Focus on The Family says the media got it wrong and misconstrued Dr. James Dobson's comments about Fred Thompson's religious faith. Here's the text of an email that Focus sent to a reader in response to an email they sent to the Christian organization...
We welcome the opportunity to reply to your comments regarding Dr. Dobson's remarks that were first reported in Dan Gilgoff's online article titled "Dobson Offers Insight on 2008 Republican Hopefuls: Focus on the Family Founder Snubs Thompson, Praises Gingrich" (U.S. News & World Report, March 28, 2007). At the outset, it's important to note that this headline is an outright mischaracterization of the views Dr. Dobson expressed. His words weren’t intended as a disparagement of Senator Fred Thompson.
In fact, we can assure you that Dr. Dobson appreciates Senator Thompson’s solid, pro-family voting record and his position that Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided. In his conversation with Mr. Gilgoff, Dr. Dobson, speaking as a private citizen, was attempting to highlight that to the best of his knowledge, Senator Thompson hadn’t clearly communicated his religious faith, and many evangelical Christians might find this a barrier to supporting him. Dr. Dobson told Mr. Gilgoff that he had never met Senator Thompson and wasn’t certain that his understanding of the former Senator’s religious convictions was accurate. Unfortunately, these qualifiers weren’t reported by Mr. Gilgoff.
We were, however, pleased to learn from his spokesperson that Senator Thompson professes to be a believer.
Also, it may be of interest to know that Dr. Dobson received a cordial e-mail from Senator Thompson saying that he was surprised initially upon reading the article by Mr. Gilgoff, but then concluded that Dr. Dobson’s remarks had been grossly misrepresented. He urged Dr. Dobson to dismiss the matter and added that he intended to do the same.
In conclusion, let us caution you not to believe what you read about Dr. Dobson in the secular media today. Never in the 30-year history of Focus on the Family has there been more misreporting and outright distortion of his beliefs and teachings. It is apparent that those who represent a liberal worldview seek to marginalize him and confuse our friends. If you ever have a question concerning what you read about Dr. Dobson or our organization, please do contact us for clarification. The chances are you have been misinformed.
Again, thanks for writing. Please pray for Dr. Dobson and this ministry in the days ahead. Grace and peace to you!
Amy Campbell
Focus on the Family Action
The organization has a longer version of the same statement on their website.
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