James Dobson, Influential Conservative Christian Leader and Focus on the Family Founder, Dies at 89

James Dobson, the conservative Christian psychologist who founded Focus on the Family and became one of the most influential voices of the religious right in American politics, passed away on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was 89 years old. His death was confirmed by the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute, marking the end of a career that spanned decades and profoundly shaped evangelical engagement in public life.

Dobson, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1936, launched his radio show counseling Christians on parenting and established Focus on the Family in 1977. The organization grew into a multimedia empire, reaching millions globally through radio broadcasts, books, and publications, advocating for what he termed "family values." He authored more than 70 books, including the influential "Dare to Discipline," which advocated for corporal punishment in child-rearing.

Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Dobson emerged as a significant force in the "culture wars," advising multiple U.S. presidents, including Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump. He was a staunch opponent of abortion, praising Trump for appointing Supreme Court justices who facilitated the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, an organization Dobson also founded, stated that Dobson belongs on the "Mount Rushmore" of Christian conservatives.

Dobson's legacy is also marked by his unwavering opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, promoting conversion therapy and vehemently opposing same-sex marriage. This stance drew significant criticism, with LGBTQ+ advocates, such as John Paulk, a former "ex-gay" movement figure, describing Dobson's influence as causing "shame, rejection and the lie that we needed to be 'cured.'" Paulk stated, "Dobson's empire baptized cruelty and called it love. That is his true legacy."

The sentiment of the tweet from Larry Alex Taunton, which prompted this report, reflects a perspective on Dobson's passing: > "RIP the Forgotten American Apologist. Ideas Have Consequences with Larry Alex Taunton." This highlights Dobson's role as an intellectual and advocate for his conservative Christian worldview, and the lasting impact of the ideas he championed.

Dobson retired from Focus on the Family in 2010 to found the Dr. James Dobson Family Institute and continued his syndicated radio show, "Family Talk." He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley, their two children, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. His passing prompts reflection on his complex and polarizing impact on American society, faith, and politics.