James Dobson, the evangelical founder of Focus on the Family, is cutting ties with the organization after more than 30 years. He stepped down as Chairman earlier this year, and last Friday announced that he would also be quitting as host of its flagship radio show.
Dobson has led the attack on LGBT families in the US by falsely depicting gays and lesbians as a threat to the family. Through Focus on the Family, he has been at the forefront of political and religious efforts to deny gays dignity and basic rights. He has shown himself to be not above fabrication and distortion in pursuit of victory in the “culture war.”
Despite having a PhD in Child Psychology, Dr Dobson has been a fervent supporter of the ex-gay movement, whose psychological and therapeutic approaches are not supported by the American Psychological Association or any other major psychological or psychiatric association. Focus on the Family had its own ex-gay ministry, Love Won Out, until August this year.
So while he will be missed by his 220-million-strong global audience, he will not be missed by the millions of gays and lesbians whose characters, lives and families have been regularly assaulted by his homophobic rhetoric.
Thank goodness, hopefully he can go ahead and fade into obscurity as soon as possible!
My fear of Sunday night Christian radio will never be the same.
Mr. Dobson…don’t let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya!
According to the Australian paper Star Observer Mercy Ministries Australia’s program is now closed – and definitely did ex-gay therapy.
https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2009/11/03/mercy-ministries-closes/17874
John Weaver, thanks for the tips (we always need these). When they are off topic, please put them in either one of our digest threads (at least one of those each week) or send them to me at david@exgaywatch.com. Thanks!
Thanks, Dave. I didn’t know where to put them.
WoW. I hate to say this But I am so glad He will be gone. I have been so hurt by the UPCI. I am so tired of this DOUBLE STANDARD. Our organzation has GAY Folks all up in the Ministry and it is over looked as long as you are married to a woman. So sad. I had enough of this Dobson guy and his BASHING. It is very upsetting. People Need The Lord, Not a BASHER.
We were all created to worship Jesus Christ. Our Gay communties need to Stick together and Pray for those who BASH our souls and Pray for this Dobson guy. Maybe there is a story there. The ones that call out from the Pulpit are usually Gay themselves. Once a Minister Called me out in the Church and said that all those women praying with me better beware that my gay spirit does not Jump on them. CHRIST WOULD NEVER SAY ANYthing Like that to anyone. How sad.
You’re right, Daniel, that was not the voice of Christ. I am so sorry that you felt such rejection and ignorance. On behalf of the Church, I am sorry and ask for your forgiveness.
-Shawn