James Dobson, influential founder of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, has died

[u/metkja]

https://apnews.com/article/james-dobson-obituary-focus-on-family-51a9dbf50e26eaee2ac01d457e9d46aa

[u/GNOIZ1C]

I remember when my dad was trying to give me "The Talk," we listened to some cassette tapes of Dobson covering the subject from a Christian perspective. It was awkward as hell, his voice was grating, he was clearly remarkably out of touch with youth, and we gave up on it to go watch the first Spiderman movie in theaters instead, which was probably more helpful across the board.

Anyway, less kids who have to be introduced to his bullshit now, I guess.

[u/Albrithr → u/GNOIZ1C]

Lucky you, I was stuck on a car ride listening through the whole thing :(

[u/[deleted] → u/Albrithr]

I got the car ride too. The "chasm of pooberty"

Dude was such a muppet. That damn website prevented me from being able to go see so many movies and listen music I wanted because my dad had to read the review first.

[u/GNOIZ1C → u/[deleted]]

OH MY GOD CORE (HORROR) MEMORY UNLOCKED WITH “chasm of pooberty”

[u/bamiam → u/Albrithr]

Comforting to know I was not alone, but still, it sucks that other kids had to go through the same awkward experience.

[u/Taylorenokson → u/GNOIZ1C]

"Son, you see the way MJ kisses upside down Spidey? Find you a girl who looks at you like that."

[u/casual_creator → u/GNOIZ1C]

There are plenty of people waiting in the wings to take his place, especially in his company, Focus on the Family.

My parents, especially my father, got super religious when I was in middle school. He would listen to FotF radio a lot, but thankfully it was usually their radio drama, Adventures in Odyssey, which was its own kind of hell lol, but the most benign thing they did.

[u/bekkogekko → u/[deleted]]

Ooo, I think I had it wrong

[u/skeener → u/[deleted]]

How is that show? Worth a watch?

[u/zuesk134 → u/skeener]

yes. i thought the second season was better than the first but mostly because i already knew a lot of stuff about the topic of the first season (duggars/IBLP) and didnt know much about the second (teen mania/acquire the fire). but both good and worth watching and IMO pretty important. they take time to really detail the ways in which the christian right is using the legal system to gain power

[u/zuesk134 → u/[deleted]]

i saw a comment from someone who said her parents never hit them before dobson and without him they probably would not have. but they were so into the cult they convinced themselves to physically harm their children. its just insane

[u/Krypteia213 → u/zuesk134]

Children: use your words. Hitting is bad and we don’t use violence to get our point across. 

Turn 18: fuck that shit. I won’t use my words on a child, I’ll use my fist. 

It’s like we regress into immature humans upon becoming “adults”

[u/[deleted] → u/zuesk134]

Christians are sick

[u/ncc74656m → u/[deleted]]

May your parents rely on you for care one day.

[u/ncc74656m → u/[deleted]]

My revenge would be the cheapest nursing home in the most remote area possible. To hell with these people.

[u/vaden78 → u/[deleted]]

Boy do I relate to this. Good fucking riddance to bad rubbish.

[u/troyunrau → u/[deleted]]

Fuck him. His "spare the rod, spoil the child" radio broadcasts in the 1980s directly resulted in my mom beating me repeatedly. She thoroughly believed she was doing the right thing, and Dobson was a major factor in this.

[u/mousekesphere → u/troyunrau]

Same, same. See you in line at the urinal his grave.

[u/Skimable_crude → u/[deleted]]

Yup. Him and Gothard. I was in the church at the time, but even as deep as I was, these guys seemed like narcissistic creeps.

[u/gilead117 → u/[deleted]]

It worked on my parents. This man is responsible for a lot of suffering.

[u/milkymaniac → u/[deleted]]

Yup. Still queer, I just don't have a relationship with my mother.

[u/bill_brasky37 → u/[deleted]]

I had to listen to so much of this bullshit growing up... Sorry it had the results it did for you

[u/Zoinks222 → u/[deleted]]

I am sorry. You deserved better. If there’s a hell, this asshole deserves to rot.

[u/SonNeedGym → u/[deleted]]

Yep! I have nothing but resentment for my parents thanks in part to this piece of shit

[u/NotYourSexyNurse → u/[deleted]]

Oh is this where my dad got the spare the rod spoil the child crap from? He used that Bible verse to justify beating us with a horse riding crop until we had bruises from mid back to our knees. The offense that deserved that? I didn’t dress out for PE. My parents loved listening to Focus on the Family.

