Education |location=Berkeley, CA |volume=26 |issue=1–2 |pages=51–52 |issn=2158-818X |access-date=May 6, 2014 |mode=cs2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420110832/http://ncse.com/rncse/26/1-2/ties-to-canada-0 |archive-date=April 20, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Focus on the Family Issue Analysts |url=http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/social-issues/adoption/our-position.aspx |title=Our Position (Adoption) |publisher=Focus on the Family |access-date=April 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203022231/http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/social-issues/adoption/our-position.aspx |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |mode=cs2}}; {{cite news|last=Culver|first=Virginia|title=Adoption plan stirs controversy Gays applaud doctors' stance; Focus on Family denounces it|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=February 5, 2002 |mode=cs2}}; {{cite news |last=Draper |first=Electa |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14516591 |title=Adoption initiative halves numbers of kids needing families |newspaper=The Denver Post |access-date=April 10, 2014 |mode=cs2 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812222928/http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14516591 |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |url-status=live}}.</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family's stated mission is "nurturing and defending the God-ordained institution of the family and promoting biblical truths worldwide."<ref> | |||
{{cite web |url= http://www.focusonthefamily.com/about_us/guiding-principles.aspx |title= Focus on the Family's Foundational Values |accessdate= 2010-02-08 |publisher= Focus on the Family }}</ref> It promotes ]; ];<ref>{{cite journal |last=Padian |first=Kevin |authorlink=Kevin Padian |date=January–April 2006 |title=The Dover Victory |url=http://ncse.com/rncse/26/1-2/dover-victory |journal=Reports of the National Center for Science Education |location=Berkeley, CA |publisher=National Center for Science Education |volume=26 |issue=1–2 |pages=49–50 |issn=2158-818X |accessdate=2014-05-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Alters |first=Brian |authorlink=Brian Alters |date=January–April 2006 |title='Ties' to Canada |url=http://ncse.com/rncse/26/1-2/ties-to-canada-0 |journal=Reports of the National Center for Science Education |location=Berkeley, CA |publisher=National Center for Science Education |volume=26 |issue=1–2 |pages=51–52 |issn=2158-818X |accessdate=2014-05-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trueorigin.org/isakrbtl.asp |title=Five Major Evolutionist Misconceptions about Evolution |last=Wallace |first=Tim |year=2007 |origyear=Originally published 2005 |website=The True.Origin Archive |publisher=Tim Wallace |location=Hergiswil, Switzerland |accessdate=2011-04-25}}</ref> ] by married, opposite-sex parents;<ref>{{cite web|author=Focus on the Family Issue Analysts |url=http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/social-issues/adoption/our-position.aspx |title=Our Position (Adoption) |publisher=Focus on the Family |date= |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref><ref name=Culver>{{cite news|last=Culver|first=Virginia|title=Adoption plan stirs controversy Gays applaud doctors' stance; Focus on Family denounces it|newspaper=The Denver Post|date=February 5, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Draper |first=Electa |url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14516591 |title=Adoption initiative halves numbers of kids needing families |publisher=The Denver Post |date= |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref> ]; and traditional ]s. It opposes abortion; divorce; gambling; ], particularly ] and ];<ref> SPLC on anti-gay groups</ref> pornography; ]; and ]. ]s, ]s, and social scientists have criticized Focus on the Family for trying to misrepresent their research to bolster FOTF's fundamentalist political agenda and ideology. | |||
The core promotional activities of the organization include |
The core promotional activities of the organization include the flagship daily radio broadcast currently hosted by its president ] together with co-host Focus VP John Fuller. Focus also provides free resources in line with the group's views, and publishes books, magazines, videos, and audio recordings. | ||
The organization also produces programs for targeted audiences, such as '']'' and ''Ribbits!'' for children, and dramas for other audiences. | |||
==History and organization== | |||
] | |||
==History == | |||
] From 1977 to 2003, ] served as the sole leader of the organization. In 2003, ] became president and chief executive officer, tasked with the day-to-day operations.<ref> | |||
] | |||
{{cite news | |||
] | |||
|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1zIwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uaMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4223,327647 | |||
|title= James Dobson no longer a manager, just an orator | |||
=== Origins and Dobson era === | |||
|date= May 17, 2003 | |||
From 1977 to 2003, ] served as the sole leader of the organization, which was originally based in ]. Dobson and his organization generated significant controversy by taking a different approach to ] than many other ] ], opting to combine its parenting programs with conservative political activism.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Rabey |first=Steve |title=Focus on the Family turns 40, with Jim Daly saying the good word is "Shalom" |url=http://gazette.com/focus-on-the-family-turns-40-with-jim-daly-saying-the-good-word-is-shalom/article/1599721 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170421095128/http://gazette.com/focus-on-the-family-turns-40-with-jim-daly-saying-the-good-word-is-shalom/article/1599721 |archive-date=April 21, 2017 |access-date=April 20, 2017 |work=Colorado Springs Gazette}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news |last=White |first=Gayle |date=1993-09-04 |title=Focus on the Family: Evangelical Christian organization is bursting at the seams |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/402934146/ |work=The Atlanta Constitution |pages=67}}</ref> By 1993, Focus on the Family was receiving approximately 10,000 personal letters and 3,000 phone calls per day by individuals seeking personal assistance from the organization.<ref>{{Cite news |last=White |first=Gayle |date=1993-09-04 |title=Focus on the Family: Evangelical Christian organization is bursting at the seams |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/402934146/ |work=The Atlanta Constitution |pages=67 |quote=People seeking personal attention send about 10,000 letters and make about 3,000 calls a day to Focus on the Family. The Colorado Springs facilities include a bank of counselors who reply, referring some to counseling centers near their homes.}}</ref> The organization, and especially James Dobson, wielded significant national influence within the U.S., and particularly among ] and women working within the home.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Perkes |first=Kim Sue Lia |date=1995-08-12 |title=Search & rescue: James Dobson's Christian ministry seeks to deliver families from 'destruction' at the hands of a liberal society |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/123413811/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |work=] |location=Phoenix, Arizona |pages=D6–D7}}</ref> During the 1990s Dobson and Focus on the Family were accused by an early member of the organization of moving away from their original mission of helping families and instead becoming "too political".<ref>{{Cite news |date=1997-08-22 |title=Co-founder of Focus on the Family makes public apology |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/879752841/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |work=] |pages=8}}</ref> The organization's cornerstone items included their radio broadcasts as well as other ventures such as their film publishing arm ''Focus on the Family Films''.<ref name=":6" /> | |||
|page= A9 | |||
|publisher= Reading Eagle | |||
}}</ref> This left Dobson as chairman of the board of directors, with chiefly creative and speaking duties. Focus on the Family aims to equip families "through radio broadcasts, websites, simulcasts, conferences, interactive forums, magazines, books, and counseling." | |||
In 2003, ] became president and chief executive officer, tasked with the day-to-day operations.<ref>{{cite news | |||
In March 2005, Hodel retired and ], formerly the Vice President in charge of Focus on the Family's International Division, assumed the role of president and chief executive officer.<ref> | |||
|url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1zIwAAAAIBAJ&pg=4223,327647 | |||
|title = James Dobson no longer a manager, just an orator | |||
|date = May 17, 2003 | |||
|page = A9 | |||
|newspaper = Reading Eagle | |||
|access-date = January 27, 2016 | |||
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170308205703/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1zIwAAAAIBAJ&sjid=uaMFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4223,327647 | |||
|archive-date = March 8, 2017 | |||
|url-status = live | |||
}}</ref> Dobson remained chairman of the board of directors, with chiefly creative and speaking duties. In March 2005, Hodel retired and ], formerly the vice president in charge of Focus on the Family's International Division, assumed the role of president and chief executive officer.<ref> | |||
{{cite news | {{cite news | ||
|url= http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=20234 | |url= http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=20234 | ||
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|work= Baptist Press | |work= Baptist Press | ||
|publisher= ] | |publisher= ] | ||
|url-status= dead | |||
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120320070740/http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/bpnews.asp?ID=20234 | |||
|archive-date= March 20, 2012 | |||
}}</ref> | }}</ref> | ||
By 2007, the executive leadership of the organization reportedly worked to sustain the group's cultural influence by investing more heavily into family programs targeted at younger generations as opposed to only bolstering its political programs favored by James Dobson. As a result of targeting a younger demographic more frequently in digital spaces, the organization reported a decrease in donations, dropping from 755,000 donors in 2004 to 564,000 donors by September 2007.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Gorski |first=Eric |date=2007-10-27 |title=Focus on the Family executives more interested in parenting than politics |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/321827344/ |work=] |pages=14 |type=Newspaper}}</ref> | |||
In November 2008, the organization announced that it was eliminating 202 jobs, representing 18 percent of its workforce. The organization also cut its budget from $160 million in fiscal 2008 to $138 million for fiscal 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gazette.com/news/focus_43586___article.html/lays_eliminationg.html |title=Focus on the Family eliminating 202 jobs |author=Bill Reed |work=Colorado Springs Gazette}}</ref> | |||
In the first decade the 2000s, Focus lead ] programs both domestically in the U.S. and worldwide. The program, often titled ''No Apologies'', had some success in ]-majority countries such as ] and ] where the teachings of abstinence aligned with messages of ]. The program was brought to ] with the permission of the ], who desired to bring down birth rates at the time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Wan |first=William |date=2010-09-03 |title=Abstinence program partners Chinese officials with U.S. Evangelicals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/824510436/ |access-date=2024-11-11 |work=] |pages=9A |agency=]}}</ref> | |||
In February 2009, Dobson resigned his chairmanship,<ref>. Washingtontimes.com (February 27, 2009). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> He left Focus on the Family in early 2010, and subsequently founded Family Talk as a non-profit organization and launched a new broadcast that began airing nationally on May 3, 2010. He is no longer affiliated with Focus on the Family. | |||
In November 2008, the organization eliminated 202 jobs, representing 18 percent of its workforce. The organization also cut its budget from $160 million in fiscal 2008 to $138 million for fiscal 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.gazette.com/news/focus_43586___article.html/lays_eliminationg.html |title=Focus on the Family eliminating 202 jobs |author=Bill Reed |work=Colorado Springs Gazette |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203223537/http://www.gazette.com/news/focus_43586___article.html/lays_eliminationg.html |archive-date=February 3, 2009}}</ref> | |||
==Ministries== | |||
In February 2009, Dobson resigned his chairmanship.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209161227/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/feb/27/dobson-steps-down-fof-chairman/ |date=February 9, 2011}}. '']'' (February 27, 2009). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> He left Focus on the Family in early 2010, and subsequently founded Family Talk as a non-profit organization and launched a new broadcast that began airing nationally on May 3, 2010.<ref name=":5" /> He is no longer affiliated with Focus on the Family. | |||
===Marriage and family=== | |||
Focus on the Family sees its primary ministry as the strengthening of what it considers traditional marriages and families, based on what it sees as a fundamentalist view of Biblical teachings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.focusonthefamily.com/about_us.aspx |title=About Us |publisher=Focus on the Family |date= |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref> The group strongly opposes same-sex marriage.<ref> | |||
{{cite news | |||
|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4132-2003Aug16.html | |||
|title= Family Values Groups Gear Up for Battle Over Gay Marriage | |||
|date= August 17, 2003 | |||
|first= Evelyn | |||
|last= Nieves | |||
|publisher= Washington Post | |||
|quote= Focus on the Family, which Dobson...began 25 years ago to strengthen and promote the traditional family unit using conservative Christian interpretations of scripture. | |||
}} | |||
</ref> Their website offers online tracts on topics regarding marriage<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage.aspx |title=Marriage & Relationships |publisher=Focus on the Family |date= |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref> and parenting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting.aspx |title=Parenting |publisher=Focus on the Family |date= |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref> | |||
=== |
=== Post-Dobson === | ||
In a break from the previous status quo, president Jim Daly purportedly tried to steer the organization away from the same level of political activism that the organization was known for in its initial decades of existence. Daly made connections with figures and organizations that founder Dobson disdained and cut off, such as ] ] ], liberal activist ], and the newspaper ].<ref name=":1" /> | |||
{{main|Love Won Out}} | |||
Focus on the Family formed ], an ] ministry, in 1998 and sold it to ] in 2009. (Exodus ceased activities in June 2013, issuing a statement which repudiated its aims and apologized for the harm their pursuit has caused to ] people.) | |||
