Dr. James Dobson, the influential evangelical leader and founder of Focus on the Family, died Thursday at age 89, according to a statement from the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute (JDFI). Dobson's death marks the end of an era for American evangelical Christianity and conservative politics, as he built one of the largest Christian media empires in the world and served as an advisor to five U.S. presidents, becoming what some called "the nation's most influential evangelical leader" of the past half-century.

Background & Influence

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1936, Dobson founded Focus on the Family in Arcadia, California, in 1977. The organization grew into a multimedia empire, with his daily radio program broadcast on more than 4,000 stations across North America and translated into 27 languages, reaching over 160 countries. The ministry later relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado, in 1991.

At its peak under Dobson's leadership, Focus on the Family became one of the most recognizable names in evangelical Christianity. Dobson authored more than 70 books, including bestsellers like "The New Dare to Discipline" and "When God Doesn't Make Sense," which became staples in Christian households.

His influence extended far beyond media. Dobson advised or counseled presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. He served on President Trump's Evangelical Executive Advisory Board and was instrumental in shaping national conversations on pornography, gambling, teen pregnancy prevention, and what he called "the sanctity of human life."

Conservative Christian Perspective

Conservative Christian leaders praised Dobson's legacy as transformational for evangelical America and traditional family values.

The evangelical community remembers Dobson as a defender of traditional family values who championed the central role of family in American society. His radio broadcasts and books provided guidance to millions of parents seeking to raise children according to biblical principles.

Dobson's media legacy established a template for Christian broadcasting and publishing that continues to influence religious media today. His emphasis on family counseling and child-rearing advice helped shape parenting approaches for millions of Christian families.

Politically, Dobson's work contributed to the mobilization of evangelical voters as a significant force in American elections. His endorsements and advocacy helped establish the religious right as a crucial constituency for Republican candidates.

Progressive and LGBTQ+ Advocacy Criticism

However, Dobson's influence was not without significant controversy. His death has reignited longstanding debates about the harm his teachings allegedly caused, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities and progressive religious circles.

LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have long criticized Dobson as a primary architect of modern anti-gay theology and policy. The Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD have documented how Focus on the Family, under Dobson's leadership, promoted conversion therapy practices and funded research aimed at "changing" sexual orientation—practices now condemned by major medical and psychological organizations as harmful and ineffective.

Progressive religious leaders have consistently argued that Dobson's interpretation of Christianity prioritized condemnation over Christ's message of love and inclusion. The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Butler of Faith in Public Life noted, "While Dobson claimed to speak for all Christians, many of us viewed his work as a distortion of the Gospel that caused real spiritual and psychological damage to LGBTQ+ people and their families."

Critics point to specific harms associated with Dobson's influence: his organization's promotion of "ex-gay" ministries that have since been discredited; his political mobilization against marriage equality that delayed legal protections for same-sex couples; and his child-rearing advice that some mental health professionals argued promoted authoritarian parenting styles that could harm children's emotional development.

Dr. Caitlin Ryan, a researcher at San Francisco State University who studies family acceptance of LGBTQ+ youth, has documented connections between religious teachings like those promoted by Dobson and higher rates of depression, suicide attempts, and substance abuse among LGBTQ+ young people from religious families.

Online reactions reflected this deep divide. Reddit users discussing his death expressed mixed feelings, with many sharing stories of psychological trauma they attributed to growing up with his materials. "The amount of self-hatred and internalized homophobia his teachings caused is something many of us are still working through in therapy," wrote one user.

Complex Legacy and Lasting Impact

Dr. James Dobson's death represents the end of a significant and deeply polarizing chapter in American evangelical Christianity and conservative politics. His supporters remember him as a champion of traditional family values who provided guidance to millions of parents and helped mobilize evangelical voters as a crucial political force. His extensive media empire and political connections established him as one of the most influential religious leaders of the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

However, his critics argue that his legacy is inseparable from the harm they believe his teachings caused to LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Progressive advocates contend that his promotion of conversion therapy, opposition to marriage equality, and authoritarian parenting advice created lasting psychological damage for countless people while contributing to broader cultural and political hostility toward LGBTQ+ Americans.

Whether viewed as a defender of biblical principles or as a figure whose influence caused measurable social harm, Dobson's impact on American culture over nearly five decades cannot be disputed. His death has prompted both mourning from supporters who credit him with strengthening their families and relief from critics who viewed his teachings as fundamentally harmful.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, their children Danae and Ryan, daughter-in-law Laura, and two grandchildren. His complex legacy will likely continue to influence debates about faith, family, sexuality, and politics in America for years to come, with both his supporters and critics claiming his life's work as evidence for their respective positions on the role of religion in public life.