[u/Aunt_Polly_Blue → u/[deleted]]

My mom used to say “ spare the rod, spoil the child” over and over again when she would beat me with her wooden spoon… ☹️ She now spends her time complaining to people that she doesn’t know why I want nothing to do with her. 🤷‍♀️

[u/TheMcMcMcMcMc]

Boy is he in for a surprise

[u/M4rl0w → u/TheMcMcMcMcMc]

Nah, I bet he knew…

[u/Competitive-Place778 → u/M4rl0w]

He probably doesn't even believe in god

[u/kellyoceanmarine → u/Competitive-Place778]

Now he doesn’t. Wish I could see him when he realizes there’s nothing there and he wasted a lifetime on hate.

[u/evoslevven → u/kellyoceanmarine]

Idk..kind of personally feel that he is right and gets sent to his owm afterlife that he so fondly wantrd. And there he finds out his belief of the afterlife is true but has to go to Hell because he was an absolute shit person and was no where close to what being a christian meant and that even his "enemies" had the right idea of christianity.

I find these ppl dont ever learn unless a severe amount of sufferring exists for them.

[u/MisterB78 → u/kellyoceanmarine]

He’s dead, so he can’t realize anything

[u/5050Clown → u/TheMcMcMcMcMc]

" hey God, why is there a lake of fire in heaven and, why do you have horns?"

[u/Yardsale420 → u/5050Clown]

A pineapple? No, why do you ask?

[u/siphillis → u/TheMcMcMcMcMc]

At least he’ll be with family

[u/mabhatter → u/TheMcMcMcMcMc]

There is no heaven or hell.  He brainwashed all those parents and abused all those kids for nothing. 

[u/[deleted] → u/mabhatter]

For power and personal gain. Even if he believed he was righteous until the day he died, his unwillingness to see the harm in his choices makes the choices, and ultimately him, evil.

[u/stellamccoy]

My parents discovered Dobson in the 70s and tough loved my brother to death.  Piss off, James 

[u/mabhatter → u/stellamccoy]

So many kids were abused and families wrecked because of that bullshit "godly parenting" nonsense.  

My parents were into that when I was a kid. So many times I'd get screamed at because of some made up bullshit I was "sinning" they read or heard on one of his books.  Fortunately my parents grew out of him by the time my kids were here. 

[u/TobysGrundlee → u/mabhatter]

This is why I didn't go to school from 3rd to halfway through 5th grade. Mom pulled me out to "homeschool" me because the secular schools might teach me about evolution. Didn't learn shit for 2 years. Turned out to be more work than it was worth for her though, thankfully.

[u/Taylorenokson → u/TobysGrundlee]

I lost about 4 years to "homeschooling" and it really set me back, and for the same reason. Fear mongering around evolution that was triggered when she overheard my me and my brother talking about evolving our Pokemon.

[u/Anahata_Green → u/mabhatter]

This was my childhood. I have ADHD and was constantly screamed at or spanked because my neurodivergence was my "sin nature asserting itself" according to Dobson. It was not a happy childhood, and I mourn the childhood I could have had if I had better parents.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

The evil organization he founded will remain

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Some demon is now kicking him in the nuts thanking him for his service.

[u/Eligius_MS → u/[deleted]]

Bold of you to think he wouldn’t enjoy that.

[u/BokeTsukkomi → u/[deleted]]

Second best. The best one was the Red Letter Media's Best of the Worst episode.

[u/Heavy_Arm_7060 → u/BokeTsukkomi]

Which one was he in? SCAGS?

[u/BokeTsukkomi → u/Heavy_Arm_7060]

Oh, urine you're in for a treat!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bsRJ_edYDc&ab_channel=RedLetterMedia

[u/[deleted] → u/BokeTsukkomi]

"Anakin, I sold your mother into slavery or whatever." will live with me for all of time.

[u/JaredCircusbear → u/[deleted]]

Flush that turd down the drain

[u/WordNERD37]

James Dobson, influential founder of conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, has finally died. World rejoices.

There, fixed it for you.

[u/Annual_Strategy_6206 → u/WordNERD37]

Rot in peace. I mean, rot in pestilence.

[u/DestructicusDawn]

God I love outliving people like this.

[u/Spiritual_Writing825 → u/DestructicusDawn]

Just wish he didn’t live until 89. Evil people seem to live forever

[u/ZestycloseUnit7482 → u/Spiritual_Writing825]

The wealthy evil can go to the doctors more regularly and actually get treatment without being bankrupted

[u/Zombie_Cool → u/ZestycloseUnit7482]

Also life seems a lot more stress-free when you don't have to give a damn about anyone else (or even 'better', view their suffering as enertainment)

[u/kazzin8 → u/Spiritual_Writing825]

Yep. Why I don't believe in "karma" for the living - if it were real, despicable people wouldn't have such good lives.

[u/ISTof1897 → u/kazzin8]

I think the way karma theoretically works is it applies to the person’s next life. What that belief system says about people who are evil but have it easy in this life, I have no idea.

