LEILA FADEL, HOST:
James Dobson, one of the most influential conservative Christian leaders of the last half-century, has died. He was 89. Dobson was known for his support of what he called family values. Colorado Public Radio's Hayley Sanchez has more.
HAYLEY SANCHEZ, BYLINE: Dobson founded the organization Focus on the Family in 1977 and moved it to Colorado Springs in 1991. That's where journalist Steve Rabey began covering Dobson as the evangelical leader was working on a political campaign to curtail LGBTQ rights in Colorado.
STEVE RABEY: Nationally, Dobson turned family values into a household phrase that everybody knew, but he also turned it into kind of a political rallying cry for conservative Christians.
SANCHEZ: Focus on the Family was best known for these kinds of campaigns. The organization has said that homosexuality is a, quote, "particularly evil lie of Satan." Rabey says these kinds of views divided the nation and also the community. Dobson was a huge supporter of the state's Amendment 2, which tried to prevent the state or local governments from passing laws that would protect people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Voters passed it, but it was eventually struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.
PAUL BRANDEIS RAUSHENBUSH: James Dobson had a major role in the shaping of American Christianity, not to the benefit either of the faith or the country.
SANCHEZ: That's Reverend Paul Brandeis Raushenbush, head of the Interfaith Alliance, a progressive faith group. He says Dobson's anti-LGBTQ stance actually push many away from the church. For conservative Christians, this political activism and willingness to confront societal issues made him a pioneer. Christian YouTubers like Greg Garza are remembering his work.
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GREG GARZA: For decades, he faithfully taught families to walk with God, shaping generations with his message of faith, hope and love in Jesus.
SANCHEZ: And Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, said in a statement on X that like other influential Christian leaders of his era, Dobson has raised many more leaders in his wake. Those on opposing sides of the culture wars agree that James Dobson's legacy will be lasting.
For NPR News, I'm Hayley Sanchez in Colorado Springs. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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