On June 23, 2017, ] ] attended the organization's 40th anniversary celebration; at the event, he praised founder James Dobson, stated that then-] ] was an ally of the organization, and added that the Trump administration supported Focus on the Family's goals (including the abolition of ]).<ref>{{cite news|last=Blue |first=Miranda |title=Pence Tells Focus On the Family It Has An 'Unwavering Ally' In Trump |url=http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/pence-tells-focus-on-the-family-it-has-an-unwavering-ally-in-trump/ |access-date=June 24, 2017|work=Right Wing Watch|date=June 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627212525/http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/pence-tells-focus-on-the-family-it-has-an-unwavering-ally-in-trump/|archive-date=June 27, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Paul |first=Jesse |title=Mike Pence to speak in Colorado Springs for Focus on the Family's 40th anniversary celebration|url=http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/13/mike-pence-colorado-springs-focus-family-anniversary/|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=The Denver Post|date=June 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170616233331/http://www.denverpost.com/2017/06/13/mike-pence-colorado-springs-focus-family-anniversary/|archive-date=June 16, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Garrison|first1=Robert|title=Vice President Mike Pence to speak at Focus on the Family event in Colorado Springs |url=http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/vice-president-mike-pence-to-speak-at-focus-on-the-family-event-in-colorado-springs|access-date=June 24, 2017|work=7News - The Denver Channel |date=June 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614014952/http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/vice-president-mike-pence-to-speak-at-focus-on-the-family-event-in-colorado-springs|archive-date=June 14, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Pence's attendance at the event, along with Focus on the Family's stances on LGBT rights, was criticized by the ].<ref>{{cite news|last=Peters |first=Stephen |title=#HateWatch: Trump-Pence Endorse Agenda of Anti-LGBTQ Organization|url=http://www.hrc.org/blog/hatewatch-donald-trump-mike-pence-endorse-agenda-of-anti-lgbtq-organization|access-date=June 24, 2017|date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625232544/http://www.hrc.org/blog/hatewatch-donald-trump-mike-pence-endorse-agenda-of-anti-lgbtq-organization|archive-date=June 25, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
===Wait No More=== | |||
Focus on the Family's Wait No More ministry works with ] agencies, church leaders and ministry partners to recruit families to adopt children from ].<ref>. ''Colorado Springs Gazette'' (November 9, 2011). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> The program co-sponsors several adoption conferences throughout the country each year. Since November 2008, more than 2,700 families have started the adoption process through Wait No More.<ref>http://icareaboutorphans.org/whatwedo/waitnomore/</ref> In ], the number of children waiting for adoption dropped from about 800 to 350, due in-part to the efforts of Wait No More.<ref>. ''Colorado Springs Gazette'' (May 15, 2010). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Focus on the Family's efforts to encourage adoption among Christian families is part of a larger effort by ] to, in their perception, live out what they see as the "biblical mandate" to help children.<ref>Riley, Naomi S.. (September 24, 2010) . ''Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Focus on the Family supports laws to prevent couples from adopting who are cohabiting together outside of marriage as well as homosexual couples.<ref> FotF on Adoption</ref> | |||
In its IRS Form 990 for Tax Year 2015, dated October 26, 2017, Focus on the Family for the first time declared itself a "church, convention of churches or association of churches", claiming that it was no longer required to file the IRS disclosure form and that the sources and disposition of its $89 million budget were "Not for public inspection". Tax attorney Gail Harmon, who advises nonprofit organizations on tax law, said she found the declaration "shocking", noting that "There's nothing about them that meets the traditional definition of what a church is. They don't have a congregation, they don't have the rites of various parts of a person's life."<ref>Miranda Blue, {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218145105/https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/focus-on-the-family-has-declared-itself-a-church-avoiding-irs-disclosure-rules/ |date=December 18, 2020}}, "Right Wing Watch", February 20, 2018, Retrieved: February 23, 2018</ref> A spokesperson for the organization stated that it changed its status "primarily to protect the confidentiality of our donors".{{ r | WP_now_church}} By 2023, the organization had offices in 14 countries and partnerships in 60 countries, for an international presence in 98 countries.<ref>Focus on the Family, , focusonthefamily.com, USA, retrieved February 4, 2023</ref> | |||
===Option Ultrasound Program=== | |||
Focus on the Family's Option Ultrasound Program (OUP) provides grants to qualifying ] to cover 80 percent of the cost of an ] machine or sonography training. As of October 31, 2014, the program has provided 655 grants to centers in all 50 states and Bucharest, ]. Focus on the Family began OUP in 2004 with the goal of convincing women not to have abortions. FOTF officials said that ultrasound services help a woman better understand her pregnancy and baby's development, creating an important "bonding opportunity" between "mother and unborn child".<ref>. ''The Denver Post''. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
==Programs== | |||
The Option Ultrasound Program reported in 2014 that it has helped prevent more than 270,000 abortions since 2004. A study released in February 2012 shows that ultrasounds do not have a direct impact on an abortion decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americanindependent.com/210411/ongoing-study-shows-ultrasounds-do-not-have-direct-impact-on-abortion-decision |title=Ongoing study shows ultrasounds do not have direct impact on abortion decision |publisher=The American Independent |date= |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref> In 2011, FOTF President Jim Daly announced that while FOTF will continue to fight for the overturn of ], in the meantime he would like to work with pro-choice groups like ] who state they want to make abortion "safe, legal and rare" towards the shared goal of making abortion less common.<ref>. koaa.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Rep. ] (R-Minn.) introduced a sonogram bill in 2011 and – citing Focus on the Family – told Congress that "78 percent of women who see and hear the fetal heartbeat choose life." She was later corrected by Focus on the Family, which released a statement saying they did not release such data.<ref>. ''Los Angeles Times''(October 23, 2011). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
=== |
===Wait No More=== | ||
Focus on the Family's Wait No More ministry works with ] agencies, church leaders and ministry partners to recruit families to adopt children from ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213133631/http://www.gazette.com/articles/year-128126-amanda-last.html |date=December 13, 2011}}. ''Colorado Springs Gazette'' (November 9, 2011). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> In ], the number of children waiting for adoption dropped from approximately 800 to 350 persons, due in part to the efforts of Wait No More.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100519050858/http://www.gazette.com/articles/foster-98852-ended-sox.html#ixzz1mD5hPzmx |date=May 19, 2010}}. ''Colorado Springs Gazette'' (May 15, 2010). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Focus on the Family's efforts to encourage adoption among Christian families is part of a larger effort by ] to, in their perception, live out what they see as the "biblical mandate" to help children.<ref>Riley, Naomi S. (September 24, 2010) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902140425/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748703743504575494263102089970 |date=September 2, 2017}}. ''Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
{{main|Adventures in Odyssey}} | |||
] at the visitor's center showing the '']'' voice actors, challenging viewers to match them with the characters.]] | |||
Focus on The Family Radio Theatre is a series of audio dramas adapting classic literature, mystery mini-series and biographical productions, extending its reach to the mainstream as well as the Christian audience. The endeavor began through the efforts of ''Adventures in Odyssey'' producers Dave Arnold and Paul McCusker, along with casting director Philip Glassborow based in England. | |||
===Option Ultrasound Program=== | |||
''Radio Theatre'' began in 1996 with a 90-minute radio drama based on ]' '']'', which was produced and aired as a broadcast special. It was aired on over 1300 outlets, 325 of which were general market stations. It has since become a perennial on some of those stations.{{citation needed|date=March 2015}} | |||
Focus on the Family's Option Ultrasound Program (OUP) provides grants to ] to pay the cost of ] machines or sonography training. Focus on the Family began OUP in 2004 with the goal of convincing women not to have abortions. FOTF officials said that ultrasound services help a woman better understand her pregnancy and baby's development, creating an important "bonding opportunity" between "mother and unborn child".<ref> {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814112823/http://www.denverpost.com/commented/ci_18223160?source=commented-news |date=August 14, 2011}}. ''The Denver Post''. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
In 2011, FOTF announced that they would like to talk with pro-choice groups like ] to work towards the shared goal of making abortion less common.<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614072600/http://www.koaa.com/news/focus-on-the-family-welcomes-unlikely-ally/ |date=June 14, 2013}}. koaa.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Rep. ] (R-Minn.) introduced a sonogram bill in 2011 and, citing Focus on the Family, told Congress that "78 percent of women who see and hear the fetal heartbeat choose life." She was later corrected by Focus on the Family, which released a statement saying they did not release such data.<ref> . '']'' (October 23, 2011). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref>{{ r | AI_Resnick | p=1 | q=Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) introduced a federal mandatory sonogram bill last year and — citing the conservative policy group Focus on the Family — told Congress that "78 percent of women who see and hear the fetal heartbeat choose life." She was later corrected by Focus on the Family, which deemed her statement "inaccurate".}} A study released in February 2012 showed that ultrasounds do not have a direct impact on an abortion decision.<ref name="AI_Resnick">{{cite web |title=Ongoing study shows ultrasounds do not have direct impact on abortion decision |url=http://www.americanindependent.com/210411/ongoing-study-shows-ultrasounds-do-not-have-direct-impact-on-abortion-decision |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219025955/http://www.americanindependent.com/210411/ongoing-study-shows-ultrasounds-do-not-have-direct-impact-on-abortion-decision |archive-date=February 19, 2012 |access-date=April 10, 2014 |publisher=The American Independent |quote=A recently updated report on U.S. pregnancy resource centers (PDF), published by the anti-abortion Family Research Council, indicates that more and more of these centers are being supplied with ultrasound equipment. ... Much of the funding for these machines has come from two primary sources: Focus on the Family and the Knights of Columbus, both politically influential religious organizations.}}</ref> | |||
The drama continued with historical biographies of ] ("The Legend of Squanto"), Jesus ("The Luke Reports") and ] ("Bonhoeffer: The Cost of Freedom"). | |||
Over several years beginning in 1998 Focus on the Family Radio Theater released an audio dramatization of ]' epic novel series '']'', with ] providing the voice of ], and over 100 English actors rounding out the cast. Lewis' stepson, ], serves as host—sharing his personal stories at the beginning of each audio drama. A full box set of all 7 plays in one volume was released in the mid-2000s. | |||
===Boundless.org=== | |||
] ice cream shop.]] | |||
Boundless.org is Focus on the Family's website for young adults<ref>{{cite web|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/07/is-god-going-to-hook-me-up-online-assessing-christian-mingle-and-soul-mates/|title=Is God going to hook me up online? Assessing Christian Mingle and 'soul mates'|access-date=March 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211205859/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/07/is-god-going-to-hook-me-up-online-assessing-christian-mingle-and-soul-mates/|archive-date=February 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ages 18–34<ref name=":4" /> featuring articles, a blog, a podcast, and a conference. The site has been classified as a ], and originally included a moderated forum for young adults to exchange thoughts and ideas about topics relevant to them without being dictated what they should believe by an "authoritarian tone".<ref name=":4" /> The website covers topics such as singleness, ], ]s, popular culture, career, and sex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/august/17.28.html?start=1|last=Pulliam|first=Sarah|title=Restless, Reformed, and Single|work=Christianity Today|date=July 31, 2009|access-date=May 16, 2020|archive-date=December 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210223501/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/august/17.28.html?start=1|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Radio Theatre also released an original miniseries, the ''Father Gilbert Mysteries'', which tells of the spiritual mysteries encountered by Louis Gilbert, a cop-turned-]-priest, who lives in Stonebridge, ], and ministers to the people of the town from St. Mark's Church. Nine episodes have been produced in four volumes available on ] and CD. | |||
===Plugged In=== | |||
FOTF also produces a children's radio drama entitled ''Adventures in Odyssey''. It began in 1987 as Family Portraits, starring John Avery Whittaker (aka "Whit"). It was renamed "Odyssey USA" in November 1987 and took on its present name, ''Adventures in Odyssey'', in April 1988.<ref name="OnePlace.com">{{cite web|url=http://oneplace.com/ministries/Adventures_in_Odyssey/|title=Adventures in Odyssey online|accessdate=2007-10-11}}</ref> | |||
'''''Plugged In''''' is a Focus on the Family publication and associated website created for families that reviews magazines, newspaper comics, films, books, music, and TV and radio shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fanawards.com/plugged-in-review|title=Plugged In: Reviewing the Christian Review Site|date=January 11, 2017|accessdate=November 2, 2021}}</ref> As of 2007 it was one of their most popular products, and reviews were offered to members through both their website and through text messages.<ref name=":4" /> | |||
FOTF also produced a radio miniseries based on their videos, '']''. | |||
In 2009, FOTF's ] produced an audio drama of C.S. Lewis' '']'', starring ] (who played ] from the '']'' movies) as the voice of ]. The audio drama was also accompanied by the release of www.screwtape.com, the only site authorized by the ] estate to represent '']''.<ref>. Screwtape.com. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
===Boundless.org=== | |||
Boundless.org is Focus on the Family's website for young adults<ref>http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/01/07/is-god-going-to-hook-me-up-online-assessing-christian-mingle-and-soul-mates/</ref> featuring articles, a blog, a podcast, and a conference. The website covers topics such as singleness, ], ]s, popular culture, career and sex.<ref>. ''Christianity Today'' (July 31, 2009). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Boundless.org recommends online dating as a means for Christian singles to find potential spouses.<ref></ref> | |||
===Day of Dialogue=== | ===Day of Dialogue=== | ||
{{main|Day of Dialogue}} | {{main|Day of Dialogue}} | ||