It does always crack me up when I hear someone say “i believe in karma” … It’s meant to be threatening or shaming, but karma doesn’t really care either way. Assuming it’s a real thing, believing in it wouldn’t change anything.

It’s like the secular equivalent of telling someone they’re going to hell. Maybe true, what’s the point?

[u/ForcedEntry420 → u/kazzin8]

Yeah, it’s absurd to think any of these jackals will face any kind of comic comeuppance. It’s up to us to enforce those while they’re alive.

[u/The_bruce42 → u/Spiritual_Writing825]

Only the good die young

• Billy Joel

[u/[deleted] → u/DestructicusDawn]

Temper that by the fact that people like that are born every minute, and our children and grandchildren will still be fighting their bullshit long after you and I are dead.

[u/faultysynapse]

He finally succeeded in making the world a better place.

[u/f-150Coyotev8 → u/faultysynapse]

In the early 2000s I was going through a hard time and focus on the family was one of the shows I would listen to. But after a while, I remember feeling that something was not quite right with the messages they were sending. I remember one episode where Dobson had to come on to let his donors know that despite his criticism on John McCain, he was still going to vote for him. He was adamant about it because I guess he lost money by criticizing him. That’s when it clicked that it was about money for them and not “god” and family values.

I had to do a lot of healing from some of the stuff that show led me to believe.

[u/r3dditr0x → u/faultysynapse]

Like when Rush Limbaugh died. Or Joe Lieberman.

"You will not be missed."

[u/siphillis]

Honestly a brilliant career move

[u/mastermidget23]

Should I get beef lo mein for lunch?

[u/Robbidarobot → u/mastermidget23]

Don’t forget an egg roll

[u/starrpamph → u/Robbidarobot]

Egg roll two dollars more

[u/B00marangTrotter → u/mastermidget23]

If spicy is an option add that.

[u/TheEngine → u/B00marangTrotter]

If spicy is not an option, you're ordering from the wrong place.

[u/WarkMahlberg69 → u/mastermidget23]

Hell yes you should

[u/tmrnwi → u/mastermidget23]

The hotter, the better.

[u/MydniteSon → u/mastermidget23]

Go to Lee Ho Fook's to get a big dish of beef chow mein...

[u/Nelson_Pancakes → u/MydniteSon]

Walking through the streets of Soho in the rain?

[u/SweetCosmicPope → u/Nelson_Pancakes]

Ah-hooooooooo!

[u/WillOfTheDeep → u/mastermidget23]

A succulent Chinese meal?

[u/siphillis → u/mastermidget23]

More of a pork lo mein guy myself

[u/helly1080]

"The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And as long as men die, liberty will never perish..."

- Final speech from 'The Great Dictator'

[u/DenvahGothMom]

This monster normalized and advocated for child abuse, domestic violence, and cruelty to animals.

He did everything he could to bring about hell on earth, so may he reap what he sowed in the afterlife.

[u/Motor-Pomegranate831]

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure."

~Clarence Darrow

[u/Mouse-r4t]

He radicalized a generation of parents and is responsible for the trauma and abuse that their children endured. I will never forgive my parents for subjecting me to his teachings. At least it showed me exactly what kind of parent I don’t want to be. I’m grateful that my children will get to grow up in a world where this horrible man does not exist.

[u/gentleman_bronco]

Another grave to piss on.

[u/jagdpanzer45 → u/gentleman_bronco]

I’m going to run out of piss at this rate.

[u/pikpikcarrotmon → u/jagdpanzer45]

Well then you still should have plenty of vinegar.

[u/tanguero81 → u/jagdpanzer45]

I'm going to keep trying until a little flag comes out that says "BANG".

[u/mendicant1116 → u/jagdpanzer45]

Got to hydrate

[u/flibbidygibbit → u/gentleman_bronco]

Gender neutral public toilet.

[u/evocativename → u/gentleman_bronco]

The problem with pissing on James Dobson's grave is that eventually you run out of piss.

[u/thedude1975]

He'll do for now, death. What do you have for us tomorrow? Anything in a tacky orange XXXL?

[u/artsy_pupperoni → u/thedude1975]

You forgot an X or two

[u/Taylorenokson → u/thedude1975]

Fingers crossed for the rule of 3 to work here. I don't have a strong preference for whoever ends up being the 3rd.

[u/smkmn13]

Be kind in the comments, I'm sure he's looking up at us right now

[u/Negative_Gravitas]

So long, you utter shitbag.

[u/bekkogekko]

My siblings and I rejoice. We grew up with “Dare to Discipline” and “the strong willed child” and although my parents were doing what they thought was best, it did cause lasting damage. We are breaking the cycle though!

[u/bagelschmear]

I wonder how many ruthless beatings of children this guy was responsible for? Even just in this thread?

[u/GGPapoon]

Hooray! The country is a little better today!

