Bryan Fischer

This article is about the U.S. sociopolitical commentator. For other people with a similar name, see Brian Fisher (disambiguation).
Bryan Fischer
Born 1951 (age 60–61)[1]
United States
Occupation Conservative radio host, blogger, political activist
Spouse Debbie Fischer
Children Two

Bryan Fischer is the Director of Issues Analysis for the American Family Association (AFA). He hosts the talk radio program Focal Point on American Family Radio and posts on the AFA-run blog Rightly Concerned.

He is a supporter of conservative causes, such as the right to life and opposition to national health care, and has been active in city and state politics.[2] Fischer's controversial comments on racial and ethnic minorities were cited by Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in explaining the hate group designation they gave to the AFA in November 2010.[3]

Biography

Fischer has an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Stanford University, and holds a graduate degree in theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. Fischer served at the Cole Community Church in Boise, Idaho and founded the Cole Center for Biblical Studies and was the church's director for thirteen years. Fischer then founded Community Church of the Valley and was senior pastor for twelve years. Before joining the board of directors of American Family Association, Fischer was also executive director of Idaho Values Alliance.[2]

In 2004, he co-founded the Keep the Commandments Coalition, a group dedicated to keeping a Ten Commandments monument in Julia Davis Park in Boise, Idaho. From 2000 to 2005, he served as a commissioner for the city's Park and Recreation Department.[2]

In November 2010, the SPLC changed their listing of the AFA from a group that used hate speech to the more serious one of being designated a hate group.[4][5][6][7][8] The SPLC's Mark Potok said that the AFA's "propagation of known falsehoods and demonizing propaganda" was the basis for the change.[9][10] Fischer's anti-gay comments were given as an example by SPLC in support of the hate group designation.[3]

References

  1. ^ Newsweek
  2. ^ a b c Biography at American Family Association. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
  3. ^ a b Potok, Mark (December 15, 2010). "SPLC Responds to Attack by FRC, Conservative Republicans". Hatewatch. Southern Poverty Law Center. 
  4. ^ Schlatter, Evelyn (Winter 2010). "18 Anti-Gay Groups and Their Propaganda | Southern Poverty Law Center". Splcenter.org. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/winter/the-hard-liners. Retrieved 2010-12-17. 
  5. ^ Waddington, Lynda (November 23, 2010). "Groups that Helped Oust Iowa Judges Earn 'Hate Group' Designation; SPLC Adds American Family Association, Family Research Council to List". Iowa Independent. http://iowaindependent.com/47947/groups-that-helped-oust-iowa-judges-earn-hate-group-designation. Retrieved November 25, 2010. 
  6. ^ "SPLC's Anti-Gay Hate List Compiled With Diligence and Clear Standards | Southern Poverty Law Center". Splcenter.org. 2010-12-23. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-s-anti-gay-hate-list-compiled-with-diligence-and-clear-standards. Retrieved 2011-03-19. 
  7. ^ Eichler, Alex (November 23, 2010). "13 New Organizations Added to Anti-Gay 'Hate Groups' List". The Atlantic Wire. The Atlantic Monthly Group. http://www.theatlanticwire.com/national/2010/11/13-new-organizations-added-to-anti-gay-hate-groups-list/22153/. Retrieved April 22, 2011. 
  8. ^ Benen, Steve (December 18, 2010). "This Week in God". Political Animal. Washington Monthly. http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_12/027153.php. Retrieved April 22, 2011. 
  9. ^ Banks, Adele M. (November 29, 2010). "Religion News Service: Hate group watchdog adds Family Research Council to its list". The Pew Forum. The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life. http://pewforum.org/Religion-News/RNS-Hate-group-watchdog-adds-Family-Research-Council-to-its-list.aspx. Retrieved April 22, 2011. 
  10. ^ Nelson, Josh (November 29, 2010). "Judge-ouster supporters blast 'hate' label". WCFCourier.com. http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/article_0d224deb-9ca4-5f17-9ae0-cdd5c98e47f5.html. Retrieved April 22, 2011. 

External links