The ] was a student event which took place April 16. Since 2018 the event is no longer marked on a single date, or organized nationally.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Focus on the Family Has Quietly Ended Its Anti-LGBTQ "Day of Dialogue"|url=https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2018/04/10/focus-on-the-family-has-quietly-ended-its-anti-lgbtq-day-of-dialogue/|date=April 10, 2018|website=]|language=en|access-date=May 23, 2020|archive-date=July 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190722163353/https://friendlyatheist.patheos.com/2018/04/10/focus-on-the-family-has-quietly-ended-its-anti-lgbtq-day-of-dialogue/|url-status=live}}</ref> Founders described the goal of the event, created in opposition to the anti-bullying and anti-homophobic ], as "encouraging honest and respectful conversation among students about God's design for sexuality." It was previously known as the ''Day of Truth'' and was founded by the ] in 2005.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114123011/http://www.gazette.com/articles/focus-107851-gay-taking.html |date=November 14, 2010}}. ''Colorado Springs Gazette'', November 11, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> In 2007, Exodus International began supporting the ], an event created by ] (ADF) in 2005 that challenges homosexuality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dayoftruth.org/?page_id=224 |title=Hostile Questions |work=DayOfTruth.org |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100130111036/http://dayoftruth.org/?page_id=224 |archive-date=January 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 23, 2018}}</ref> In 2009, the ADF announced they had passed on their leadership role for the event to Exodus. In October 2010, Exodus announced they would no longer support the event. President ] stated they realised they needed to "equip kids to live out biblical tolerance and grace while treating their neighbors as they'd like to be treated, whether they agree with them or not", adding that the Day of Truth was becoming too divisive. Chambers said that Exodus had not changed its position on homosexuality, rather they were reevaluating how to best communicate their message.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gilgoff|first=Dan|url=http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/06/christian-group-pulls-support-for-event-challenging-homosexuality/?hpt=T2|title=Christian Group Pull Support for Event Challenging Homosexuality|work=CNN|date=October 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123011818/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/06/christian-group-pulls-support-for-event-challenging-homosexuality/?hpt=T2|archive-date=November 23, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Roberts|first=David|url=http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2010/10/exodus-international-shuts-down-day-of-truth/|title=Exodus International Shuts Down Day of Truth|date=October 6, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120041128/https://exgaywatch.com/2010/10/exodus-international-shuts-down-day-of-truth/|archive-date=November 20, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> Focus on the Family subsequently took leadership of the event, and renamed it the Day of Dialogue.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.focusonthefamily.com/about/newsroom/news-releases/20101111-new-focus-on-day-of-truth-now-day-of-dialogue |title=New Focus on Day of Truth: Now "Day of Dialogue" |date=November 11, 2010 |work=Focus on the Family |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921121322/https://www.focusonthefamily.com/about/newsroom/news-releases/20101111-new-focus-on-day-of-truth-now-day-of-dialogue |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |url-status=dead |access-date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> | |||
The ] is a student-led event which takes place April 16. Founders describe the goal of the event, created in opposition to the anti-bullying and anti-homophobic ], as "encouraging honest and respectful conversation among students about God's design for sexuality." It was previously known as the '''Day of Truth''' and was founded by the ] in 2005.<ref>. ''Colorado Springs Gazette'', November 11, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
===National Day of Prayer=== | ===National Day of Prayer=== | ||
{{main|National Day of Prayer Task Force}} | {{main|National Day of Prayer Task Force}} | ||
The ] is an American ] ] non-profit organization which organizes, coordinates, and presides over ] religious observances each year on the ]. The website of the NDP Task Force states that "its business affairs are separate" from those of Focus on the Family, but also that "between 1990 and 1993, Focus on the Family did provide grants in support of the NDP Task Force" and that "Focus on the Family is compensated for services rendered."<ref>. Nationaldayofprayer.org. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson, |
The ] is an American ] ] non-profit organization which organizes, coordinates, and presides over ] religious observances each year on the ]. The website of the NDP Task Force states that "its business affairs are separate" from those of Focus on the Family, but also that "between 1990 and 1993, Focus on the Family did provide grants in support of the NDP Task Force" and that "Focus on the Family is compensated for services rendered."<ref> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620021759/http://nationaldayofprayer.org/about/faqs/ |date=June 20, 2010}}. Nationaldayofprayer.org. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson, was chairwoman of the NDP Task Force from 1991 until 2016, when ], daughter of evangelist ], assumed the post.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428050957/http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/history |date=April 28, 2017}}. Nationaldayofprayer.org. Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref> | ||
=== |
===Radio Theatre=== | ||
Radio Theatre is a program run by Focus on the Family that makes both original and adapted radio dramas. Much of the staff involved with ] is also involved with Radio Theatre such as Paul McCusker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paulmccusker.com/focus-on-the-family-radio-theatre|title=Paul McCusker Writes. A Bit.|date=November 2, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021|archive-date=November 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103021345/https://www.paulmccusker.com/focus-on-the-family-radio-theatre|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family has a number of additional ministries. Many are aimed at specific demographics including teenage boys and girls, children, college students, families, young adults, parents, while others are aimed at specific concerns, such as sexual problems, entertainment, and politics. Many have their own regular publications. | |||
They have made adaptations of many novels including '']'' and '']'' as well as an adaptation of the complete ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/39radio-theatre39-tales-with-a-message|title='Radio Theatre': Tales with a Message|date=December 12, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021}}</ref> Radio Theatre often hires famous actors to be a part of their adaptations such as ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cslewis.org/blog/new-audio-release-of-the-screwtape-letters/|title=New Audio release of The Screwtape Letters|date=October 8, 2021|accessdate=November 2, 2021}}</ref> | |||
==Former ministries== | |||
==Political positions and activities== | |||
Focus on the Family's ] status prevents them from advocating any individual political candidate.<ref name="FS-2006-17">{{cite web| url=http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html| title=Election Year Activities and the Prohibition on Political Campaign Intervention for Section 501(c)(3) Organizations| publisher=]|date=February 2006| accessdate=2011-02-05| quote=Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. ... Political campaign intervention includes any and all activities that favor or oppose one or more candidates for public office. The prohibition extends beyond candidate endorsements.}}</ref> Focus on the Family's magazine ''Citizen'' is exclusively devoted to cultural and public policy issues. FOTF also has an affiliated group, Family Policy Alliance, though the two groups are legally separate. As a ] social welfare group, Family Policy Alliance has fewer political lobbying restrictions. FOTF's revenue in 2012 was USD $90.5 million, and that of Family Policy Alliance (formerly CitizenLink) was USD $8 million.<ref>. Retrieved October 29, 2014.</ref><ref>. Retrieved October 29, 2014.</ref> | |||
=== Family Life Seminars === | |||
Focus on the Family supports teaching of what it considers to be traditional "family values". It supports student-led and initiated prayer and supports the practice of ].<ref>Focus on the Family Defends Parents' Right to Discipline {{waybackdate|site=http://www.family.org/welcome/press/a0021264.cfm|date=20040501021208}}</ref> It strongly opposes ], abortion, pornography, gambling, and pre-marital and extramarital sexual activity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/social-issues.aspx |title=Social Issues |publisher=Focus on the Family |date= |accessdate=2014-04-10}}</ref> Focus on the Family also embraces and reflects the wider political agenda of its audience, for instance promoting a religiously-centered conception of American identity and the support of Israel. | |||
One of Focus on the Family's earliest ministries, Family Life Seminars were speaking events hosted by James Dobson in the 1970s. To reduce the time that the events were taking Dobson away from his own family, the seminars were eventually recorded and released as a seven-part film series. The film series then in turn inspired a television program based on the films.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Cook |first=Judith A. |date=1984-08-05 |title=Success story: Focus on the Family - Christian group dedicated to preservation of the home |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/606230996/ |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=2024-11-11 |work=Monrovia News-Post |location=Monrovia, California |pages=1–2}}</ref> | |||
===Love Won Out=== | |||
Focus on the Family maintains a strong ] stand against abortion, and provides grant funding and medical training to assist ]s (CPCs; also known as pregnancy resource centers) in obtaining ultrasound machines. According to the organization, this funding, which has allowed CPCs to provide pregnant women with live sonogram images of the developing fetus, has led directly to the birth of over 1500 babies who would have otherwise been aborted.<ref>. Heartlink.org. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref><ref></ref> The organization has been staunchly opposed to public funding for elective abortions. | |||
{{main|Love Won Out}} | |||
Focus on the Family formed ], an ] ministry in 1998. In 2009, it was sold to ].<ref>Staff, , baptistpress.com, USA, August 14, 2009</ref> | |||
==Political positions and activities== | |||
] | |||
Focus on the Family's ] status prevents them from advocating any individual political candidate,<ref name="FS-2006-17">{{cite web| url=https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html| title=Election Year Activities and the Prohibition on Political Campaign Intervention for Section 501(c)(3) Organizations| publisher=]| date=February 2006| access-date=February 5, 2011| quote=Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. ... Political campaign intervention includes any and all activities that favor or oppose one or more candidates for public office. The prohibition extends beyond candidate endorsements.| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305221157/http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154712,00.html| archive-date=March 5, 2011| url-status=live}}</ref> though it has permitted them to spend up to a certain amount on other political activities such as lobbying and voter education.<ref name=":3" /> Focus on the Family has an affiliated group, ], though the two groups are legally separate. As a ] social welfare group, Family Policy Alliance has fewer political lobbying restrictions. FOTF's revenue in 2012 was US$90.5 million, and that of Family Policy Alliance (formerly CitizenLink) was US$8 million.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030090634/http://media.focusonthefamily.com/fotf/pdf/about-us/financial-reports/2013-990.pdf |date=October 30, 2014}}. Retrieved October 29, 2014.</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029183325/http://media.citizenlink.com/2012_(FY13)_CL_Form990_CitizenLink_PublicDisclosure.pdf |date=October 29, 2014}}. Retrieved October 29, 2014.</ref> By 2023, Family Policy Alliance and its network of local state councils were generating over $40 million of revenue.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Rabey |first=Steve |date=2023-05-30 |title=Focus on the Family affiliate is the unifying force behind campaign to restrict transgender rights |url=https://baptistnews.com/article/focus-on-the-family-affiliate-is-the-unifying-force-behind-campaign-to-restrict-transgender-rights/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530114054/https://baptistnews.com/article/focus-on-the-family-affiliate-is-the-unifying-force-behind-campaign-to-restrict-transgender-rights/ |archive-date=2023-05-30 |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Baptist News Global |language=en-US |quote=Going against the consensus of medical professionals who work with the transgender community, FPA’s model legislation, written with the help of the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, declares gender transition procedures for minors harmful and prohibits them.}}</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family, through its partnership with Family Policy Alliance, strongly advocates for legislation against ], including crafted policies which oppose the consensus of medical experts who work with the transgender community.<ref name=":2" /> | |||
Focus on the Family broadcasts an eponymous national talk radio program. The program has a range of themes, such as fundamentalist Christian-oriented assistance for victims of rape or child abuse; parenting difficulties; child adoption; husband/wife roles; family history and traditions; struggles with gambling, pornography, alcohol, and drugs. | |||
Focus on the Family maintains a strong ], and provides grant funding and medical training to assist ]s (CPCs; also known as pregnancy resource centers) in obtaining ultrasound machines. According to the organization, this funding, which has allowed CPCs to provide pregnant women with live sonogram images of the developing fetus, has led directly to the birth of over 1500 babies who would have otherwise been aborted.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012082916/http://www.heartlink.org/OUP/index.cfm |date=October 12, 2007}}. Heartlink.org. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/us/church-groups-turn-to-sonogram-to-turn-women-from-abortions.html|title=Church Groups Turn to Sonogram to Turn Women From Abortions|first=Neela|last=Banerjee|date=February 2, 2005|work=] |access-date=October 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171001122416/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/02/us/church-groups-turn-to-sonogram-to-turn-women-from-abortions.html|archive-date=October 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The organization has been staunchly opposed to public funding for elective abortions. | |||
Focus on the Family has been a prominent supporter of the pseudoscience<ref name="Boudry 2010">{{Cite journal | doi = 10.1086/656904| pmid = 21243965| title = Irreducible Incoherence and Intelligent Design: A Look into the Conceptual Toolbox of a Pseudoscience| journal = The Quarterly Review of Biology| volume = 85| issue = 4| pages = 473–82| year = 2010| last1 = Boudry | first1 = M. | last2 = Blancke | first2 = S. | last3 = Braeckman | first3 = J. }} available from , Universiteit Gent, </ref><ref>]</ref> of ], publishing pro-intelligent design articles in its ''Citizen'' magazine and selling intelligent design videos on its website.<ref> Chris Mooney. The American Prospect Online, September 2005</ref><ref> ]. ]. (PDF file)</ref> Focus on the Family co-published the intelligent design videotape '']'' with the ], hub of the ].<ref> Stephen C. Meyer and W. Peter Allen. ] July 15, 2004</ref> | |||
