Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2017
Controversy over church tax classification
Tax specialists and critics questioned the organization's decision to identify itself as a church or association of churches because it lacks features commonly associated with congregational worship. Focus said the classification was primarily intended to protect donor confidentiality.
2014
Criticism of Singapore relationship workshops
Focus on the Family Singapore faced complaints that workshops for junior-college students promoted sexism and restrictive gender stereotypes. A participating school described the program as ineffective, and the workshop series ended before the close of the year.
2011
Disputed ultrasound statistic
A member of Congress cited a statistic attributed to Focus suggesting that most women who viewed fetal ultrasound images chose to continue their pregnancies. Focus later stated that it had not released the cited data, while subsequent research questioned a direct causal effect of ultrasound on abortion decisions.
LGBTQ advocacy-group classification
The Southern Poverty Law Center classified Focus on the Family as an anti-LGBTQ hate group because of its positions and advocacy concerning same-sex relationships, LGBTQ rights, and related public policy. Focus on the Family rejects that characterization.