Focus on the Family
Focus on the Family (FOTF or FotF) is a fundamentalist Protestant[3] organization founded in 1977 in Southern California by James Dobson, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[4] 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.[5]
"Plugged In" redirects here. For the Dave Edmunds album, see Plugged In (album). For the freestyle series, see Plugged In Freestyle.Founded
1977
California, United States
95-3188150 (EIN)
- 8605 Explorer Dr
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920, United States
98 countries
- Jim Daly
- (president and CEO)
- John Fuller
- (VP audio division)
- Paul Batura
- (VP communications)
- Tim Goeglein
- (VP external and governmental relations)
- Robyn Chambers
- (executive director, advocacy for children)
880 (as of 2023)[2]
112
It most prominently lobbies against LGBT rights — including those related to marriage, adoption, and parenting — labeling it a "particularly evil lie of Satan".[6][7] 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.[8][9][10]
The core promotional activities of the organization include the flagship daily radio broadcast 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.
Programs[edit]
Marriage and family[edit]
One of Focus on the Family's notable political stances is its strong opposition to same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships.[25]
The organization has referred to the LGBT rights movement as a "particularly evil lie of Satan".[6]
Wait No More[edit]
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.[26] 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.[27] 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.[28]
Option Ultrasound Program[edit]
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".[29]
A study released in February 2012 shows that ultrasounds do not have a direct impact on an abortion decision.[30] 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.[31] 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.[32][30]: 1
Boundless.org[edit]
Boundless.org is Focus on the Family's website for young adults[33] ages 18–34[16] 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".[16] The website covers topics such as singleness, dating, relationships, popular culture, career, and sex.[34]
Plugged In[edit]
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.[35] 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.[16]
Recognition and awards[edit]
In 2008, Dobson's Focus on the Family program was nominated for induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame.[91] 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.[92] 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.[93][94] 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.[95] Truth Wins Out, a gay rights group, protested against the ceremony with over 300 protesters.[96]