It appears that Focus on the Family® wishes it could have it both ways—a glowing reputation for defending abuse victims and the steady flow of donations tied to being fiercely anti-divorce. But it can’t. And yet, they’re trying hard to keep both plates spinning.
Their newest article discusses the reality of abusive marriages, compassionately describes these victims in detail, and explains the dangers of staying in domestic violence when there are children. It gives credible evidence of how abuse damages children — and it tells abused wives to leave! This truly reflects the heart of Jesus, to rescue the captives and side with the vulnerable.
Exact quote from the article:
“If things intensify to the point where you and your children must leave, you must have a plan.”
But then Focus feels compelled to mention “God hates divorce” TWO times! And “divorce is a sin,” TWO times. (This is not only cruel, it’s also false: The Bible never includes divorce in any list of sins, and “God hates divorce” is not the oldest, most traditional, or correct interpretation of the Hebrew in that passage. There are passages in Scripture that condone divorce for abuse.)
Focus on the Family® didn’t have to put “divorce is a sin” in their article on domestic violence, but they did.
In fact, this is common for them. This FOTF article by Lainey La Shay is not the first one. They do it often and even added “God hates divorce” in an article on a wife whose husband has a pattern of sexually exploiting children in “unspeakable ways.”
Why? Because Focus on the Family wants to attract wealthy donors who appear to care more about stopping divorce than in the safety of domestic violence victims
Let that sink in.
That mixed message traps godly parents into staying—and destroying the wellbeing of their children.
The truth is simple: you cannot champion survivors while clinging to messaging that shames the very escape route that saves their lives. Trying to do both only leaves victims burdened with fear and guilt and endangers them and their children.
Protecting people requires clarity, not brand management and lust for money. Abused wives, husbands, and children deserve better.
So, Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family—
The crossroads is clear. You can align with the God who rescues the vulnerable, or you can continue repeating “divorce is sin” messaging that keeps some of your donors happy. Those two paths lead in opposite directions.
Read more:
—Divorce does not appear in any list of sins in the Bible.
—Focus on the Family uses “Stop Divorce for $30” as their donor marketing, click HERE.
—Jesus condoned divorce for sexual immorality.
—Paul condoned divorce for abandonment.
—Three passages in the Old Testament command divorce when there is neglect/abuse/apostasy.
—God describes himself as having divorced Israel, and never took her back. In the book of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 3:8), God says he’s the victim of serial adultery. The leaders of Israel were so unfaithful that God divorced them. What was the result? The 10 northern tribes (called “Israel”) got wiped out by the Assyrian Empire in 722 BC, and never returned. God himself is a divorcee.
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