] | |||
===2008 Presidential campaign=== | |||
In the ], Focus on the Family shifted from supporting ], to not supporting any candidate, to finally accepting the Republican ticket once ] was added to the ticket. Prior to the election, a television and letter campaign was launched predicting terrorist attacks in four U.S. cities and equating the U.S. with ]. This publicity was condemned by the ].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0810/28/sitroom.02.html |work=CNN |title=CNN.com Video |accessdate=2016-08-24 }}</ref> Within a month before the general election, Focus on the Family began distributing a 16-page letter titled ''Letter from 2012 in Obama's America'', which describes an imagined American future in which "many of our freedoms have been taken away by a liberal ] and a majority of Democrats in both the ] and the ]."<ref> {{wayback|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/165599 |date=20081028113955 }}</ref> According to '']'', the letter "is part of an escalation in rhetoric from Christian right activists" trying to paint Democratic Party presidential nominee Senator ] in a negative light.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-10-27-christian-right-obama_N.htm | work=USA Today | title=Christian right's mailings depict disastrous future under Obama | date=October 28, 2008 | accessdate=2010-05-02 | first1=Eric | last1=Gorski | first2=Rachel | last2=Zoll}}</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family has been a prominent supporter of the pseudoscience<ref name="Boudry 2010">{{Cite journal| doi = 10.1086/656904| pmid = 21243965| title = Irreducible Incoherence and Intelligent Design: A Look into the Conceptual Toolbox of a Pseudoscience| journal = The Quarterly Review of Biology| volume = 85| issue = 4| pages = 473–82| year = 2010| last1 = Boudry| first1 = M.| last2 = Blancke| first2 = S.| last3 = Braeckman| first3 = J.| url = https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/952482/file/6828579.pdf| hdl = 1854/LU-952482| s2cid = 27218269| access-date = October 28, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170809035126/https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/952482/file/6828579.pdf| archive-date = August 9, 2017| url-status = live| hdl-access = free}} available from {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626115148/https://biblio.ugent.be/publication/952482 |date=June 26, 2015}}, Universiteit Gent, </ref> of ], publishing pro-intelligent design articles in its ''Citizen'' magazine and selling intelligent design videos on its website.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618154306/http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=10084 |date=June 18, 2006}} Chris Mooney. The American Prospect Online, September 2005</ref><ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331092137/http://ncse.com/webfm_send/328 |date=March 31, 2010}} ]. ]. (PDF file)</ref> Focus on the Family co-published the intelligent design videotape '']'' with the ], hub of the ].<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060927065402/http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&id=2116&program=CSC%20-%20Video%20and%20Curriculum%20-%20Multimedia |date=September 27, 2006}} Stephen C. Meyer and W. Peter Allen. ] July 15, 2004</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family Action supported Senator ] (R-Ga.) in his successful December 2, 2008, runoff election win. The organization, according to the '']'', donated $35,310 in radio ads to the Chambliss runoff campaign effort. As the ''Independent'' reports, the Focus-sponsored ads were aired in about a dozen Georgia markets. The commercials were produced in the weeks after Focus laid off 202 employees – some 20 percent of its workforce – because of the national economic crisis.<ref>. Coloradoindependent.com (December 3, 2008). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
In New Zealand, Focus on the Family supported a ] on the repeal of ] of the ], which placed limits on the physical disciplining of children.<ref>{{cite news | |||
===Opposition to same-sex marriage=== | |||
|last = Focus on the Family | |||
Focus on the Family works to preserve its interpretation of biblical ideals of marriage and parenthood, taking a strong stance against LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage. Dobson expressed great concern for the institution of marriage in a 2003 letter to the Christian community. In reference to the same-sex marriage movement, Dobson says that the institution of marriage "…is about to descend into a state of turmoil unlike any other in human history." Focus on the Family believes that marriage should be defined as only being between a man and a woman. Dobson supported the failed ], which would have defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman, preventing courts and state legislatures from challenging this definition.<ref name="hli">{{cite web |url=http://www.safamily.co.za/newsletter_dob?mode=content&id=20115&refto=3644 |title=Marriage on the Ropes |author=James Dobson |date=September 2003 |work=Newsletter Archive |publisher=Focus on the Family Southern Africa |authorlink=James Dobson}}</ref> | |||
|title = Lobby group offers help through smacking mess | |||
|publisher = ] | |||
|date = May 17, 2007 | |||
|url = http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0705/S00294.htm | |||
|access-date = June 30, 2008 | |||
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20081029101110/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0705/S00294.htm | |||
|archive-date = October 29, 2008 | |||
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] came under criticism in October 2014 over allegations of sexism and promoting gender stereotypes during their workshops on managing relationships for junior college students. The workshop received a complaint from both a ] student, as well as negative feedback from the college management as being 'ineffective' and stopped before the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Pearl|title=Hwa Chong: Workshop staff 'ineffective'|url=http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/hwa-chong-workshop-staff-ineffective-20141010|access-date=September 2, 2015|agency=My Paper|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814154950/http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/hwa-chong-workshop-staff-ineffective-20141010|archive-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> | |||
In the same letter, Dobson says that traditional marriage is the cornerstone of society, and he states that the goal of the gay and lesbian movement is not to redefine marriage but to destroy the institution itself. "Most gays and lesbians do not want to marry each other…the intention here is to destroy marriage altogether." Dobson argues that, without the institution of marriage, everyone would enjoy the benefits of marriage without limiting the number of partners or their gender. Focus on the Family views allowing same-sex marriage as "…a stepping-stone on the road to eliminating all societal restrictions on marriage and sexuality."<ref name="hli" /> | |||
Following the ] to overturn '']'', Focus on the Family published an article on its ''Daily Citizen'' site urging ] to engage in a "cultural civil war" against "radical abortion laws" implemented in left-leaning states.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Batura |first=Paul |date=2022-06-23 |title=Are We Already in a Civil War? |url=https://dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com/are-we-already-in-a-cold-civil-war/ |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Daily Citizen |language=en-US}}</ref> This added to speculation that political violence similar to the ] could be accepted or encouraged on the grounds of opposing abortion rights.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fearnow |first=Benjamin |date=2021-03-16 |title=Pastor Rick Joyner Urges American Christians to Prepare for Civil War |url=https://www.newsweek.com/pastor-rick-joyner-urges-american-christians-prepare-civil-war-1576570 |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Is America As Divided As Ever And Are Christians Making It Worse? |url=https://religionunplugged.com/news/2022/1/26/is-america-really-threatened-by-civil-war-what-is-religions-role-in-these-tensions |access-date=2022-10-06 |website=Religion Unplugged |date=January 27, 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family asserts that the Bible lays out the correct plan for marriage and family. Dobson says that "God created Eve to complement Adam physically, spiritually, and emotionally". Dobson also uses the biblical figure ] to affirm his views on marriage. He states that Paul maintained that men and women mutually complete each other, and to exchange a "natural relationship for an unnatural one is sinful".<ref name="hli" /> | |||
===2008 presidential campaign=== | |||
In reference to same-sex marriage and same-sex couples with children, Dobson states, "Same-sex relationships undermine the future generation's understanding of the fundamental principles of marriage, parenthood, and gender." He also stated that the alleged destruction of what it considers to be the traditional family by permitting same-sex marriage will lead to "unstable homes for children".<ref name="hli" /> | |||
In the ], Focus on the Family shifted from supporting ], to not supporting any candidate, to accepting the Republican ticket once ] was added. Prior to the election, a television and letter campaign was launched predicting terrorist attacks in four U.S. cities and equating the U.S. with ]. This publicity was condemned by the ].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0810/28/sitroom.02.html |work=CNN |title=CNN.com Video |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828202628/http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0810/28/sitroom.02.html |archive-date=August 28, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> Within a month before the general election, Focus on the Family began distributing a 16-page letter titled ''Letter from 2012 in Obama's America'', which describes an imagined American future in which "many of our freedoms have been taken away by a liberal ] and a majority of Democrats in both the ] and the ]."<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Gorski|first1=Eric|last2=Zoll|first2=Rachel|date=October 28, 2008|title=Christian right intensifies attacks on Obama {{!}} Newsweek News {{!}} Newsweek.com|url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/165599|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028113955/http://www.newsweek.com/id/165599|archive-date=October 28, 2008|access-date=October 8, 2020|website=Newsweek}}</ref> According to '']'', the letter "is part of an escalation in rhetoric from Christian right activists" trying to paint Democratic Party presidential nominee Senator ] in a negative light.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-10-27-christian-right-obama_N.htm | work=] | title=Christian right's mailings depict disastrous future under Obama | date=October 28, 2008 | access-date=May 2, 2010 | first1=Eric | last1=Gorski | first2=Rachel | last2=Zoll | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604035021/http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2008-10-27-christian-right-obama_N.htm | archive-date=June 4, 2011 | url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family Action supported Senator ] (R-Ga.) in his successful December 2, 2008, runoff election win. The organization, according to the '']'', donated $35,310 in radio ads to the Chambliss runoff campaign effort. As the ''Independent'' reports, the Focus-sponsored ads were aired in about a dozen Georgia markets. The commercials were produced in the weeks after Focus laid off 202 employees, some 20 percent of its workforce, because of the national economic crisis.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915093613/http://coloradoindependent.com/16649/chambliss-got-help-from-focus-on-the-family-as-well-as-musgrave |date=September 15, 2012}}. Coloradoindependent.com (December 3, 2008). Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family became more active in the same-sex marriage opposition movement after the ] declared that restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples is a violation of the ] in 2003.<ref name="hli" /> | |||
===Opposition to LGBTQ rights=== | |||
Dobson spoke at the 2004 rally against gay marriage called Mayday for Marriage. It was here for the first time that he endorsed a presidential candidate, George W. Bush. Here he denounced the Supreme Court rulings in favor of gay rights, and he urged rally participants to get out and vote so that the battle against gay rights could be won in the Senate.<ref name="KirkPatrick">{{Cite news| last=KirkPatrick| first=David D. | title=THE 2004 CAMPAIGN: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE; Rally Against Gay Marriage Draws Thousands to Capital| newspaper=New York Times| date=October 16, 2004| page=12| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/16/national/16gays.html| accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> | |||
One of Focus on the Family's notable political stances is its strong opposition to ], ]s, and ]s.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nieves |first=Evelyn |date=August 17, 2003 |title=Family Values Groups Gear Up for Battle Over Gay Marriage |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4132-2003Aug16.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919170122/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4132-2003Aug16.html |archive-date=September 19, 2016 |access-date=August 28, 2017 |newspaper=Washington Post |quote=Focus on the Family, which Dobson ... began 25 years ago to strengthen and promote the traditional family unit using conservative Christian interpretations of scripture.}}</ref> | |||
In an interview with ], Dobson also explained that he was not in favor of ]. He stated that civil unions are just same-sex marriage under a different name. The main priority of the opposing same-sex marriage movement is to define marriage on the federal level as between a man and a woman and combat the passage of civil unions later.<ref name="Rutledge">{{Cite journal| last=Rutledge| first=Kathleen K.| title=Dobson on the Gay Marriage Battle| journal=]| volume=49| issue=1 |date=January 2005| page=60| url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/january/21.60.html| accessdate=2010-01-25}}</ref> | |||
The organization has referred to the ] as a "particularly evil lie of Satan".<ref name=":0" /> | |||
Civil rights advocacy groups identify Focus on the Family as a major opponent of ]. The ], a civil rights and hate group monitoring organization,<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Poverty Law Center: LGBT Rights|url=http://www.splcenter.org/what-we-do/lgbt-rights}}</ref> described Focus on the Family as one of a "dozen major groups help drive the religious right's anti-gay crusade".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/spring/a-mighty-army?page=0,0|title=A Dozen Major Groups Help Drive the Religious Right's Anti-Gay Crusade}}. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family founder James Dobson drew criticism for using the group to oppose homosexual members in the ]. Similarly, Dobson and the organization supported a 1992 amendment to the Colorado constitution which stopped laws that allowed for protections from LGBTQ discrimination.<ref name=":3" /> | |||
