James Dobson is dead: What you should know about him

Dr. James Dobson, a towering figure in American evangelicalism and a key advisor to four U.S. presidents, has passed away at the age of 89. Known for his staunch conservative views and decades-long influence on U.S. politics, Dobson most recently served on Donald Trump’s advisory board for evangelical affairs.

Dobson founded Focus on the Family in 1977, a ministry now active in nearly 100 countries, with the mission of affirming “the God-ordained institution of the family.” His radio program, which broadcast across 4,000 stations in North America, made him a household name, and his first book, Dare to Discipline, championed strict parental authority and corporal punishment—a theme he continued in more than 70 subsequent publications.

Born in Louisiana in 1936, Dobson’s influence extended beyond media and ministry. He advised Republican presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump, and helped shape policies on youth justice, family, and social conservatism. In 1981, he founded the Family Research Council, a think tank advocating socially conservative causes, and coordinated lobbying organizations at state levels across the U.S.

Gary Bauer of the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute hailed him as a “pioneer” and “a man of deep conviction whose voice shaped the way generations view faith, family, and culture.” Family Research Council president Tony Perkins added that Dobson’s “legacy will be lasting” and noted that he inspired a new generation of Christian leaders.

Despite never running for office, Dobson’s career was not without controversy. He was criticized for hardline stances on LGBTQ+ issues, calling Barack Obama “the abortion president” at a National Day of Prayer event in 2014, and resigning from the American Psychological Association in 1973 when it declassified homosexuality as a mental disorder. Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out described Dobson’s legacy as “one of cruelty disguised as Christianity,” accusing him of using faith to target vulnerable communities.

The Southern Poverty Law Center also designated the Family Research Council as a hate group in 2010 for its anti-gay activities, a claim the organization denied. Dobson remained defiant toward critics, stating in a 2019 newsletter that “left-wing activists typically hate committed Christians” and that their opposition stemmed from a belief system that “threatens their godless worldview.”

Dobson celebrated the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, declaring it a victory for returning abortion legality to the states: “At last, the tide has changed, and the legality of abortion has been given to the people to decide—where it belonged in the first place.”

Whether lauded as a visionary by supporters or criticized as divisive by opponents, Dr. James Dobson’s imprint on American evangelical thought and conservative politics remains undeniable. His influence spanned decades, shaping faith, family values, and policy in a way few others have.