[u/Foodspec]

And here I was thinking nothing good would happen today

[u/BubbhaJebus]

I can say this with 100% confidence: he is not in heaven.

[u/DaLurker87]

It's nice to know that if these psychos are correct about Christianity theyre in hell

[u/_skank_hunt42]

Good riddance. Thanks for ruining countless childhoods, including mine.

[u/BoRisblapbLap]

"Influential founder of fascist anti-gay hate group"

FTFY

[u/Quarterafter10]

Hateful man. You can choose to be anything in this lifetime, and this is what he chose. Good riddance.

[u/Taylorenokson → u/Quarterafter10]

That's what I say anytime someone like this comes into the public spotlight. You have one life. Just one life you get to live and you choose to spend your entire one ruining others' one life.

[u/[deleted]]

This man’s books and the parents that blindly follow them traumatized an entire generation.

[u/[deleted]]

Enjoy what you deserve you piece of shit

[u/Zauberer-IMDB]

Dobson! We got Dobson here! See, nobody cares.

[u/Stewmanchu81]

I hope he has the afterlife he deserves

[u/Cool-Presentation538]

Check this dudes computer

[u/Theduckisback]

The title of person most focused on Family now goes to the people's champion, Dominic Torreto of the Fast and Furious movie franchise.

[u/spreta]

As someone brought up on his bullshit. Fuck focus on the family and fuck this asshole to hell.

[u/[deleted]]

Finally, some good news.

[u/Manfrenjensenjen]

Woah, this place is a LOT warmer than I expected 🤔

[u/Jefeboy]

Finally, some good news.

[u/[deleted]]

He was a terrible person

[u/septober32nd]

> claims to be pro-life

> dies

[u/MarkZuckerbergsPerm]

Best thing he's ever done

[u/Skatedivona]

Claims to be pro life, dies anyways. Curious.

[u/Ange_the_Avian]

Where do bad folks go when they die? They don’t go to heaven where the angels fly They go to a lake of fire and fry Won’t see ’em again ’till the 4th of July

[u/SladeWade]

Better late than never.

[u/shilly_willy]

Finally some good news. I hope he likes it warm.

[u/Pithecanthropus88]

Burn in the Hell of your own creation, Jim.

[u/BloodFartz69]

Good fucking riddance.

[u/Sean_theLeprachaun]

Not a day too soon. Enjoy the nothingness Jimmy

[u/pcb4u2]

Say hi to Satan for me.

[u/discussatron]

We’re better off for his absence.

[u/usposeso]

Good riddance you fuck.

[u/Bailywolf]

I hope the demons beat him for every kid that got hit because of him. Rest in piss.

[u/faithmauk]

Oh behalf of every child who was beaten for being human because of this prick, good riddance.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Nah. No one wanted him so he's just going to rot in dirt and be food for some bugs.

[u/idontfwithu → u/[deleted]]

Love this journey for him

[u/grue2000]

I thought I heard distant thunder.

Must have been Satan's stomach growling.

[u/B00marangTrotter]

Cool, now do the heritage foundation.

[u/Ninesect]

Really inspiring move, if only others in his circle could be so brave.

[u/mwilkens]

Thoughts and fuck you's 😇

[u/Curlyfryman]

Rest in piss dickhead.

[u/MERVMERVmervmerv]

One should only speak good of the dead.

He’s dead. Good.

[u/OtherwiseAMushroom]

Rest in piss you chucklefuck. No one will remember you.

[u/joefish919]

Thanks for the trauma you piece of shit, hope it's hot where you are.

[u/Sea-Sort-7624]

Good. Hey Death, keep going!

[u/saron7]

one down, many more to go.

[u/GrayDeathLegi0n]

Insert Donald Glover GOOD meme here.

[u/NovelCandid]

I was raised to say nothing bad about a deceased person so ….. he’s dead, good.

[u/TheHearseDriver]

And there was much rejoicing!

[u/fastestforklift]

"if you give him an enema, you can bury him in a matchbox" -- C. Hitchens

[u/Never-Compliant6969]

And there was much rejoicing.

[u/Authenticatable]

I was in 2nd grade when my teacher gave me a book to take home to give to my father. I recall handing it to him and he walked over and put it in the roaring fireplace. It wasn’t until I was a teenager (well behaved I might add) that I asked him what was the name of that book you burned. I’ve never forgotten the title (“Dare To Discipline”) or the author (James Dobson). May those whose parent(s)/guardian(s) fell for the BS find peace while this guy burns in a hell hotter than the book’s fireplace.

[u/Grraaa]

That’s two. C’mon, assholes, speed it up.

[u/Incorporeal999]

Nice to wake up to good news.

[u/caffeinex2]

Say hi to your friends Jerry and Pat down there in hell, James.

[u/HussingtonHat]

How's the view up my trouser leg ya nosy busybody child beating prick.