Focus on the Family is a member of ], a coalition formed to sponsor California ], a ballot initiative to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples, which passed in 2008,<ref>{{cite news|title=Coalition seeks male-female marriage definition / New ballot push for constitutional amendment|first=John M. |last=Hubbell|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=April 28, 2005|page=B.3}}</ref> but was subsequently struck down as being unconstitutional by a federal court in ], with the ruling currently stayed by the 9th Circuit Court. | |||
Dobson spoke at the 2004 rally against gay marriage called Mayday for Marriage. The event marked the first time that Dobson publicly endorsed a presidential candidate, ]. During the event he denounced the Supreme Court rulings in favor of gay rights, and he urged rally participants to vote so that the battle against gay rights could be won in the Senate.<ref name="KirkPatrick">{{cite news|last=KirkPatrick|first=David D.|title=The 2004 Campaign: Same-Sex Marriage; Rally Against Gay Marriage Draws Thousands to Capital|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 16, 2004|page=12|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/16/national/16gays.html|access-date=January 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528051651/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/16/national/16gays.html|archive-date=May 28, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Misrepresentation of research=== | |||
Social scientists have criticized Focus on the Family for misrepresenting their research in order to bolster its own perspective.<ref name=Steinbeck>{{cite web | url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2011/07/20/u-s-senator-catches-anti-gay-testifier-misrepresenting-study/#more-7295 | title=U.S. Senator Catches Anti-Gay Testifier Misrepresenting Study | publisher=] | date=July 20, 2011 | accessdate=November 12, 2013 | author=Steinbeck, Robert | quote=t was the latest in a relentless campaign of misrepresentations, half-truths and outright lies in recent years that have defined anti-gay Christian right organizations intent on opposing equal rights and common dignity for LGBT people.}}</ref> Researcher ] whose work Focus on the Family used to claim that gays and lesbians do not make good parents, said that the claim was "a direct misrepresentation of the research."<ref name=wp/> She elaborated, "Whenever you hear Focus on the Family, legislators or lawyers say, 'Studies prove that children do better in families with a mother and a father,' they are referring to studies which compare two-parent heterosexual households to single-parent households. The studies they are talking about do not cite research on families headed by gay and lesbian couples."<ref>{{Cite news |work=Church & State |date=September 2006 |title=Dobson's FOF Distorts Research, Says NYU Sociology Professor |url=https://www.au.org/church-state/september-2006-church-state/people-events/dobson%E2%80%99s-fof-distorts-research-says-nyu}}</ref> FOTF claimed that Stacey's allegation was without merit and that their position is that the best interests of children are served when there is a father and a mother. "We haven't said anything about sexual orientation" said Glenn Stanton.<ref name=wp>{{cite news | title=Gay Rights Group: Dobson Manipulated Data | first=Steven K. | last=Paulson | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/17/AR2006071701530.html | publisher=Washington Post | date=August 17, 2006 | accessdate=2008-05-21|quote=A Focus on the Family official denied the allegation... Focus on the Family spokesman Glenn Stanton cited other research including an article co-authored by Mary Parke, a policy analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy, that shows that children need a mother and a father, regardless of the parents' sexual orientation. "We haven't said anything about sexual orientation," he said.}}</ref> | |||
In an interview with '']'', Dobson also explained that he was not in favor of ]. He stated that generally agreed civil unions were merely same-sex marriage under a different name. He claimed his main priority in opposing the same-sex marriage movement was first and foremost to define marriage on the federal level as being exclusive between a man and a woman, and that afterward he wished to combat the passage of civil unions on a state-by-state basis.<ref name="Rutledge">{{cite journal|last=Rutledge|first=Kathleen K.|title=Dobson on the Gay Marriage Battle|journal=]|volume=49|issue=1|date=January 2005|page=60|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/january/21.60.html|access-date=January 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100203232105/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/january/21.60.html|archive-date=February 3, 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
James Dobson cited the research of ] and ] in a ''Time Magazine'' guest article in the service of a claim that two women cannot raise a child; upon finding out that her work had been used in this way, Gilligan wrote a letter to Dobson asking him to apologize and to cease and desist from citing her work, describing herself as "mortified to learn that you had distorted my work...Not only did you take my research out of context, you did so without my knowledge to support discriminatory goals that I do not agree with...there is nothing in my research that would lead you to draw the stated conclusions you did in the ''Time'' article."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ci=108&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=16911 |work=Edge Boston |date=December 15, 2006 |title=James Dobson Slammed for Distorting Facts on Gay Families in Time Magazine}}</ref><ref>Truth Wins Out: " letter to Dobson, obtained exclusively by Truth Wins Out," December 14, 2006.</ref><ref name=OLeary>{{cite news | url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:NHRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11AA3D8CECB1E500&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0FB3382EE6AD1E46 | title=Yale expert says group misused his words | publisher='']'' | date=February 12, 2007 | accessdate=November 12, 2013 | author=O' Leary, Mary E.}}</ref> Pruett wrote a similar letter, in which he said that Dobson "cherry-picked a phrase to shore up highly (in my view) discriminatory purposes. This practice is condemned in real science, common though it may be in pseudo-science circles. There is nothing in my longitudinal research or any of my writings to support such conclusions", and asked that FOTF not cite him again without permission.<ref name="minnindy">{{cite web|last=Birkey|first=Andy|title=Minnesota researcher claims Focus on the Family misrepresented his work|url=http://minnesotaindependent.com/3800/minnesota-researcher-claims-focus-on-the-family-misrepresented-his-work|work=The Minnesota Independent|publisher=The American Independent News Network|accessdate=September 9, 2011}}</ref> | |||
Civil rights advocacy groups identify Focus on the Family as a major opponent of ]. The ], a civil rights and hate group monitoring organization,<ref>{{cite web |title=Southern Poverty Law Center: LGBT Rights |url=http://www.splcenter.org/what-we-do/lgbt-rights |access-date=November 4, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111029030621/http://www.splcenter.org/what-we-do/lgbt-rights |archive-date=October 29, 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> described Focus on the Family as one of a "dozen major groups help drive the religious right's anti-gay crusade".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/spring/a-mighty-army?page=0,0|title=A Dozen Major Groups Help Drive the Religious Right's Anti-Gay Crusade|access-date=April 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406061624/http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/spring/a-mighty-army?page=0,0|archive-date=April 6, 2010|url-status=dead}}. Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved May 21, 2012.</ref> The SPLC does not list Focus on the Family as a ], however, since it opposes homosexuality "on strictly Biblical grounds".<ref>{{cite web|title=Southern Poverty Law Center: Frequently asked questions about hate groups|url=https://www.splcenter.org/20171004/frequently-asked-questions-about-hate-groups|access-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180223051545/https://www.splcenter.org/20171004/frequently-asked-questions-about-hate-groups|archive-date=February 23, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
After Elizabeth Saewyc's research on teen suicide was used by Focus on the Family to promote the pseudoscience of ] she said that "the research has been hijacked for somebody's political purposes or ideological purposes and that's worrisome", and that research in fact linked the suicide rate among LGBT teens to harassment, discrimination, and closeting.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Canada Press |title=B.C. researcher says American group distorting her research on teen suicide |date=June 19, 2006 |first=Beth |last=Gorham}}</ref> Other scientists who have criticized Focus on the Family for misrepresenting their findings include ],<ref name="SFBayTimes"/> Gary Remafedi<ref name="minnindy"/> and Angela Phillips.<ref name="SFBayTimes">{{Cite news |url=http://www.sfbaytimes.com/article_p.php?article_id=5924 |last=Besen |first=Wayne |work=San Francisco Bay Times |title=Science Strikes Back |date=December 28, 2006}}</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family was a member of ], a coalition formed to sponsor California ], a ballot initiative to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples, which passed in 2008,<ref>{{cite news|title=Coalition seeks male-female marriage definition / New ballot push for constitutional amendment|first=John M. |last=Hubbell|work=San Francisco Chronicle|date=April 28, 2005|page=B.3}}</ref> but was subsequently struck down as being unconstitutional by a federal court in '']''. | |||
===Football advertisements=== | |||
In 2010, Focus on the Family bought ad time during ] to air a commercial featuring ] winning ] ] ] and his mother, Pam. In the ad, Pam described Tim as a "miracle baby" who "almost didn't make it into this world", and further elaborated that "with all our family's been through, we have to be tough" (after which Pam was promptly tackled by Tim). The ad directed viewers to the organization's website.<ref name=latimes-tebowhype>{{cite news|title=Tebow ad falls short of the hype|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/08/nation/la-na-tebow-abortion8-2010feb08|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=January 19, 2014|first=Robin|last=Abcarian|date=February 8, 2010}}</ref><ref name="slate-tebowad"/> | |||
===Misrepresentation of research=== | |||
Women's rights groups asked CBS not to air the then-unseen ad, arguing that it was divisive. ] released a video response of its own featuring fellow NFL player ].<ref name=nyorker-tebowdefense>{{cite web|last=Davidson|first=Amy|title=The Tebow Defense|url=http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/2010/02/the-tebow-defense.html|work=The New Yorker|accessdate=January 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name=usatoday-pptebow>{{cite news|title=Planned Parenthood responds to Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-02-03-planned-parenthood-tim-tebow_N.htm|work=USA Today|accessdate=January 19, 2014|first=Michael|last=McCarthy|date=February 4, 2010}}</ref> The claim that Tebow's family chose not to perform an abortion was also widely criticized; critics felt that the claim was implausible because it would be unlikely for doctors to recommend the procedure because abortion is illegal in the Philippines.<ref name="slate-tebowad">{{Cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/2010/01/28/super_bowl_ad/ |work=Salon |title=The truth behind Tebow's tale |first=Tracy |last=Clark-Flory |date=January 28, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |work=Huffington Post |title=Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad May Be Based on Falsehood, Lawyer Claims |date=March 31, 2010 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/tim-tebow-super-bowl-ad-m_n_442808.html |first=Whitney |last=Snyder}}</ref> CBS's decision to run the ad was also criticized for deviating from its past policy to reject advocacy-type ads during the Super Bowl, including ads by left-leaning groups such as ], ] and the ] (which wanted to run an ad that was pro-]). However, CBS stated that "we have for some time moderated our approach to advocacy submissions after it became apparent that our stance did not reflect public sentiment or industry norms on the issue."<ref name=latimes-cbsad>{{cite news|title=CBS defends decision to run politically sensitive Tim Tebow ad during Super Bowl|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/27/business/la-fi-ct-cbs27-2010jan27|work=Los Angeles Times|accessdate=January 19, 2014|first=Meg|last=James|date=January 27, 2010}}</ref> | |||
Social scientists have criticized Focus on the Family for misrepresenting their research in order to bolster its own perspective.<ref name=Steinbeck>{{cite web | url=http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2011/07/20/u-s-senator-catches-anti-gay-testifier-misrepresenting-study/#more-7295 | title=U.S. Senator Catches Anti-Gay Testifier Misrepresenting Study | publisher=] | date=July 20, 2011 | access-date=November 12, 2013 | author=Steinbeck, Robert | quote=t was the latest in a relentless campaign of misrepresentations, half-truths and outright lies in recent years that have defined anti-gay Christian right organizations intent on opposing equal rights and common dignity for LGBT people. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112211204/http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2011/07/20/u-s-senator-catches-anti-gay-testifier-misrepresenting-study/#more-7295 | archive-date=November 12, 2013 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Researcher ], whose work was used by Focus on the Family to claim that gays and lesbians do not make good parents, said that the claim was "a direct misrepresentation of the research".<ref name=wp/> She elaborated, "Whenever you hear Focus on the Family, legislators or lawyers say, 'Studies prove that children do better in families with a mother and a father,' they are referring to studies which compare two-parent heterosexual households to single-parent households. The studies they are talking about do not cite research on families headed by gay and lesbian couples."<ref>{{Cite news |work=Church & State |date=September 2006 |title=Dobson's FOF Distorts Research, Says NYU Sociology Professor |url=https://www.au.org/church-state/september-2006-church-state/people-events/dobson%E2%80%99s-fof-distorts-research-says-nyu |access-date=November 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112165608/https://www.au.org/church-state/september-2006-church-state/people-events/dobson%E2%80%99s-fof-distorts-research-says-nyu |archive-date=November 12, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> FOTF claimed that Stacey's allegation was without merit and that their position is that the best interests of children are served when there is a father and a mother. "We haven't said anything about sexual orientation", said Glenn Stanton.<ref name=wp>{{cite news | title=Gay Rights Group: Dobson Manipulated Data | first=Steven K. | last=Paulson | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/17/AR2006071701530.html | newspaper=Washington Post | date=August 17, 2006 | access-date=May 21, 2008 | quote=A Focus on the Family official denied the allegation ... Focus on the Family spokesman Glenn Stanton cited other research including an article co-authored by Mary Parke, a policy analyst at the Center for Law and Social Policy, that shows that children need a mother and a father, regardless of the parents' sexual orientation. 'We haven't said anything about sexual orientation,' he said. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203144213/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/17/AR2006071701530.html | archive-date=December 3, 2017 | url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
