Evangelical leader Dobson leaving radio show
James Dobson, the voice of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family since its inception, is leaving the organization’s flagship daily radio broadcast.
Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger says Dobson will go off the air at the end of February. He said Friday it was a mutual decision of Dobson and the board, and that more details are forthcoming.
Dobson, 73, a strong voice in conservative Christian politics, has taken on a reduced role at Focus on the Family as part of a succession plan. He resigned as president in 2003, and as board chairman in February.
The evangelical group recently laid off staff because of a decline in donations.
Posted on October 30, 2009 at 3:02 pm by Joel · Permalink
In: Religious News · Tagged with: focus on the family, james dobson, religious right
In: Religious News · Tagged with: focus on the family, james dobson, religious right
on October 30, 2009 at 3:19 pm
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Do you think there’s a direct link to his reduced role and the decreased donations? A lot of organizations should watch how Focus on the Family handles this “transition” to learn the lessons.
Right or wrong, the fact is that many people give to a person, not necessarily a cause.
on October 30, 2009 at 4:52 pm
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I know that last Christmas, he laid off a few workers due to lack of donations. Then months later, he reduced his role. Not sure what else is going on.
on October 30, 2009 at 4:25 pm
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Will i sound unChristian-like if i say im glad?
Years ago i loved listening to his daily program. They were both uplifting and thought provoking. But somewhere along the way Dobson changed and so did his daily programs. He and the programs become centered around “causes”…and how to legislate morality.
So I stopped tuning in..
on October 30, 2009 at 4:54 pm
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Amen and amen
on October 30, 2009 at 9:40 pm
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I agree. There once was a time when his show focused on … well, … the family.
When he left that for politics, the show went downhill.
on October 30, 2009 at 6:05 pm
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dobson, like robertson, needed to go years ago.
on October 30, 2009 at 6:09 pm
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Amen to that!
on October 30, 2009 at 6:26 pm
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double amen to that
on October 30, 2009 at 6:09 pm
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Like the above readers, commentors, I did the same thing. Tuned him out when he became a political voice rather than a spiritual teacher. He used to be very interesting and good to listen to, then he became a shrill and not at all christ-like with his rantings.
on October 30, 2009 at 7:55 pm
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[...] – Evangelical leader Dobson leaving radio show – about time. One of the main people responsible for turning evangelical Christianity from [...]
on October 30, 2009 at 8:26 pm
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on October 31, 2009 at 9:09 am
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Unlike you all, I am sad to see him go. He and his ministry have been very helpful to millions. I think he’s been more right than not in matters of morality and even politics. He will be greatly missed.
Other ministries have transitioned successfully from the founder to someone else. The ministry God used Dr Dobson to found will continue, but it is the end of an era.
on October 31, 2009 at 9:48 am
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I am happy to see the political arm go. As others have said, when he turned to politics – although for a time, I too believed like he – he really forget the family.
on October 31, 2009 at 9:59 am
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I think the political arm will continue also. And I think it should.
If liberals can try to influence politics so can conservatives.
on November 2, 2009 at 4:02 am
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James Dobson is a murderer dozens of times over. By demanding that families cut off and estrange themselves from their gay children and by telling gay children that they could not have the love and acceptance of God unless they denied their own beings, he has directly caused countless suicides. He belongs in prison and in bankruptcy court for his massive malpractice, instead of getting to exit gracefully. Responsible professional associations have all denounced his senseless cruelty. Shame on him for the monster he is and shame on those who support him.
on November 2, 2009 at 9:21 am
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Danielle, while I do not agree with Dobson on a number of issues, I think it a bit harsh to call him a murderer. This is the same type of language which the extreme Right uses on the President on those on the Left.
on November 2, 2009 at 10:17 pm
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To many people on the right wing think they are just expressing their opinion and that it is all just a friendly game among adults. This is BS. The end result of hateful rhetoric is that real actual humans lose their lives. I lived through all those years when the U.S. would not spend a dime on AIDS research and Ronald Reagan would not even say the word AIDS in public and the end result was that I saw every other one of my male acquaintances die in a five year period; like a wildfire burning up an entire generation of beautiful young men. I am tired of seeing my friends, lovers and family members die senselessly. You need to realize what is really at stake here and place the responsibility for all these lost live where it belongs; squarely on Dobson and his hateful ilk.
on November 2, 2009 at 10:40 pm
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Danielle, as my readers know, I am not on the right – but I have a difficult time placing the blame squarely on one powerless man, especially when people must make the decisions themselves. However, let me say that Dobson – I haven’t heard the rhetoric that you have – if he has said such things, he will be held accountable for every idle and hurtful word. Yes, Reagan didn’t help, and hurt more than many realize, but again, he made the decisions.
Look, I think that many of these people do spew hatespeech, but in the end, while their speech is wrong, the actions I commit because of the speech is my fault.