2009-February

	Families consisting of a mother, father, and one or more biological children, and
	Other families, presumably including: An opposite-sex couple and their adopted children. An opposite-sex couple and their children conceived by artificial insemination or in-vitro fertilization using sperm donated by a stranger, A same-sex lesbian couple and a child conceived by artificial insemination, and A same-sex male couple and their adopted children.

They generally state, without quoting any supporting studies, that children raised in the first type of family succeed better in life than children raised in the second type of family. Our concern is that these expressions may be the opening salvos in a war against adoption. We have sent Emails inquiring about this new terminology but have not yet received a response.

It might be worth noting that the American Psychiatric Association's  Assembly and Board of Trustees issued a position statement saying:

"Numerous studies over the last three decades consistently demonstrate that children raised by gay or lesbian parents exhibit the same level of emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual functioning as children raised by heterosexual parents.  This research indicates that optimal development for children is based not on the sexual orientation of the parents, but on stable attachments to committed and nurturing adults.  The research also shows that children who have two parents, regardless of the parents? sexual orientations, do better than children with only one parent." ₆

Lawmakers in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and New Hampshire have made similar arguments in bills launched to repeal the death penalty. The New York Times noted that experts say such bills have a good chance of passing in Maryland, Montana and New Mexico. ₇

The Roman Catholic Church opposes essentially all executions. But most conservative Protestants are solidly in the "pro-death" camp when it comes to convicted murderers.

The Focus board of directors stated in a statement:

"One of Dr. Dobson's objectives during the last decade has been to help identify the next generation of leadership for the ministry, and to see it established securely before he stepped away from administrative oversight. That purpose has now been fulfilled, and we applaud Dr. Dobson for this concern for the future of the ministry." ₈

The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State commented:

"I do not expect this change to mean we will see any moderation in the rhetoric of Focus on the Family or its arm in Washington, the Family Research Council. For years, FOF has been the leading voice of religious extremism and intolerance in America. It has led the attack on the legal rights of gay and lesbian Americans, worked assiduously to undermine reproductive rights, assaulted the religious neutrality of public schools, and labored to replace science with far-right, fundamentalist dogma."
 

"James Dobson?s vision of America is of a divisive and narrow-minded nation, a country where an exceedingly limited version of Christianity -? the type hewn to by Dobson and his followers -? is welded to the raw power of the state. In his misguided quest for an officially 'Christian America,' Dobson would trample on the rights of millions. I am thankful that so many Americans reject Dobson?s disturbing vision." ₉

Curiously, the Family Research Council's website has no announcement of Dobson's resignation.