James Dobson

===Views on abortion===

Early in his career, Dobson appeared to accept abortion. He wrote a forward for a 1973 book, ''Sex is a Parent Affair'', that takes a nonjudgemental stance toward abortion because "the Bible is silent on the subject" except for some interpretations of {{Bibleverse|Exodus|21:22–23|NRSV}} which "may indicate a developing embryo or fetus was not regarded as a full human being." In general, the evangelical movement did not speak much about abortion until the 1980s.<ref>{{cite book |title=Rethinking Life: Embracing the Sacredness of Every Person |first=Shane |last=Claiborne |year=2023 |isbn=9780310363910 
|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=irx3EAAAQBAJ |publisher=Zondervan |pages=193–202}}</ref>

Starting in the 1980s, Dobson became an implacable enemy of legal abortion, and a major force in the [[anti-abortion movement]].{{sfn|Ridgely|2016|p=196}} His message centered upon biblically moral mothers who sacrificed for their children; he chastised unmarried mothers or rebellious teenagers who selfishly treated unwanted pregnancy as an inconvenience rather than a sacred duty. He broadcast interviews with women who kept pregnancies because their trust in God overcame their own emotions and desires.{{sfn|Ridgely|2016|p=198–199}} For example, he published a story celebrating Jane Stillson, who chose to finish a pregnancy even though it prevented her from completing her treatment for cancer, thus risking her life.{{sfn|Ridgely|2016|p=201}}

Dobson contends that abortion invites women to reject God, diverts women from their natural role as mothers, and prevents more Christians from coming into the world. Ending abortion, in his view, would redeem society by binding women to their divine role.{{sfn|Ridgely|2016|p=200}} Focus on the Family and its allied lobbying organizations are among the US's most powerful advocates for restrictions on abortion access.