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Focus on the Family ('''FOTF''', or '''FotF''') is an American Evangelical political group, promoting the policies of the Christian Right . The Non-profit Organization was founded in 1977 by Dr. James Dobson , and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado . Focus on the Family is one of a number of evangelical Parachurch Organization s that rose to prominence in the last decade. A major component of the American Christian right, it is active in promoting Interdenominational work for a Social Conservative Public Policy . The organization describes itself as "dedicated to nurturing and defending Families worldwide" and protecting Family Values . Some of the core promotional activities of the organization include a daily Radio broadcast by Dobson and his colleagues, providing free family Counseling and resources, and publishing a variety of magazines, videos, and audio recordings. HISTORY AND FACILITIES Focus on the Family began on March 26 , 1977 out of a small office in Arcadia , California . It soon outgrew that facility and began acquiring space in both Arcadia and in nearby Monrovia as its radio program grew in listenership. By 1990, the group needed even more space, and relocated to a new office complex in Pomona , California, that was supposed to last the organization for many years. Further growth caused by increased listenership of the radio program and readership of its books and magazines caused the organization to look for even more. In September 1993, having relocated to temporary quarters in various locations in Colorado Springs in the previous months, Focus on the Family dedicated its main building on an expansive 49 acre (200,000 m&2) site. Currently its three office buildings have a combined space of over 526,000 square feet (49,000 m&2) housing over 1,300 employees. One of the buildings is largely used for receiving telephone calls from listeners and providing requested assistance; this activity engages the largest segment of its employees. The organization's facilities are open for tours by the public Monday through Saturday, excepting certain holidays. A bookstore and cafeteria are onsite, as is the child-oriented Whit's End Soda Shoppe which serves Ice Cream and "Wodfamchocsod" (chocolate soda) made famous by the '' Adventures In Odyssey '' children's radio theatre show produced by Focus on the Family. LEADERSHIP Leadership for the organization was provided by Dobson alone until 2003. In 2003, Donald P. Hodel became President and Chief Executive Officer , tasked with the day-to-day operations. This left Dobson as Chairman of the Board of Directors, with chiefly creative and speaking duties. A former leader was John Paulk . In March 2005, Hodel retired and Jim Daly , formerly the Vice President in charge of Focus on the Family's International Division, assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer . ADVENTURES IN ODYSSEY See Also: Adventures in Odyssey FOTF also produces a children's radio drama entitled Adventures In Odyssey . It began in 1987 as Family Portraits, starring an elderly Christian gentleman named John Avery Whittaker (aka "Whit"), who runs a popular ice cream shop/"discovery emporium" called Whit's End; and he imparts Christian wisdom to the children of the town of Odyssey. It was renamed "Odyssey USA" in November 1987 and took on its present name, "Adventures in Odyssey" in April 1988. RADIO THEATRE Focus on The Family Radio Theatre is a series of audio dramas adapting classic literature, mystery mini-series and biographical productions, extending its reach to the mainstream as well as the Christian audience. At its peak, the weekly broadcasts aired on 240 stations nationwide, reaching audiences in excess of 350,000. The endeavor began through the efforts of former '' Adventures In Odyssey '' producers Dave Arnold and Paul McCusker, along with casting director Philip Glassborow based in England. ''Radio Theatre'' began with historical biographies of ' '' A Christmas Carol '' was produced and aired as a broadcast special. In 2003, Focus on the Family Radio Theatre released an audio dramatization of C. S. Lewis ' epic novel series '' The Chronicles Of Narnia '', with David Suchet providing the voice of Aslan , and over 100 English actors rounding out the cast. Lewis' stepson, Douglas Gresham , serves as host--sharing his personal stories at the beginning of each audio drama. Focus on the Family Radio Theatre has won many awards from major professional organizations. Father Gilbert Mysteries Radio Theatre also had a successful original miniseries, the Father Gilbert Mysteries , which tell of the strange spiritual mysteries encountered by Louis Gilbert, a cop-turned- Anglican -priest, who lives in Stonebridge, an English village in the Shire of Sussex , and ministers to the people of the town from St. Mark's Church. Nine episodes have been produced in four volumes available on Cassette and CD . POLITICAL POSITIONS AND ACTIVITIES As a 501(c)(3) corporation, Focus on the Family is not permitted to advocate any individual political candidate. However, in its radio broadcast, it often discusses political issues and current events, usually through a Christian point of view. Focus on the Family's magazine ''Citizen'' is exclusively devoted to politics. The FOF also has an affiliated group, Focus On The Family Action (a.k.a. Focus Action), though the two groups are legally separate. As a 501(c)(4) social welfare group, Focus Action has fewer political lobbying restrictions. The group supports the teaching of traditional family values. It advocates School Prayer and supports Corporal Punishment .Focus on the Family Defends Parents' Right to Discipline It strongly opposes Abortion , so-called militant feminism, homosexuality, discrimination against people of religion, Pornography , and pre-marital and extra-marital Sexual Activity . Focus on the Family also embraces and reflects the wider political agenda of its American Christian audience, for instance promoting a religiously-centered conception of American identity and the support of Israel . {Link without Title} {Link without Title} Focus on the Family broadcasts a national Talk Radio program of the same name hosted by Dobson or his aides. The program has a range of themes, such as Christian-oriented assistance for victims of Rape or Child Abuse ; Parenting difficulties; child Adoption ; husband/wife roles; family history and traditions; struggles with Gambling , Pornography , Alcohol , and Drugs ; and many other themes. When programs deal with civic issues, listeners often respond to these programs by contacting political leaders. The organization broadcasts to over 1.5 million listeners daily in the United States . They also have offices worldwide, and a worldwide audience of over 200 million for their daily radio broadcast. Focus on the Family also produces ten monthly magazines with a combined circulation of about 2.3 million subscribers, and a wide variety of books and films. Magazines include ''Focus on the Family'', ''Plugged In'', ''Brio'', ''Breakaway'', ''Clubhouse'', ''Clubhouse Jr.'', and ''Citizen''. Focus on the Family has been a prominent supporter of July 15 2004 Focus on the Family employee Mark Hartwig is also a fellow of the Discovery Institute's Center For Science And Culture , a connection which has helped to publicize intelligent design extensively; James Dobson often features intelligent design proponents on his Focus on the Family radio program. Focus on the Family's Family.org is a significant online resource for intelligent design articles. Feature Articles Focus On Social Issues - Origins. CitizenLink, Focus on the Family Recommended Reading List Focus On Social Issues - Origins. CitizenLink, Focus on the Family INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES
CONTROVERSY AND CRITICISM On 2007 On August 11, 2006, James Dobson publicly defended ''," saying Gibson's anti-Semitic remarks had nothing to do with "one of the finest films of this era." He explained further that "we certainly do not condone that racially insensitive outburst," but added, "Mel has apologized profusely for the incident and there the matter should rest." On the movie, "Our endorsement of it stands as originally stated. We did not believe it was anti-Semitic in 2004, and our views have not changed," Dobson said. SEE ALSO
REFERENCES EXTERNAL LINKS Websites Published by Focus on the Family
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