Focus on the Family

Focus on the Family
Name	Focus on the Family
Founded	1977
Founder	James Dobson
Headquarters	Colorado Springs, Colorado
Key people	Jim Daly
Website	https://www.focusonthefamily.com/

Focus on the Family is a prominent evangelical Christian ministry based in the United States. Founded by psychologist James Dobson, it has grown into a major multimedia organization producing radio programs, films, and publications. Its mission centers on promoting conservative Christian values related to family structure, parenting, and social policy, making it a significant voice in the Christian right movement. The organization's advocacy on political issues has frequently placed it at the center of national debates.

History and founding

The organization was founded in 1977 by James Dobson, a psychologist and author of the bestselling book Dare to Discipline. Initially operating from Arcadia, California, its early work involved producing radio broadcasts and offering family counseling advice rooted in biblical literalism. The ministry relocated its headquarters to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1991, a move that coincided with its expansion into a vast media and publishing enterprise. Under Dobson's leadership, it became a cornerstone of the Moral Majority coalition, influencing the political landscape during the Presidency of Ronald Reagan and beyond.

Mission and core beliefs

Its mission is to nurture and defend the traditional family unit as ordained by the Bible. Core beliefs include the sanctity of heterosexual marriage, the value of pro-life stances beginning at conception, and the importance of parents, particularly fathers, in biblically-based leadership roles. The organization's teachings often reference specific scriptural interpretations from the New Testament and the Old Testament to support its views on gender roles, sexuality, and morality. It actively opposes cultural trends it perceives as undermining these principles, such as the legalization of same-sex marriage and the advancement of LGBT rights.

Programs and outreach

It produces a wide array of content, including the long-running daily radio program heard on stations across the American Family Radio network. Its multimedia division creates films like the Adventures in Odyssey series and publishes magazines such as Focus on the Family Clubhouse. The organization operates counseling services, provides resources for crisis pregnancy centers, and hosts events like the Wait No More initiative promoting adoption. International affiliates extend its reach to countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.

Political and social advocacy

The organization engages extensively in political advocacy through its public policy arm, Focus on the Family Action, and its affiliated political group, the Family Research Council. It has lobbied for the appointment of conservative judges to the Supreme Court of the United States and supported legislation like the Defense of Marriage Act. Key advocacy areas include opposing the Equal Rights Amendment, promoting religious liberty cases such as Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, and supporting anti-abortion measures at the state and federal level. Its leaders frequently testify before committees in the United States Congress.

Criticism and controversy

It has faced sustained criticism from organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center, which has labeled its affiliated groups as hate groups for their positions on LGBTQ issues. Critics, such as the Americans United for Separation of Church and State, accuse it of seeking to impose a specific theocratic worldview on civil law. Its staunch opposition to comprehensive sex education and its historical support for conversion therapy have been condemned by medical associations like the American Psychological Association. Financial practices and political expenditures have also been scrutinized by watchdog groups including Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington.

Leadership and organization

James Dobson served as president and chairman until 2003, remaining a prominent voice until his departure from the board in 2010. Current leadership is headed by president Jim Daly, who assumed the role in 2005 and has sought to broaden the organization's appeal while maintaining its core doctrines. The ministry is governed by a board of directors comprising figures from the evangelical community and business sector. Major operational divisions are located at its campus in Colorado Springs, with satellite offices in Washington, D.C. and other cities influencing policy and media outreach.

Category:Christian organizations based in the United States Category:Evangelicalism in the United States Category:Organizations based in Colorado Springs, Colorado