Focus on the familily is a political organization masquerading as a relgious organization

Focus on the Family Bookstore in Colorado Spri...

Focus on the Family Bookstore in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: James Dobson.

English: James Dobson. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: The Christian flag flies outside the ...

English: The Christian flag flies outside the Focus on the Family headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Español: La bandera christiana – La sede de Enfoque a la Familia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Focus on the Family Welcome Center in...

English: Focus on the Family Welcome Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Español: El “Welcome Center” de Enfoque a la Familia en Colorado Springs (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Focus on the Family's Whit's End in Colorado S...

Focus on the Family’s Whit’s End in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Focus on the Family Administration Bu...

English: Focus on the Family Administration Building in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA. Español: Edificio de la administración del Enfoque a la Familia en Colorado Springs, Colorado, EEUU (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Before you write off Focus on the Family as some sort of fringe group, you have to understand that this fringe group has achieved main stream acceptance around the world and they have vast media resources that constantly pump out their distorted lies and wishful thinking. They have supporters their political efforts have installed in our congress and in many state houses to do the bidding of James Dobson their king maker. Remember Sarah Palin? Dobson’s choice. FoF is a political organization masquerading as a tax free religious organization.

James Dobson is the creator of a vile series of parenting books that advocate old testament treatment of small vulnerable children. To include “switching” babies. He claims all children are born evil based on old testament notions of original sin. The evil must be beaten out of them. No matter how stupid that sounds, he is absolutely serious and many ignorant people willfully follow him and his stupidity.

The physical punishment of children is not simply a harmless parental choice. Years of social research have established the clear links between hitting and humiliating children and their subsequent anti-social behavior and lifelong mental problems. But the FoF crowd doesn’t cotton to fancy notions of scientists, never mind their careful patient examinations.

The following is from the wikipedia entry. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_on_the_Family)

[quote]

International associates and regional offices

New Zealand

Focus on the Family New Zealand logo pictured in original

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 Citizens Initiated Referendum on the repeal of section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961.[75]

Other countries

Headquarters

Photo appears in the original article.
The Administration Building is one of four on the headquarters campus

The Focus on the Family headquarters is a four building complex47-acre (19 ha)[77] located off of Interstate 25 in northern Colorado Springs, Colorado.[78][79]

As of 1998 the entire Focus on the Family headquarters property had over 77 acres (31 ha) of land. 1,300 employees work in the complex,[78] which has its own ZIP code (80995).[78][80] 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.”[78]

The headquarters includes the Focus on the Family Welcome Center. 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 7 miles (11 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 Jerusalem.[78]
[/quote]
You can read an extensive report on James Dobson, researched and compiled by People For the American Way:
The web site maintained by People for the American Way Foundation, published a comprehensive report on James Dobson that every American should read. Not only does Dobson promote secretive, devious and dishonest political practices, but he is directly responsible for misinforming thousands of gullible parents who maltreat their children based on his warped notions of parenting. He is a menace to our society and a warning to us all how dangerous it is to pay unthinking respect to religion. Men like Dobson trade on the trust people offer in good faith only to be stabbed in the back.[quote]Dobson’s Choice: Religious Right Leader Becomes Political Power Broker

A report by People for the American Way Foundation

Table of Contents

Introduction
It Begins with a Dare
The Dobson Empire
Turning Listeners into Lobbyists
Dobson and the GOP: When Is Far-Right Far Enough?
2004: Power and Prejudice
The Senate as Means to an End
Celebrations and Threats
Conclusion
Endnotes

Introduction

Focus on the Family founder and chairman James Dobson is perhaps the most influential right-wing Christian leader in the country, with a huge and loyal following that he can reach easily through an impressive media empire. He is a household name for millions of parents and families who have come to know him through his parenting advice books and videos. He is increasingly using his goodwill and media access to promote far-right politics and politicians, and to push the Republican Party to more vigorously adopt the Religious Right’s social agenda. Yet many Americans probably heard of him for the first time in January thanks to SpongeBob SquarePants. When Dobson argued that an educational video featuring a number of popular children’s cartoon characters advanced the homosexual agenda, he was ridiculed for “outing” SpongeBob.[1] In fact, Dobson wasn’t asserting that SpongeBob is gay, but that teaching children to be tolerant of those different from themselves, particularly gays and lesbians, is a sinister proposition.[2]

Dobson’s stance – equating tolerance with evil – reflects the extremism of his policy positions and his unforgiving stance toward those who disagree with him. While his comments about SpongeBob were deserving of ridicule, Dobson must not be dismissed as a buffoon. In fact, it is urgently important that journalists and other Americans pay closer attention to the positions Dobson promotes – and his influence with the politicians he is helping get elected.

Go here to continue reading:
http://www.pfaw.org/media-center/publications/dobson-s-choice-religious-right-leader-becomes-political-power-broker

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Media coverage of and commentary on Gregory Paul’s research

Religious affiliation within each state that h...

