James Dobson has lost his way

In the fall of 1995, I was privileged to be a student in the first class of Focus on the Family’s Institute for Family Studies.

I learned a lot while I was there. I was able to meet more than 20 bright and godly men and women from across the country. We became friends, and some of those relationships have been able to continue for more than 20 years. We learned good lessons from our professors, had the opportunity to meet influential people and were blessed to become a part of the Focus family.

One of the starkest memories I have is when Dr. James Dobson spoke to us.

Of the many things he shared, two stand out:

• He told us how his father wore out the toes of his shoes before his heels (a sign of being on knees in prayer)
• He talked honestly about the difficulty he experienced being part of a team that studied the negative effects of pornography. He told us how having to look at those images haunted him. The results of that work have been beneficial, but Dr. Dobson and others suffered because of the exposure.

It is that second lesson that leaves me so astounded now.

I know Dr. Dobson used to be a champion for the family as a foundation of society. I know he used to stand for men and women being faithful to one another in marriage and working together to raise their children. I know he used to stand against anyone who supported any type of sexual behavior that deviated from traditional Christian views.

Now, however, he has supported a man for the highest public office who twice impregnated women who were not his wife while he was married to another. That same man has been a guest many times on a radio show Dr. Dobson used to despise, bragging about sexual deviancy. He has bragged about sexual assault and how his celebrity allows him to get away with it. 

In addition to endorsing that man, Dr. Dobson gave his support to someone who has had several accusations of pedophilia cast against him. I believe, as I am sure most reading this do, that we are all innocent until proven guilty. However, leader after leader has recognized how toxic this person is and will continue to be.

Yet instead of standing up for the victims of sexual abuse and trauma, Dr. Dobson has called this man a tireless champion.

I long for the man I met 20-plus years ago to return.

There are many things Dr. Dobson and I may disagree on. But I always thought we would agree on how important family is. I thought his focus on the family would prevent him from being manipulated by party affiliation. It now appears that instead of following a God who died on a cross and rose from the grave, he is following an elephant wrapped in an American flag.

Because of this, I cannot allow this certificate I received to hang on my wall any longer. I cannot allow my children to see me display something that says Focus on the Family while that organization has become nothing more than a support for sexual predators. 

I pray that Dr. Dobson and I both will follow his father’s example and fall on our knees and pray. This is about so much more than a political party or ideology.

This is about the gospel of Jesus and the protection of the least of these.

Paul Mathis lives in Abilene.