James Dobson cited the research of ] and ] in a '']'' magazine guest article in the service of a claim that two women cannot raise a child; upon finding out that her work had been used in this way, Gilligan wrote a letter to Dobson asking him to apologize and to cease and desist from citing her work, describing herself as "mortified to learn that you had distorted my work ... Not only did you take my research out of context, you did so without my knowledge to support discriminatory goals that I do not agree with ... there is nothing in my research that would lead you to draw the stated conclusions you did in the ''Time'' article."<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ci=108&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=16911 |work=Edge Boston |date=December 15, 2006 |title=James Dobson Slammed for Distorting Facts on Gay Families in Time Magazine |access-date=September 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130231527/http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ci=108&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=16911 |archive-date=January 30, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>Truth Wins Out: {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115140123/http://www.truthwinsout.org/pressrelease/2006/12/37/ |date=January 15, 2013}} " letter to Dobson, obtained exclusively by Truth Wins Out", December 14, 2006.</ref><ref name=OLeary>{{cite news | url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:NHRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11AA3D8CECB1E500&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0FB3382EE6AD1E46 | title=Yale expert says group misused his words | newspaper=] | date=February 12, 2007 | access-date=November 12, 2013 | author=O' Leary, Mary E. | archive-date=December 18, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218145123/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news%2F11AA3D8CECB1E500&f=basic | url-status=live}}</ref> Pruett wrote a similar letter, in which he said that Dobson "cherry-picked a phrase to shore up highly (in my view) discriminatory purposes. This practice is condemned in real science, common though it may be in pseudo-science circles. There is nothing in my longitudinal research or any of my writings to support such conclusions", and asked that FOTF not cite him again without permission.<ref name="minnindy">{{cite web|last=Birkey|first=Andy|title=Minnesota researcher claims Focus on the Family misrepresented his work|url=http://minnesotaindependent.com/3800/minnesota-researcher-claims-focus-on-the-family-misrepresented-his-work|work=The Minnesota Independent|publisher=The American Independent News Network|access-date=September 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919070451/http://minnesotaindependent.com/3800/minnesota-researcher-claims-focus-on-the-family-misrepresented-his-work|archive-date=September 19, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family produced another commercial which ran during the second quarter of the January 14, 2012 ]-] AFC Divisional Playoff broadcast on CBS,<ref>Electra Draper, "The Denver Post", January 14, 2012, "", January 24, 2012</ref> featuring children reciting the Bible verse John 3:16.<ref>Focus on the Family, "John 3:16", January 14, 2012, "", January 24, 2012</ref> The game, given the months of preceding hype and media exposure for Tim Tebow (who now played for the Broncos), was seen by more than 30 million viewers, making it the most-watched AFC Divisional Playoff in more than a decade.<ref>Post Staff Writer, "New York Post", January 17, 2012 "", January 24, 2012</ref> The ad did not generate nearly the amount of controversy that surrounded the Super Bowl commercial. It did gain some national media attention, and president Jim Daly stated in a press release that its purpose was to "help everyone understand some numbers are more important than the ones on the scoreboard."<ref>Cathy Grossman, "USA Today", "", January 24, 2012</ref> | |||
After Elizabeth Saewyc's research on teen suicide was used by Focus on the Family to promote ] she said that "the research has been hijacked for somebody's political purposes or ideological purposes and that's worrisome", and that research in fact linked the suicide rate among LGBT teens to harassment, discrimination, and closeting.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=Canada Press |title=B.C. researcher says American group distorting her research on teen suicide |date=June 19, 2006 |first=Beth |last=Gorham}}</ref> Other scientists who have criticized Focus on the Family for misrepresenting their findings include ],<ref name="SFBayTimes"/> Gary Remafedi,<ref name="minnindy"/> and Angela Phillips.<ref name="SFBayTimes">{{Cite news |url=http://www.sfbaytimes.com/article_p.php?article_id=5924 |last=Besen |first=Wayne |work=] |title=Science Strikes Back |date=December 28, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110165323/http://www.sfbaytimes.com/article_p.php?article_id=5924 |archive-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref> | |||
==Recognitions and awards== | |||
In 2008, Dobson's "Focus on the Family" program was nominated for induction into the ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Devon|url=http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000007319.cfm|title=Dr. Dobson's Broadcast Nominated to Radio Hall of Fame|date=May 1, 2008|publisher=Citizenlink.org|accessdate=2008-07-25}}</ref> Nominations were made by the 157 members of the Hall of Fame and voting on inductees was handed over to the public using online voting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/radio_38491___article.html/dobson_fame.html|title=Dobson garners hall of fame honor|date=July 21, 2008|last=Barna|first=Mark|work=]|accessdate=2008-07-25}}</ref> The nomination drew the ire of gay rights activists, who launched efforts to have the program removed from the nominee list and to vote for other nominees to prevent "Focus on the Family" from winning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000007803.cfm|title=Dr. Dobson Blasted by Gay Activist|date=July 11, 2008|publisher=Citizenlink.org|accessdate=2008-07-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/two-launches-drive-keep-james/story.aspx?guid=%7B689964E1-58B4-447C-8035-A4E5A019854E%7D&dist=hppr|title=TWO Launches Drive to Keep James Dobson Out of the Radio Hall of Fame|date=July 9, 2008|last=Besen|first=Wayne|publisher=]|accessdate=2008-07-25}}</ref> However, on July 18, 2008, it was announced that the program had won and would be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in a ceremony on November 8, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=774479|title=FCC commissioner wants more concessions in satellite merger|first=Tim|last=Cuprisin|date=July 20, 2008|publisher=]|accessdate=2008-07-25|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080725025201/http%3A//www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx%3Fid%3D774479 |archivedate = July 25, 2008|deadurl=yes}}</ref> ], a gay rights group, protested the ceremony with over 300 protesters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gVVkhOROBhtmO0erIagBCwlYOFpAD924RBS00 |title=Religion News in Brief |date=July 25, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |accessdate=2008-07-25 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | |||
===Football advertisements=== | |||
==International associates and regional offices== | |||
In 2010, Focus on the Family bought ad time during ] to air a commercial featuring ] winning ] ] ] and his mother, Pam. In the ad, Pam described Tim as a "miracle baby" who "almost didn't make it into this world", and further elaborated that "with all our family's been through, we have to be tough" (after which Pam was promptly tackled by Tim). The ad directed viewers to the organization's website.<ref name="latimes-tebowhype">{{cite news|title=Tebow ad falls short of the hype|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-08-la-na-tebow-abortion8-2010feb08-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 19, 2014|first=Robin|last=Abcarian|date=February 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221051659/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/08/nation/la-na-tebow-abortion8-2010feb08|archive-date=February 21, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="slate-tebowad"/> | |||
Women's rights groups asked CBS not to air the then-unseen ad, arguing that it was divisive. ] released a video response of its own featuring fellow NFL player ].<ref name="nyorker-tebowdefense">{{cite magazine|last=Davidson|first=Amy|title=The Tebow Defense|url=https://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/2010/02/the-tebow-defense.html|magazine=The New Yorker|access-date=January 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007044752/http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/closeread/2010/02/the-tebow-defense.html|archive-date=October 7, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="usatoday-pptebow">{{cite news|title=Planned Parenthood responds to Tim Tebow Super Bowl ad|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-02-03-planned-parenthood-tim-tebow_N.htm|work=USA Today|access-date=January 19, 2014|first=Michael|last=McCarthy|date=February 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202114303/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-02-03-planned-parenthood-tim-tebow_N.htm|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The claim that Tebow's family chose not to perform an abortion was also widely criticized; critics felt that the claim was implausible because it would be unlikely for doctors to recommend the procedure because abortion is illegal in the Philippines.<ref name="slate-tebowad">{{Cite news |url=http://www.salon.com/2010/01/28/super_bowl_ad/ |work=Salon |title=The truth behind Tebow's tale |first=Tracy |last=Clark-Flory |date=January 28, 2010 |access-date=January 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322161100/http://www.salon.com/2010/01/28/super_bowl_ad/ |archive-date=March 22, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |work=Huffington Post |title=Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ad May Be Based on Falsehood, Lawyer Claims |date=March 31, 2010 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/tim-tebow-super-bowl-ad-m_n_442808.html |first=Whitney |last=Snyder |access-date=January 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228205810/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/29/tim-tebow-super-bowl-ad-m_n_442808.html |archive-date=December 28, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> CBS's decision to run the ad was also criticized for deviating from its past policy to reject advocacy-type ads during the Super Bowl, including ads by left-leaning groups such as ], ] and the ] (which wanted to run an ad that was pro-]). However, CBS stated that "we have for some time moderated our approach to advocacy submissions after it became apparent that our stance did not reflect public sentiment or industry norms on the issue."<ref name="latimes-cbsad">{{cite news|title=CBS defends decision to run politically sensitive Tim Tebow ad during Super Bowl|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-jan-27-la-fi-ct-cbs27-2010jan27-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=January 19, 2014|first=Meg|last=James|date=January 27, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913195632/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jan/27/business/la-fi-ct-cbs27-2010jan27|archive-date=September 13, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===New Zealand=== | |||
] | |||
''Focus on the Family New Zealand'' is an organisation promoting a conservative Christian ideology. It has a similar agenda to the Focus on the Family organisation in the United States. Focus on the Family supported a ] on the repeal of ] of the ].<ref>{{cite news | |||
| last = Focus on the Family | |||
| first = | |||
| author2 = | |||
| title = Lobby group offers help through smacking mess | |||
| work = | |||
| pages = | |||
| publisher = ] | |||
| date = May 17, 2007 | |||
| url = http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0705/S00294.htm | |||
| accessdate = 2008-06-30 }}</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family produced another commercial which ran during the second quarter of the January 14, 2012 ]-] AFC Divisional Playoff broadcast on CBS,<ref>Electra Draper, "The Denver Post", January 14, 2012, "{{cite web |url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19745058 |title=Focus on the Family unveils John 3:16 ad during Broncos game - the Denver Post |access-date=January 24, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118024018/http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19745058 |archive-date=January 18, 2012}}", January 24, 2012</ref> featuring children reciting the Bible verse John 3:16.<ref>Focus on the Family, "John 3:16", January 14, 2012, " {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120116020505/https://focusonthefamily.webconnex.com/free-downloads?refcd=102307|date=January 16, 2012}}", January 24, 2012</ref> The ad did not generate nearly the amount of controversy that surrounded the Super Bowl commercial. It did gain some national media attention, and president Jim Daly stated in a press release that its purpose was to "help everyone understand some numbers are more important than the ones on the scoreboard."<ref>Cathy Grossman, ''USA Today'', . {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118100331/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/01/focus-on-family-has-another-tebow-related-commercial/1 |date=January 18, 2012}} January 24, 2012</ref> | |||
{{see also|Christianity in New Zealand}} | |||
==Recognition and awards== | |||
===Other countries=== | |||
In 2008, Dobson's ''Focus on the Family'' program was nominated for induction into the ].<ref>{{cite web|last=Williams|first=Devon|url=http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000007319.cfm|title=Dr. Dobson's Broadcast Nominated to Radio Hall of Fame|date=May 1, 2008|publisher=Citizenlink.org|access-date=July 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080503062441/http://www.citizenlink.org/CLtopstories/A000007319.cfm|archive-date=May 3, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nominations were made by the 157 members of the Hall of Fame and voting on inductees was handed over to the public using online voting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazette.com/articles/radio_38491___article.html/dobson_fame.html|title=Dobson garners hall of fame honor|date=July 21, 2008|last=Barna|first=Mark|work=]|access-date=July 25, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080727000847/http://www.gazette.com/articles/radio_38491___article.html/dobson_fame.html|archive-date=July 27, 2008}}</ref> The nomination drew the ire of gay rights activists, who launched efforts to have the program removed from the nominee list and to vote for other nominees to prevent ''Focus'' from winning.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000007803.cfm|title=Dr. Dobson Blasted by Gay Activist|date=July 11, 2008|publisher=Citizenlink.org|access-date=July 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080817125658/http://www.citizenlink.org/content/A000007803.cfm|archive-date=August 17, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/two-launches-drive-keep-james/story.aspx?guid=%7B689964E1-58B4-447C-8035-A4E5A019854E%7D&dist=hppr|title=TWO Launches Drive to Keep James Dobson Out of the Radio Hall of Fame|date=July 9, 2008|last=Besen|first=Wayne|publisher=]|access-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref> However, on July 18, 2008, it was announced that the program had won and would be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in a ceremony on November 8, 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=774479|title=FCC commissioner wants more concessions in satellite merger|first=Tim|last=Cuprisin|date=July 20, 2008|newspaper=]|access-date=July 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725025201/http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=774479|archive-date=July 25, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> ], a gay rights group, protested against the ceremony with over 300 protesters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gVVkhOROBhtmO0erIagBCwlYOFpAD924RBS00 |title=Religion News in Brief |date=July 25, 2008 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=July 25, 2008}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | |||