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MEDIA COVERAGE OF AND COMMENTARY ON GSP RESEARCH

ANALYSIS –

Gregory Paul on Religion
Domain-of-Darwin at Deviant Art blog 12/29/09

Are We Better Off Without Religion?
Susan Blackmore The Guardian 12/8/09

Who Needs God When We’ve Got Mammon?
David Villano Miller-McCune 11/24/09
[alternet.org article Is Religion Hurting America?]

Why Evolution is True
Jerry Coyne (University of Chicago) at Atheist Alliance International conference 10/3/09

[Minutes 41:00-48:00 & 54:00-57:00 are a practical demonstation of how GSP's research is beginning
to radically transform the evolution versus creation debate from the long static discussion about
science and education to the new, dynamic issue of scientifically and socioeconomically reforming the
U.S. to produce a better nation.)

Greg Paul Elaborates On Healthcare and Religion
Dorene Braun  Examiner 10/19/09

What Healthcare Reform Really Means For the U.S.
Dorene Braun  Examiner 9/23/09

Does Prosperity Entail the End of God?
Ronald Bailey  Reason 9/18/09

Science, Religion Debated As Evangelical Takes Top NIH Post
Dan Vergano  USA Today 9/11/09

Is Religiosity Beneficial in Affluent First World Nations? (press release)
Evolutionary Psychology Journal 8/31/09

Religion in the United States and Other Nations
Art Hobson NWA Times 8/29/09

(Un)wired for God
Sharon Begley Newsweek 8/13/09 print 8/24-31/09: 30 09

An Atheist Asks, 'Does Religion Cause Immorality?'
Hugh Kramer Examiner 8/7/09

America, Land of the Free Thinkers
Tom Flynn Washington Post - On Faith 3/11/09

Disbelief About Belief
Tom Flynn Washington Post - On Faith 2/8/09

Evolution: Unfinished Business
The Economist 2/5/09

Baylor Religion Survey Under Dispute
Sommer Ingram The Lariat 2/4/09

Humanist Group Claims Baylor Religion Survey Flawed
Katherine Phan Christian Post 2/4/09

Council for Secular Humanism Rips Baylor Survey on U.S. and Religion
Sam Hodges  Dallas Morning News 2/3/09

Faith Hurts
PZ Meyers Pharyngula 11/22/08

Does Religion Make You Nice? Does Atheism Make You Mean?
Paul Bloom Slate 11/7/08

What Good is God?
Helen Phillips New Scientist 9/1/07

God and Good Behavior
Gwynne Dyer The Jerusalem Post 3/21/07

[A revealing comment was posted at bumpersticker.wordpress.com/2007/03/22/does-religion-do-more-
harm-than-good]

Bowling for God
Michael Shermer Scientific American 12/06

Religious Belief and Societal Health: New Study Reveals That Religion Leads to a Healthier Society
Matthew Provonska Skeptic Magazine 12(3)/06

[Featured on-line article]

To the Church, He’s Public Enemy No. 1: Researcher of Religion’s Link to Social Ills Comes Under Withering Attack
Alex Johnson MSNBC Online 12/15/05

[Also on-air MSNBC appearance by Johnson on 12/16]

Does Religion Increase Social Dysfunction?
J Manny Daily Kos 11/17/05

Religion Does Great Harm to Society: A Report Written by Scientist Gregory Paul Has Provoked a Lot of Heated Debate in the U.S.
Amalia Iaanaduioc Ta Nea (Largest Greek daily)  10/22/05

Religion Harms U.S.: Gregory Paul Sees Relationship Between Religion and Societal Dysfunction
Tom-Jan Meeus NRC Handelsblad (Netherlands) 10/12/05

Religion + Higher Abortion Rate? U.S. Researcher Sees a Link
Leslie Scrivener  The Toronto Star 10/9/05

More Religion Equals More Problems, Study Says
Kay Campbell The Huntsville Times 10/7/05


[Picked up by Associated Press.]

The Dark Side of Religion Shown by Creighton University Study
AOL News 10/4/05

Study Says Belief in God May Contribute To Society’s Dysfunctions
Julia Limb The World Today Australia  9/28/05

[Or hear the audio report including GSP commentary in MP3, Windows Media, Real Audio.]

Societies Worse Off ‘When They Have God On Their Side


Ruth Gledhill The London Times 9/27/05

[Widely reprinted in The Australian, World Wide Religion News, etc. Most e-mailed article on the London
Times
website, initiated international coverage of the JR&S paper.]

