In a curious reference to Paul Cameron, Ilene Lelchuk reported on gay adoptions in San Francisco yesterday.
What is odd is her reference to Paul Cameron being the foundation for Focus on the Family’s policy on gay adoptions when she writes:
Focus on the Family’s objection to same-sex parents is grounded in interpretation of biblical scripture and research by Paul Cameron, director of the Family Research Institute in Colorado. Cameron says gays and lesbians are unfit parents, are more likely to molest children of their same sex, switch partners frequently, have shorter life expectancies and cause their children embarrassment and social difficulties.
Problem is Focus on the Family doesn’t use Cameron’s research. In addition, it seems strange to insert Cameron in the article at that juncture. It gives the appearance that Cameron was being interviewed in some way on behalf of Focus.
UPDATE: 5/22/07 – The SF Chronicle added this clarification:
CLARIFICATION: In an article about San Francisco’s campaign to get more gays and lesbians to adopt foster children – as well as an opposing evangelical campaign to get more Christian families to adopt — the Chronicle quoted Paul Cameron, director of the Family Research Institute. The article should have noted that Cameron, who believes gays make unfit parents and self-published dozens of articles he said were based on his research, was expelled from the American Psychological Association in 1983 when he refused to subject his work to peer review. The article also should have reported that his Family Research Institute was named a hate group in 2006 by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Still no clarification that Focus on the Family does not rely on his work.
Also for accurate information about the Focus adoption initiative, see their Voice of the Orphan website.
Question for Warren: Don’t you think that part of the blame for mistaken “linkages” lies not so much with the liberal media but with the “pro-family”, “anti-gay” groups and individuals themselves? How does one tell them apart? They seem to form unholy alliances all the time — and with not much research or forethought — the EXODUS/NARTH/CAMERON link is case in point.
Grilled Cheese + Tomato Soup = Love!
Timothy,
I agree. Get children out of group homes and into small family groups where there is a caring parent who does just as you say.
It makes me smile, to this day a bowl of tomato soup makes me feel good. My mom used to serve that up with a grilled cheese sandwich and all was well again. No matter her failings or imperfections, she did care and tomato soup was our que.
I acknowledge that the media is sometimes sloppy. It really should be more careful. But all (or most) of these anti-gay individuals and organizations are (or have been) linked in some way.
They share striking similarities in their ideology, theology and tactics. I try to keep up on these things — but sometimes even I have trouble keeping my homophobes (pardon the expression) STRAIGHT.
I also want to comment that when it comes to adoption, I support both the efforts of gay couples and the efforts of Dobson. We can argue at some other day as to whether the kids are being “subjected to religious indoctrination” or “being denied both a father and a mother”. But in the meanwhile they will be getting someone to serve them tomato soup when they are down, a hug when they fall, an evening spent over math homework at a kitchen table, and an authoritey to say “where were you, who were you with, and what did you do?!?”
The Biblical family model as we have known it for five millenia will be destroyed.
We will not be able to marry our sister like Abraham, or two sisters like Jacob (even if we purchase them with 7 years of labor), or marry for political gain like David, or have 1000 wives and concubines like Solomon. Why, I tell ya, Western Civilization will come to an end.
The family as it has been know for five mellennia is a myth when you research it and really get into the biographies of who was raised by who and where and why. Michael – read Stephanie Koontz’s book The History of Marriage – you’ll get a kick out of it.
“Barring a miracle, the family as it has been know for five millennia will crumble, presaging the fall of Western Civilization itself.†Sept. 2002
“The homosexual agenda is a beast. It wants our kids.†May 2004
Regarding the above quotes: Who said what? Cameron or Dobson? How could the press possiblty confuse or link these two men? Bad press.
Has FOTF clearly disavowed Cameron? As recently as last month, groups closely associated with FOTF were still citing his “research”.