* Australia: Focus on the Family Australia, Clayton, ] | |||
* Canada – ] | |||
* Latin America Region: Enfoque a la Familia, ] | |||
* Middle East Region: Focus on the Family Middle East, ], Egypt | |||
* Indonesia: Fokus Pada Keluarga, ] | |||
* Ireland: Focus on the Family Ireland, ] | |||
* South Korea: Open Family Korea, ] | |||
* Malaysia: Focus on the Family Malaysia, ] | |||
* Singapore: Focus on the Family Singapore<ref>{{cite news|title='Sexist' workshop for students to cease by year-end: MOE|url=http://education.asiaone.com/content/sexist-workshop-students-cease-year-end-moe|accessdate=October 10, 2014|agency=AsiaOne}}</ref> | |||
* Africa Region: Focus on the Family Africa, ], ], South Africa | |||
* Taiwan: Focus on the Family Taiwan, ] | |||
==Headquarters and size== | |||
====Controversy==== | |||
] | |||
The Singapore branch of FotF came under criticism in October 2014 over allegations of sexism and promoting gender stereotypes during their workshops on managing relationships for junior college students. The workshop received a complaint from both a ] student, as well as negative feedback from the college management as being 'ineffective' and will stop by the end of the year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Pearl|title=Hwa Chong: Workshop staff 'ineffective'|url=http://mypaper.sg/top-stories/hwa-chong-workshop-staff-ineffective-20141010|accessdate=September 2, 2015|agency=My Paper}}</ref> | |||
The Focus on the Family headquarters is a four building, {{convert|47|acre|ha|adj=on}}<ref>Martin, Claire. . {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025125343/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DP&p_theme=dp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF4570B45DA641&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |date=October 25, 2012}} '']''. April 23, 2000. F-07. Retrieved on September 17, 2010. "Focus on the Family's sprawling headquarters four buildings on 47 acres of land"</ref> complex located off of ] in northern Colorado Springs, Colorado, with its own ZIP Code (80995).<ref name="Ott2">Ott, Christopher. " {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040130060421/http://www.salon.com/news/1998/07/09news2.html |date=January 30, 2004}}" '']'', July 9, 1998. Retrieved on September 17, 2010.</ref><ref>. Focus on the Family. Retrieved on September 17, 2010.</ref> The buildings consist of the Administration building, International building, Welcome Center and Operations building, and totals 526,070 square feet.<ref>Focus on the Family. . {{dead link|date=July 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} Retrieved on October 18, 2012.</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family's original headquarters were in ] for the initial fourteen years following the time that James Dobson incorporated the company. The organization began with 500 square feet of office space and employed a single part-time secretary, according to the prior director of corporate affairs, Dan Wright. By 1984 Focus of the Family's Arcadia properties occupied 55,000 square feet across three buildings (though prior to a consolidation of their campus, they owned as many as seven indivdual buildings around the city) and employed 320 personnel.<ref name=":7" /> In 1991 Focus moved their headquarters to their current location in Colorado Springs<ref name=":1" /> with 1,200 employees.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} In 2002, the number of employees peaked at 1,400. By September 2011, after years of layoffs, they had 650 employees remaining.<ref>{{cite web |last=Draper |first= Electra|url=http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18912132 |title=Focus on the Family announces more layoffs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105114207/http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_18912132 |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |work=Denver Post |date=September 16, 2011 |access-date= October 19, 2012}}</ref> Christopher Ott of '']'' said in 1998 that the FOTF campus has "handsome new brick buildings, professional landscaping and even its own traffic signs" and that "The buildings and grounds are well-maintained and comfortable. If there is any ostentatious or corrupt influence here, it is nowhere in sight."<ref name="Ott2"/> | |||
==Headquarters== | |||
] | |||
The Focus on the Family headquarters is a four building, {{convert|47|acre|ha|adj=on}}<ref>Martin, Claire. "." '']''. April 23, 2000. F-07. Retrieved on September 17, 2010. "Focus on the Family's sprawling headquarters four buildings on 47 acres of land"</ref> complex located off of ] in northern Colorado Springs, Colorado, with its own ZIP code (80995).<ref name="Ott2">Ott, Christopher. "" '']'', July 9, 1998. Retrieved on September 17, 2010.</ref><ref>"." Focus on the Family. Retrieved on September 17, 2010.</ref> The buildings consist of the Administration building, International building, Welcome Center and Operations building (currently unused), and totals 526,070 square feet.<ref>Focus on the Family. "." Retrieved on October 18, 2012. "What is the square footage of your buildings?"</ref> | |||
Focus on the Family moved to its current headquarters from Pomona, California, in 1993, with 1200 employees. In 2002, the number of employees peaked at 1,400. By September 2011, after a number of years of layoffs, they had 650 employees remaining.<ref>Draper, Electra. "." '']''. September 16, 2011. Retrieved on October 18, 2012. "Focus on the Family announces more layoffs"</ref> Christopher Ott of '']'' said in 1998 that the FOTF campus has "handsome new brick buildings, professional landscaping and even its own traffic signs" and that "The buildings and grounds are well-maintained and comfortable. If there is any ostentatious or corrupt influence here, it is nowhere in sight."<ref name="Ott2"/> | |||
While visiting the Focus on the Family complex, a couple had asked the staff if handling the sightseers in the main building was a distraction. The staff told the couple that it was a distraction; afterwards the couple donated $4 million to have a welcome center built. A visiting family donated {{convert|7|mi|km}} of wood trim from the family's Pennsylvania lumber business so FOTF could build its administration building. As of 1998, James Dobson, in his welcome center film, compares his decision to build the headquarters in Colorado Springs to the founding of the temple in ].<ref name="Ott2"/> | |||
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==See also== | |||
{{Portal|Evangelical Christianity|Conservatism|United States|Colorado}} | |||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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{{Portal|Christianity|Colorado|LGBT|Conservatism}}<!--LGBT because the organization is known for its anti-LGBT advocacy--> | |||
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Latest revision as of 03:52, 24 December 2024
US fundamentalist Protestant Christian organization
Founded | 1977; 47 years ago (1977) California, United States |
---|---|
Founder | James Dobson |
Tax ID no. | 95-3188150 (EIN) |
Location |
|
Area served | 98 countries |
Key people |
|
Revenue | $99,205,813 (2019 FY) |
Employees | 880 (as of 2023) |
Volunteers | 112 |
Website | www |
Focus on the Family (FOTF or FotF) is a fundamentalist Protestant organization founded in 1977 in Southern California by James Dobson, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The group is one of a number of evangelical parachurch organizations that rose to prominence in the 1980s. As of the 2017 tax filing year, Focus on the Family declared itself to be a church, "primarily to protect the confidentiality of our donors." Traditionally, entities considered churches have been ones that have regular worship services and congregants.
It most prominently lobbies against LGBT rights — including those related to marriage, adoption, and parenting — labeling it a "particularly evil lie of Satan". The organization also seeks to change public policy in the areas of sex education, creationism, abortion, state-sponsored school prayer, gambling, drugs, and enforcement of their interpretation of proper gender roles.
The core promotional activities of the organization include the flagship daily radio broadcast currently hosted by its president Jim Daly together with co-host Focus VP John Fuller. Focus also provides free resources in line with the group's views, and publishes books, magazines, videos, and audio recordings.
The organization also produces programs for targeted audiences, such as Adventures in Odyssey and Ribbits! for children, and dramas for other audiences.
History
Origins and Dobson era
From 1977 to 2003, James Dobson served as the sole leader of the organization, which was originally based in Arcadia, California. Dobson and his organization generated significant controversy by taking a different approach to ministry than many other evangelical parachurch organizations, opting to combine its parenting programs with conservative political activism. By 1993, Focus on the Family was receiving approximately 10,000 personal letters and 3,000 phone calls per day by individuals seeking personal assistance from the organization. The organization, and especially James Dobson, wielded significant national influence within the U.S., and particularly among politically conservative Christians and women working within the home. During the 1990s Dobson and Focus on the Family were accused by an early member of the organization of moving away from their original mission of helping families and instead becoming "too political". The organization's cornerstone items included their radio broadcasts as well as other ventures such as their film publishing arm Focus on the Family Films.
In 2003, Donald P. Hodel became president and chief executive officer, tasked with the day-to-day operations. Dobson remained chairman of the board of directors, with chiefly creative and speaking duties. In March 2005, Hodel retired and Jim Daly, formerly the vice president in charge of Focus on the Family's International Division, assumed the role of president and chief executive officer.
By 2007, the executive leadership of the organization reportedly worked to sustain the group's cultural influence by investing more heavily into family programs targeted at younger generations as opposed to only bolstering its political programs favored by James Dobson. As a result of targeting a younger demographic more frequently in digital spaces, the organization reported a decrease in donations, dropping from 755,000 donors in 2004 to 564,000 donors by September 2007.
In the first decade the 2000s, Focus lead abstinence programs both domestically in the U.S. and worldwide. The program, often titled No Apologies, had some success in Muslim-majority countries such as Egypt and Malaysia where the teachings of abstinence aligned with messages of Islam. The program was brought to China with the permission of the Chinese Communist Party, who desired to bring down birth rates at the time.
In November 2008, the organization eliminated 202 jobs, representing 18 percent of its workforce. The organization also cut its budget from $160 million in fiscal 2008 to $138 million for fiscal 2009.
In February 2009, Dobson resigned his chairmanship. He left Focus on the Family in early 2010, and subsequently founded Family Talk as a non-profit organization and launched a new broadcast that began airing nationally on May 3, 2010. He is no longer affiliated with Focus on the Family.
Post-Dobson
In a break from the previous status quo, president Jim Daly purportedly tried to steer the organization away from the same level of political activism that the organization was known for in its initial decades of existence. Daly made connections with figures and organizations that founder Dobson disdained and cut off, such as Democratic United States President Barack Obama, liberal activist Ted Trimpa, and the newspaper The Independent.
On June 23, 2017, Vice President Mike Pence attended the organization's 40th anniversary celebration; at the event, he praised founder James Dobson, stated that then-President Donald Trump was an ally of the organization, and added that the Trump administration supported Focus on the Family's goals (including the abolition of Planned Parenthood). Pence's attendance at the event, along with Focus on the Family's stances on LGBT rights, was criticized by the Human Rights Campaign.
In its IRS Form 990 for Tax Year 2015, dated October 26, 2017, Focus on the Family for the first time declared itself a "church, convention of churches or association of churches", claiming that it was no longer required to file the IRS disclosure form and that the sources and disposition of its $89 million budget were "Not for public inspection". Tax attorney Gail Harmon, who advises nonprofit organizations on tax law, said she found the declaration "shocking", noting that "There's nothing about them that meets the traditional definition of what a church is. They don't have a congregation, they don't have the rites of various parts of a person's life." A spokesperson for the organization stated that it changed its status "primarily to protect the confidentiality of our donors". By 2023, the organization had offices in 14 countries and partnerships in 60 countries, for an international presence in 98 countries.
Programs
Wait No More
Focus on the Family's Wait No More ministry works with adoption agencies, church leaders and ministry partners to recruit families to adopt children from foster care. In Colorado, the number of children waiting for adoption dropped from approximately 800 to 350 persons, due in part to the efforts of Wait No More. Focus on the Family's efforts to encourage adoption among Christian families is part of a larger effort by Evangelicals to, in their perception, live out what they see as the "biblical mandate" to help children.
Option Ultrasound Program
Focus on the Family's Option Ultrasound Program (OUP) provides grants to crisis pregnancy centers to pay the cost of ultrasound machines or sonography training. Focus on the Family began OUP in 2004 with the goal of convincing women not to have abortions. FOTF officials said that ultrasound services help a woman better understand her pregnancy and baby's development, creating an important "bonding opportunity" between "mother and unborn child".
In 2011, FOTF announced that they would like to talk with pro-choice groups like Planned Parenthood to work towards the shared goal of making abortion less common. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) introduced a sonogram bill in 2011 and, citing Focus on the Family, told Congress that "78 percent of women who see and hear the fetal heartbeat choose life." She was later corrected by Focus on the Family, which released a statement saying they did not release such data. A study released in February 2012 showed that ultrasounds do not have a direct impact on an abortion decision.
Boundless.org
Boundless.org is Focus on the Family's website for young adults ages 18–34 featuring articles, a blog, a podcast, and a conference. The site has been classified as a webzine, and originally included a moderated forum for young adults to exchange thoughts and ideas about topics relevant to them without being dictated what they should believe by an "authoritarian tone". The website covers topics such as singleness, dating, relationships, popular culture, career, and sex.
Plugged In
Plugged In is a Focus on the Family publication and associated website created for families that reviews magazines, newspaper comics, films, books, music, and TV and radio shows. As of 2007 it was one of their most popular products, and reviews were offered to members through both their website and through text messages.