OP-EDS –

Why is Land of the Faithful Pockmarked with Varied Ills
Martin Dyckman St. Petersburg Times 10/30/05

Religion: Harmful for Society?
Zenit News Service/Catholic Online 10/15-16/05

So That’s the Reason
Theodore Dalrymple The Wall Street Journal 10/14/05

Religion May Be Dangerous To Our Health
Lee Salisbury Dissident Voice 10/11/05

My Heroes Are Driven By God, But I’m Glad My Society Isn’t
George Monbiot The Guardian 10/11/05
Also the AlterNet

Gallup Organization Refutes Story Saying “Societies Worse Off ‘When They Have God on Their Side’ “
David Virtue VirtueOnline 10/10/05

[Not actually from the Gallup organization, is from George Gallup Jr., who after his letter to the London
Times
was rejected, posted it on this right wing blog. Gallup Jr. has stated that "When I ask a question
on these subjects, what I'm always trying to find out is: 'Are we doing the will of God?," "The world
knows a lot about Jesus, but do they know him? It is for the churches to seize this moment, to take the
vague spirituality of the day and turn it into faith that is solid and transformative," and "We know so little
about mystical experiences, yet the religious dynamic is perhaps the most powerful of all in American
culture. This is a way to unite our country on a deep level and produce a more peaceful
world." (www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/139/31.0.html)]

Correlation of Christian Ethics, Social Ills Knocks Advocates From Knees To Backside
Emily Maguire Sydney Morning Herald 10/4/05

The Dark Side of Faith: It’s Official: Too Much Faith May Be a Dangerous Thing
Rosa Brooks  The Los Angeles Times 10/1/05

[Most e-mailed article on the Los Angeles Times website, led to appearance on MSNBC by Brooks
10/6/05.]

INTERVIEWS/LECTURES

Universal Healthcare Promotes Freethought

Freethought Radio & Podcast Interview  9/19/09

The Big Religion Questions Solved!
Equal Time For Free Thought Interview on wbai.org 1/18/09

The Big Religion Questions Solved!
Freethought Society of Greater Philadelphia videotaped lecture (82 mins) 12/2/08

Evolution vs. Creationism Debate
Marc Steiner Show, WJHU/NPR (Baltimore), Aug. 2000, rebroadcast Dec. 2000.


MISCELLANEOUS


Hot Topic (of the week): Moral Depravity
Real Time with Bill Maher website 10/6-13/05

NON-RELIGION WORK



In other areas of research I have published in Nature, BioScience, Scientific American, The Anatomical Record, Modern Geology, Historical Biology and Cretaceous Research as well as a number of academic books. I have authored or edited books through Johns Hopkins University Press, Scientific American and Princeton University Press. Peer review services have been provided to editors, technical journals and the National Science Foundation government grant system.

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Recommended Reading

Jeff Sharlet
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They both feed on emotional appeals and they both employ propaganda that distorts history,  and plays up to the native fears and prejudice of the uneducated. They both distort reality with deliberate lies. Christian nationalism in the USA (and possibly in Australia and Canada) has morphed into Christian fascism in recent decades. Christian fascists are implementing a bold plan using childhood indoctrination to raise a fifth column in the USA that will seize power during a crisis. In light of the recent near collapse of the financial markets and the huge losses families have suffered, the willingness to blame fascists is hard to resist. Especially since the unceasing drum beat from the extremists on the right has been all about destroying the government. America seethes with anger and hatred in all quarters.

By Jeff Sharlet

“We keep trying to explain away American fundamentalism. Those of us not engaged personally or emotionally in the biggest political and cultural movement of our times—those on the sidelines of history—keep trying to come up with theories with which to discredit the evident allure of this punishing yet oddly comforting idea of a deity, this strange god. His invisible hand is everywhere, say His citizen-theologians, caressing and fixing every outcome: Little League games, job searches, test scores, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, the success or failure of terrorist attacks (also known as “signs”), victory or defeat in battle, at the ballot box, in bed. Those unable to feel His soothing touch at moments such as these snort at the notion of a god with the patience or the prurience to monitor every tick and twitch of desire, a supreme being able to make a lion and a lamb cuddle but unable to abide two men kissing. A divine love that speaks through hurricanes. Who would worship such a god? His followers must be dupes, or saps, or fools, their faith illiterate, insane, or misinformed, their strength fleeting, hollow, an aberration. A burp in American history. An unpleasant odor that will pass.

Harpers, Through a Glass Darkly How the Christian Right is Reimagining American History

http://www.harpers.org/archive/2006/12/0081322

Other books:

American Fascists The Christian Right and The War on America, by Chris Hedges

Kingdom Coming by Michelle Goldberg

American Theocracy: The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion,  Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21stCentury by Kevin Philips

Roads to Dominion, Right-Wing Movements and Political Power in the United States, by Sara Diamond

The Fundamentals of Extremism, The Christian Right in America, Ed. Kimberly Blaker

My Amazon Wish List:

Reports on the web include:

www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm#_edn14

www.theocracywatch.org/

www.publiceye.org/magazine/v19n3/clarkson_dominionism.html

www.theocracywatch.org/chris_hedges_nov24_04.htm

www.talk2action.org/story/2008/1/5/155457/0298

www.harpers.org/archive/2006/12/0081322

http://www.publiceye.org/magazine/v19n3/clarkson_dominionism.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7422542 Is America Too Damn Religious, NPR

Blogs:

www.endhereditaryreligion.com

Progressive Blogs

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Religion and Child Abuse News

I have just become aware of an important online resource:

Religion and Child Abuse News
An archive of news items related to child abuse or neglect, or infringement of children’s rights, in a religious context.

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