Focus on the Family To Do Damage Control?  

Focus on the Family is reportedly planning a two-day program series on the National Day of Prayer on May 13 and 14. They are sending out emails claiming that what everyone has heard is inaccurate about Shirley Dobson and the NDP Task Force. I stand by all that we have said. The facts speak for themselves.

1. Dr. Ravi Zacharias, 2008 Honorary Chairman of the NDP, by his own admission, conformed to government demands that there be a non-sectarian, Jesus-free prayer. That prayer was on the Task Force website for the public to read, and we have posted it at this site. There is no Jesus in that prayer. There was also no inclusion of the name of Christ at Ravi’s White House prayer on the National Day of Prayer.

2. Fact 2 that has already been established is that the National Day of Prayer Task Force sponsors interfaith prayer services that they call “Judeo-Christian”. They have gotten away with it for years and that is why they are shocked that anyone would bring this up now. This “Judeo-Christian” prayer service is what resulted in a liberal, Reform rabbi, Rabbi Bruce Lustig, getting up and opening Dobson’s event by claiming that all religions are equal before God in prayer. Shirley thanked him and the event opened on that footing. This is indisputable, and we have posted the audio online.

Further, while we welcome a wider audience’s awareness of these issues, it will be a major mistake for the Dobsons if they choose to get on the air and reference what we have written and said. Why? Because it will simply introduce many of their listeners for the first time to the reality of what happened. This will not help their cause with born-again Christians in their audience who still care about biblical truth. It will also be ironic if they choose to do this because the Dobsons have steadfastly refused to do any programming of any kind that would warn listeners about the dangers of the false teaching flooding into the church. They don’t like to offend and name names unless they’re talking about liberals in Congress. The evangelical church is off limits. Ryan Dobson is a big fan of Rob Bell, and he told a broadcaster friend of mine that in writing. Bell is the one who told Christianity today that he and his wife were excited to discover that the Bible was not the product of “Divine fiat” but rather a “human product”. If the Dobson family refuses to warn their millions of listeners about men like Brian McLaren showing up at Willow Creek Community Church–a man who rejects the doctrine of hell, the substitutionary atonement and the literal Second Coming of Christ–and in fact have featured Dr. Tony Campolo on their program in the past without ever clarifying that they no longer support him—it will be most interesting to see them warning about Bible-believing Christians by name just because they had the gall to oppose something being promoted by Focus on the Family’s subsidiary, the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

If they choose to go that route, the public will be reminded once again of what the exact issues were regarding the official National Day of Task Force prayer and Dr. Zacharias’s decision, because we will be obligated to make any distortions of the truth plain as widely as possible. Here is a letter sent by Cathy Mickels, author of the book endorsed by Dr. John MacArthur: Spiritual Junk Food: The Dumbing Down of Christian Youth. She was also the state head of Eagle Forum for the state of Washington for many years. She is writing to Jean Truty at the National Day of Prayer who sent out the latest communique.

Dear Jean,

Thank you for responding to my concerns regarding decisions made by the National Day of Prayer committee.

However, I am still very disappointed not only by your response, but also by your suggestion that anyone who calls into question Shirley Dobson’s judgment is divisive to the Body of Christ. Frankly, it’s time for those who are in Christian leadership to acknowledge and consider it is possible for them to demonstrate poor judgment. In this case, it was Shirley Dobson who lacked wisdom, discernment and insight.

I am puzzled why those at FOF would defend sending mixed messages such as the opening remarks of the Rabbi declaring Christians, Muslims and Jews all pray to the same God. This is contrary to God’s word, and some of us take very seriously our responsibility to stand against any lie that breeds or perpetrates this deception. Furthermore, why should anyone at Focus on the Family be surprised that Bible believing Christians challenge the notion of standing arm in arm with those who declare Muslims, Jews or Christians all pray to the same God? Is that a notion validated and embraced in Scripture? Is God pleased with our involvement in ecumenical movements implying it really doesn’t matter who we are crying out to for protection and help?

Per your comments, regardless of how young Shirley Dobson was when she gave her life to Christ, what matters is what decisions she is making today. The spiritual climate in this country is not the same as it was in past years. The blending of different faith perspectives was not an issue years ago, but today we see this compromise everywhere. Consequently, we live in a time where we must not contribute either indirectly or directly to this growing spiritual confusion, which is precisely why Shirley Dobson was wrong.

Unlike the generations noted in Scripture, why does this generation think God will honor or bless our land if Christians stand with pagan religions praying to the “universal god”? What is the matter with us?

I thank God for women such as Ingrid Schlueter and her family who have the courage and boldness to defend the faith regardless of the cost.

I will also use this time to ask Mrs. Dobson’s to reconsider defending a controversial activity in a book called “The Family Compass.” This outrageous activity actually suggests fathers teach their sons the “excitement of sex within the context of marriage” by taking them to a women’s lingerie store to buy a “sexy outfit” for their mommy. In light of the professional opinions stating this activity violates the “universal taboo against sexual expression between parent and child, and breaks down normalcy within the context of family” the activity is still in this book endorsed by Focus. Like Ingrid Schlueter, I learned what happens when you question Focus on the Family, and I also learned, Focus on the Family can be wrong.

With great disappointment,

Cathy Mickels,
Former, longtime Washington state President of Eagle Forum

By Ingrid Schlueter Email: vcyproducer@aol.com Click here for bio and archived articles