Day of Dialogue
Main article: Day of DialogueThe Day of Dialogue was a student event which took place April 16. Since 2018 the event is no longer marked on a single date, or organized nationally. Founders described the goal of the event, created in opposition to the anti-bullying and anti-homophobic Day of Silence, as "encouraging honest and respectful conversation among students about God's design for sexuality." It was previously known as the Day of Truth and was founded by the Alliance Defense Fund in 2005. In 2007, Exodus International began supporting the Day of Truth, an event created by Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) in 2005 that challenges homosexuality. In 2009, the ADF announced they had passed on their leadership role for the event to Exodus. In October 2010, Exodus announced they would no longer support the event. President Alan Chambers stated they realised they needed to "equip kids to live out biblical tolerance and grace while treating their neighbors as they'd like to be treated, whether they agree with them or not", adding that the Day of Truth was becoming too divisive. Chambers said that Exodus had not changed its position on homosexuality, rather they were reevaluating how to best communicate their message. Focus on the Family subsequently took leadership of the event, and renamed it the Day of Dialogue.
National Day of Prayer
Main article: National Day of Prayer Task ForceThe National Day of Prayer Task Force is an American evangelical conservative Christian non-profit organization which organizes, coordinates, and presides over Evangelical Christian religious observances each year on the National Day of Prayer. The website of the NDP Task Force states that "its business affairs are separate" from those of Focus on the Family, but also that "between 1990 and 1993, Focus on the Family did provide grants in support of the NDP Task Force" and that "Focus on the Family is compensated for services rendered." Shirley Dobson, wife of James Dobson, was chairwoman of the NDP Task Force from 1991 until 2016, when Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, assumed the post.
Radio Theatre
Radio Theatre is a program run by Focus on the Family that makes both original and adapted radio dramas. Much of the staff involved with Adventures in Odyssey is also involved with Radio Theatre such as Paul McCusker. They have made adaptations of many novels including Les Miserables and Anne of Green Gables as well as an adaptation of the complete Chronicles of Narnia. Radio Theatre often hires famous actors to be a part of their adaptations such as Andy Serkis.
Former ministries
Family Life Seminars
One of Focus on the Family's earliest ministries, Family Life Seminars were speaking events hosted by James Dobson in the 1970s. To reduce the time that the events were taking Dobson away from his own family, the seminars were eventually recorded and released as a seven-part film series. The film series then in turn inspired a television program based on the films.
Love Won Out
Main article: Love Won OutFocus on the Family formed Love Won Out, an ex-gay ministry in 1998. In 2009, it was sold to Exodus International.
Political positions and activities
Focus on the Family's 501(c)(3) status prevents them from advocating any individual political candidate, though it has permitted them to spend up to a certain amount on other political activities such as lobbying and voter education. Focus on the Family has an affiliated group, Family Policy Alliance, though the two groups are legally separate. As a 501(c)(4) social welfare group, Family Policy Alliance has fewer political lobbying restrictions. FOTF's revenue in 2012 was US$90.5 million, and that of Family Policy Alliance (formerly CitizenLink) was US$8 million. By 2023, Family Policy Alliance and its network of local state councils were generating over $40 million of revenue.
Focus on the Family, through its partnership with Family Policy Alliance, strongly advocates for legislation against transgender rights, including crafted policies which oppose the consensus of medical experts who work with the transgender community.
Focus on the Family maintains a strong stand against abortion, and provides grant funding and medical training to assist crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs; also known as pregnancy resource centers) in obtaining ultrasound machines. According to the organization, this funding, which has allowed CPCs to provide pregnant women with live sonogram images of the developing fetus, has led directly to the birth of over 1500 babies who would have otherwise been aborted. The organization has been staunchly opposed to public funding for elective abortions.
Focus on the Family has been a prominent supporter of the pseudoscience of intelligent design, publishing pro-intelligent design articles in its Citizen magazine and selling intelligent design videos on its website. Focus on the Family co-published the intelligent design videotape Unlocking the Mystery of Life with the Discovery Institute, hub of the intelligent design movement.
In New Zealand, Focus on the Family supported a Citizens Initiated Referendum on the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961, which placed limits on the physical disciplining of children.
Focus on the Family Singapore came under criticism in October 2014 over allegations of sexism and promoting gender stereotypes during their workshops on managing relationships for junior college students. The workshop received a complaint from both a Hwa Chong Junior College student, as well as negative feedback from the college management as being 'ineffective' and stopped before the end of the year.
Following the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Focus on the Family published an article on its Daily Citizen site urging conservative Christians to engage in a "cultural civil war" against "radical abortion laws" implemented in left-leaning states. This added to speculation that political violence similar to the January 6th attacks could be accepted or encouraged on the grounds of opposing abortion rights.
2008 presidential campaign
In the 2008 United States presidential election, Focus on the Family shifted from supporting Mike Huckabee, to not supporting any candidate, to accepting the Republican ticket once Sarah Palin was added. Prior to the election, a television and letter campaign was launched predicting terrorist attacks in four U.S. cities and equating the U.S. with Nazi Germany. This publicity was condemned by the Anti-Defamation League. Within a month before the general election, Focus on the Family began distributing a 16-page letter titled Letter from 2012 in Obama's America, which describes an imagined American future in which "many of our freedoms have been taken away by a liberal Supreme Court of the United States and a majority of Democrats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate." According to USA Today, the letter "is part of an escalation in rhetoric from Christian right activists" trying to paint Democratic Party presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama in a negative light.
Focus on the Family Action supported Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) in his successful December 2, 2008, runoff election win. The organization, according to the Colorado Independent, donated $35,310 in radio ads to the Chambliss runoff campaign effort. As the Independent reports, the Focus-sponsored ads were aired in about a dozen Georgia markets. The commercials were produced in the weeks after Focus laid off 202 employees, some 20 percent of its workforce, because of the national economic crisis.
Opposition to LGBTQ rights
One of Focus on the Family's notable political stances is its strong opposition to same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.
The organization has referred to the LGBT rights movement as a "particularly evil lie of Satan".
Focus on the Family founder James Dobson drew criticism for using the group to oppose homosexual members in the United States Military. Similarly, Dobson and the organization supported a 1992 amendment to the Colorado constitution which stopped laws that allowed for protections from LGBTQ discrimination.
Dobson spoke at the 2004 rally against gay marriage called Mayday for Marriage. The event marked the first time that Dobson publicly endorsed a presidential candidate, George W. Bush. During the event he denounced the Supreme Court rulings in favor of gay rights, and he urged rally participants to vote so that the battle against gay rights could be won in the Senate.
In an interview with Christianity Today, Dobson also explained that he was not in favor of civil unions. He stated that generally agreed civil unions were merely same-sex marriage under a different name. He claimed his main priority in opposing the same-sex marriage movement was first and foremost to define marriage on the federal level as being exclusive between a man and a woman, and that afterward he wished to combat the passage of civil unions on a state-by-state basis.
Civil rights advocacy groups identify Focus on the Family as a major opponent of gay rights. The Southern Poverty Law Center, a civil rights and hate group monitoring organization, described Focus on the Family as one of a "dozen major groups help drive the religious right's anti-gay crusade". The SPLC does not list Focus on the Family as a hate group, however, since it opposes homosexuality "on strictly Biblical grounds".
Focus on the Family was a member of ProtectMarriage.com, a coalition formed to sponsor California Proposition 8, a ballot initiative to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples, which passed in 2008, but was subsequently struck down as being unconstitutional by a federal court in Perry v. Schwarzenegger.
Misrepresentation of research
Social scientists have criticized Focus on the Family for misrepresenting their research in order to bolster its own perspective. Researcher Judith Stacey, whose work was used by Focus on the Family to claim that gays and lesbians do not make good parents, said that the claim was "a direct misrepresentation of the research". She elaborated, "Whenever you hear Focus on the Family, legislators or lawyers say, 'Studies prove that children do better in families with a mother and a father,' they are referring to studies which compare two-parent heterosexual households to single-parent households. The studies they are talking about do not cite research on families headed by gay and lesbian couples." FOTF claimed that Stacey's allegation was without merit and that their position is that the best interests of children are served when there is a father and a mother. "We haven't said anything about sexual orientation", said Glenn Stanton.
James Dobson cited the research of Kyle Pruett and Carol Gilligan in a Time magazine guest article in the service of a claim that two women cannot raise a child; upon finding out that her work had been used in this way, Gilligan wrote a letter to Dobson asking him to apologize and to cease and desist from citing her work, describing herself as "mortified to learn that you had distorted my work ... Not only did you take my research out of context, you did so without my knowledge to support discriminatory goals that I do not agree with ... there is nothing in my research that would lead you to draw the stated conclusions you did in the Time article." Pruett wrote a similar letter, in which he said that Dobson "cherry-picked a phrase to shore up highly (in my view) discriminatory purposes. This practice is condemned in real science, common though it may be in pseudo-science circles. There is nothing in my longitudinal research or any of my writings to support such conclusions", and asked that FOTF not cite him again without permission.
After Elizabeth Saewyc's research on teen suicide was used by Focus on the Family to promote conversion therapy she said that "the research has been hijacked for somebody's political purposes or ideological purposes and that's worrisome", and that research in fact linked the suicide rate among LGBT teens to harassment, discrimination, and closeting. Other scientists who have criticized Focus on the Family for misrepresenting their findings include Robert Spitzer, Gary Remafedi, and Angela Phillips.
Football advertisements
In 2010, Focus on the Family bought ad time during Super Bowl XLIV to air a commercial featuring Heisman Trophy winning Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow and his mother, Pam. In the ad, Pam described Tim as a "miracle baby" who "almost didn't make it into this world", and further elaborated that "with all our family's been through, we have to be tough" (after which Pam was promptly tackled by Tim). The ad directed viewers to the organization's website.
Women's rights groups asked CBS not to air the then-unseen ad, arguing that it was divisive. Planned Parenthood released a video response of its own featuring fellow NFL player Sean James. The claim that Tebow's family chose not to perform an abortion was also widely criticized; critics felt that the claim was implausible because it would be unlikely for doctors to recommend the procedure because abortion is illegal in the Philippines. CBS's decision to run the ad was also criticized for deviating from its past policy to reject advocacy-type ads during the Super Bowl, including ads by left-leaning groups such as PETA, MoveOn.org and the United Church of Christ (which wanted to run an ad that was pro-same-sex marriage). However, CBS stated that "we have for some time moderated our approach to advocacy submissions after it became apparent that our stance did not reflect public sentiment or industry norms on the issue."
Focus on the Family produced another commercial which ran during the second quarter of the January 14, 2012 Denver Broncos-New England Patriots AFC Divisional Playoff broadcast on CBS, featuring children reciting the Bible verse John 3:16. The ad did not generate nearly the amount of controversy that surrounded the Super Bowl commercial. It did gain some national media attention, and president Jim Daly stated in a press release that its purpose was to "help everyone understand some numbers are more important than the ones on the scoreboard."
Recognition and awards
In 2008, Dobson's Focus on the Family program was nominated for induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame. Nominations were made by the 157 members of the Hall of Fame and voting on inductees was handed over to the public using online voting. The nomination drew the ire of gay rights activists, who launched efforts to have the program removed from the nominee list and to vote for other nominees to prevent Focus from winning. However, on July 18, 2008, it was announced that the program had won and would be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in a ceremony on November 8, 2008. Truth Wins Out, a gay rights group, protested against the ceremony with over 300 protesters.
Headquarters and size
The Focus on the Family headquarters is a four building, 47-acre (19 ha) complex located off of Interstate 25 in northern Colorado Springs, Colorado, with its own ZIP Code (80995). The buildings consist of the Administration building, International building, Welcome Center and Operations building, and totals 526,070 square feet.
Focus on the Family's original headquarters were in Arcadia, California for the initial fourteen years following the time that James Dobson incorporated the company. The organization began with 500 square feet of office space and employed a single part-time secretary, according to the prior director of corporate affairs, Dan Wright. By 1984 Focus of the Family's Arcadia properties occupied 55,000 square feet across three buildings (though prior to a consolidation of their campus, they owned as many as seven indivdual buildings around the city) and employed 320 personnel. In 1991 Focus moved their headquarters to their current location in Colorado Springs with 1,200 employees. In 2002, the number of employees peaked at 1,400. By September 2011, after years of layoffs, they had 650 employees remaining. Christopher Ott of Salon said in 1998 that the FOTF campus has "handsome new brick buildings, professional landscaping and even its own traffic signs" and that "The buildings and grounds are well-maintained and comfortable. If there is any ostentatious or corrupt influence here, it is nowhere in sight."
See also
References
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such as Focus on the Family, an organization that provides advice on familial and social issues from a fundamentalist Protestant...
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External links
- Official website
- FOTF Programs via Streaming Audio
- Focus on the Family New Zealand
- Boundless Webzine
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