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Loading ...Evangelical group faces ’serious’ shortfall
08.12.2009 9:07am EDT
(Denver) A “serious budget shortfall” at Focus on the Family has prompted the conservative Christian group to issue a special fundraising plea, and contributed to a decision to cede control of its contentious “Love Won Out” conferences about homosexuality to another religious organization, a spokesman said Tuesday.
Focus on the Family, founded by child psychologist James Dobson, is on pace to fall $6 million short of a $138 million budget for the fiscal year that began last October, spokesman Gary Schneeberger said.Jim Daly, president and CEO of the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based evangelical ministry, explained the challenges in a letter to approximately 800,000 donors.
“Right now we’re facing a serious budget shortfall that threatens our ability to reach out to parents, families and married couples who count on our help,” Daly wrote. “Income is down nearly $6 million from what we expected and planned for this year. I want to assure you that we’re committed to good stewardship AND living within our means, just as so many families are today.”
Focus on the Family also announced Tuesday it would no longer stage “Love Won Out” conferences across the country. The events drew both participants and picketers for their promise to “help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome.”
The events will go on, instead staged by Orlando, Fla.-based Exodus International, a network of ministries whose core message is “Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ.”
Schneeberger said it made strategic sense for Exodus, which is expanding its work with churches, to take over the conferences starting in November.
“Financial realities played a role in the decision,” he said. “That said, Exodus is really the one who should be running ‘Love Won Out’ anyway. It makes sense independent of economic realities,” he said.
Gay rights groups have long criticized such initiatives as harmful. The American Psychological Association last week said mental health professionals should not tell gay clients they can become straight through therapy or other treatments. The group also endorsed approaches “that integrate concepts from the psychology of religion and the modern psychology of sexual orientation.”
Schneeberger said that one staff position will be eliminated and that other financial steps are under discussion. Last fall, budget problems prompted Focus on the Family to eliminate more than 200 positions.
Bruce: There is nothing wrong with wanting a group that looks at us as inferior to fail. Their existence is hardly the moral high ground. Would you have this attitude towards the Taliban, or the SS or Aparthied?
This is another reason why we need to put the repeal of Prop 8 on the ballot in California in 2010. Our enemies are experiencing financial problems. They will be much less able to raise the enormous amounts of money they did in 2008. Let’s not give them a check by waiting until 2012.
Bruce: A moral high ground, or a pretentious display of phony piety and gratuitous self-righteousness??
rjb, didn’t you know that Bruce is a card carrying evangelical? You must know that a day doesn’t go by without his spending at least an hour in spiritual devotions. My partner’s mother is one of “those.” Her latest diatribe is on “phony” theory of evolution. She thinks James Dobson walks on water. I wish he would – a long trip to Bermuda – walking.
They are so much like the Islamic Taliban. Instead of saying “God Willing,” they say “Praise Jesus.” You see, that makes everything they say and do ok.
It’s not such a dramatic shortfall (roughly 4-1/2%). I would think they could sucker enough people to donate $3 million, or half the balance, but the fact that the transfer of the program is already planned might be an indicator that the sheep aren’t quite as generous or deluded as they used to be. There will still be somebody running a program telling people they can escape their gayness, and it needs to be put in proper perspective–who would find it acceptable if you had churches telling blacks or hispanics how to stop being black or hispanic? Am I sorry that FOF doesn’t have the cash for such a destructive program? Hell no, and I see no reason to put on a face of false modesty with some noise about “gain(ing) pleasure through this organization’s fiscal shortcomings.” I’m happy about it, happy as hell that these bigots are short on cash like millions of other Americans. Notice their mega-donors don’t seem inclined to come to their rescue this time. I doubt it’s because they’re too broke, but maybe financial fag-bashing isn’t the fun it used to be.
Of course, even with a $6 million shortfall, Focus on the Family still managed to raise $132 million this year. . .
rjb… I’m not one to find joy in the misgivings of others!
What is good for the goose, is good for the gander.
A moral high ground is always the way to go.
Bruce: Why would you be saddened by their financial shortfall. Focus on the Family is not worthy of being in existence. Their values are screwy and they are getting their just deserts. James Dobson’s version of morality has no basis in the real world. I do not feel one bit saddened by the news of their lack of money. I hope it continues to dissapate(sp).
“Freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ.” ???
Better yet…
“Freedom from religion through the power of Common Sense”.
Lincoln said, “Now that the APA said it is OK to be gay, it seems like a good time for them to pull out of the conversion business.”
Yeah, like science and all other things rational could stop the irrational.
If I remember correctly, they had to lay-off or furlough workers at the end of 2008 because they had spent “too much” on the Prop 8 battle in California.
On the other hand, in this economy, every organization that relies on donations is having problems. Could this be our “silver lining” in the recession.
Now that the APA said it is OK to be gay, it seems like a good time for them to pull out of the conversion business.
My partner and I know a psychologist here in VA and she tells us that most of her patients are religious fanatics and that most of them are really screwed up! I must call her, she’ll probably get more business now. Yes, these are the Virginia values that we here about all the time in this pathetic excuse for a state. The majority of people here are the biggest hypocrits with no personalities at all. We can’t wait to get out of here. This is one of the worst states and should be boycotted.
DrewW…. I’m saddened to hear you gain pleasure thru this organization’s fiscal shortcomings.
I do find it interesting that the program to be cut is the one involving their gay agenda.
This is ptroof just how low on the list gay issues are whether for or against!
Our programs seem to be the lowest of priority. foes and friends alike deem gay programs the least controversial to cut funding from…..the backlash is non-existant.
yahoooooo! Now lets hear about the RCC’s downfall too!
I fund litigation that often runs into this group through a related legal fund and I hope our expanded efforts will continue to strain their coffers.
What a joke…help married couples. these poor brainwashed souls send money so this group can make sure their sons hate themselves and commit suicide. Great way to support married people.
Humans are just too gullable. this group should get hate mail, not checks in the mail. How can people believe their crap. They are also involved in campaigns to get parents to take their kids out of school, to get public funding for religious schools, they run the national day of prayer which pushes evangelical beliefs on our secular country and of course they fund many fights to remove our rights.
If you know a sick member, work to heal them. These people are sick and need help so they stop sending money!