James Dobson (The Associated Press)

The declaration reads in part: "I pledge to have respect for people whose abilities, beliefs, culture, race, sexual identity or other characteristics are different from my own."

The pledge is promoted by the We Are Family Foundation, which produced a new children's video in which popular cartoon characters like SpongeBob SquarePants and Barney sing tolerance-themed songs.

The video was shown to more than 1,000 elementary schools across the country on March 11 as part of the "We Are Family" day.

To Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, "diversity" and "tolerance" are "buzzwords for homosexual advocacy."

"While the video is harmless on its own, I believe the agenda behind it is sinister," Dobson said in a statement posted to his group's website. "Childhood symbols are apparently being hijacked to promote an agenda that involves teaching homosexual propaganda to children."

Particularly threatening to Dobson is the Center-sponsored tolerance pledge. He first spoke out against it at a January meeting of the Family Research Council. His comments generated a national media firestorm, with one prominent media outlet labeling him "the intolerant Dr. Dobson."

Created five years ago as part of the Center's National Campaign for Tolerance, the pledge "asks people to take an affirmative stand for understanding and respect," said Jennifer Holladay, director of the Center's tolerance education programs.

To date, thousands of people from across the country have signed it.

'For all our differences, we share one world'
In doing so, they promise to "examine my own biases and work to overcome them, set a positive example for my family and friends, work for tolerance in my community, speak out against hate and injustice. For all our differences, we share one world. To be tolerant is to welcome the differences and delight in the sharing."

Dobson likened the pledge to "nonsense" and expressed dismay that children across the county would be "coerced" into supporting its message.

This is not the first time he has spoken out against the gay and lesbian community. In an essay posted on the Focus on the Family website, Dobson warned parents that the gay community is "the greatest threat to your children."

"God's love has room for everyone," Holladay said. "How unfortunate that Dr. Dobson and so many of his followers can't muster simple tolerance for their gay and lesbian brothers and sisters."

Not only will the Center continue promoting the pledge, Holladay said, it also will practice what it preaches.

"I believe in Dr. Dobson's right to hold and express his beliefs," she wrote in an essay posted February 9 on Tolerance.org. "I also believe that our democracy allows for both Dr. Dobson and a child with two moms."

The Declaration for Tolerance currently is available on the Center's website and in the Center-produced booklet 101 Tools for Tolerance. The guide can be downloaded from www.tolerance.org.

SPLC Report
March 2005