Current Events Archives

JDD Statement on the Passage of the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018

Focus on the Family is pleased to learn that an important new law protecting the rights of persecuted Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East has been signed into law by President Trump.

The law, known as the Iraq and Syria Genocide Relief and Accountability Act of 2018, authorizes the State Department to provide humanitarian assistance to religious minorities who have been the targets of genocide in those countries. It also authorizes assistance to any entities that criminally prosecute those suspected of committing genocide, wars against humanity or war crimes in Iraq and Syria.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, genocide December 14, 2018 by Jim Daly

Here’s How You Can Help to Save Teen Lives

A few years ago, Newsweek Magazine made a heartbreaking observation in the form of a paradoxical question. Speaking of El Paso County, Colorado, home of Focus on the Family and over a hundred other Christian ministries, they asked:

How is it possible that one of the top five places to live in the country also suffers from one of the worst teen suicide rates?

According to the most recent information, 49 youth under the age of 18 died by suicide between 2014 – 2017 in El Paso County.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, kids, parenting, suicide December 12, 2018 by Jim Daly

Join Us at the March for Life this January!

In a little more than a month, advocates for life will be gathering together for the annual March for Life in Washington D.C.

This year mark’s the 46th anniversary of the tragic Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in all fifty states. Year in and year out, those of us who believe that every life should be protected under the rule of law gather in the cold of January and protest this modern-day genocide.

Why do we do it?

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, pro-life December 7, 2018 by Jim Daly

President George H.W. Bush’s Tough But Wonderful Life

When news broke this past Friday night of President George H.W. Bush’s passing at the age of 94, press reports were quick to mention his “patrician” pedigree. The son of a United States senator, the New England-bred Mr. Bush attended an elite prep school and later Yale University.

Implied in such a reference is the insinuation that George Herbert Walker Bush began life with a lot compared to the average American, which wouldn’t be entirely untrue.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, news December 4, 2018 by Jim Daly

Jim Daly Statement on the Death of President George HW Bush

“Our nation’s forty-first president, George H.W. Bush, was the embodiment of human decency, an honorable gentleman of great manners, class and grace. He was a man who exemplified the importance of faith, family and freedom. He selflessly dedicated his years to the service of his nation. He was a man who saw life in terms of missions to tackle and promises to keep. He was faithful to the end. His death yesterday in Texas at the age of 94 marks the completion of his earthly journey and the beginning of life eternal.In the passing of President Bush, America has lost a champion and the world has lost a friend.”

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, news December 1, 2018 by Jim Daly

Did the Pilgrims Really Wear Hats with Buckles?

Despite the seemingly unprecedented animosity directed towards people of Christian faith these days, religious persecution is not a new concept.

The Pilgrims who first established the Plymouth Colony in 1620 had encountered more than their fair share of religious bias prior to leaving England. They came here seeking religious liberty—one of the very same principles that would later be enshrined in our Constitution.

I recently had the opportunity to interview an expert on the Pilgrims for the Focus on the Family Broadcast.

Topics: Current Events/ Family and Home November 21, 2018 by Jim Daly

CBS Sunday Morning Show Left Out Jeff Johnston’s Powerful Testimony About Leaving Homosexuality

CBS Sunday Morning recently ran a story about what they called “conversion therapy” – a vague, broad term used by opponents of professional therapy or spiritual support for those with unwanted homosexuality.

They depicted some pretty extreme and even abusive practices. They also interviewed our staff member Jeff Johnston. Unfortunately, they left out an important detail about his background. Let me allow him to explain:

You’d think that a segment critical of therapy for unwanted homosexual attraction would at least acknowledge there’s another side to the story – especially when one of the people you’re interviewing has a powerful testimony about how counseling for his unwanted same-sex attraction did, in fact, contribute to his journey away from homosexuality.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, homosexuality, news November 14, 2018 by Jim Daly

EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Investiture Service of Justice Brett Kavanaugh

By: Tim Goeglein

The late/great novelist Tom Wolfe once posited that there would arrive a moment where fiction would lose its relevance because the reality of American life was so much more compelling and, at turns, unbelievable.

Such was the week or so after the midterm elections in Washington DC. It was a little like living inside a dynamic, almost surreal novel.

On Capitol Hill, the balance of power shifted from red to blue in the House of Representatives.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, government, supreme court November 9, 2018 by Jim Daly

The Election is Over. Now What?

The dust is beginning to settle after yesterday’s historic mid-term election. Politicos and pundits have been analyzing and dissecting the results, some of which are not yet final as ballots continue to be tallied. Earlier today, President Trump conducted a dramatic, combative and at times, explosive press conference from the East Room of the White House where he weighed in on the “split decision” rendered by the American people.

As I mentioned in my initial statement last evening, the outcome included both good news and bad news for Christians concerned about the family, the sanctity of life, religious freedom and free speech.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, government, news November 7, 2018 by Jim Daly

Jim Daly Statement on Mid-term Election Results

It appears that many of the pundits were correct when they predicted that Republicans would hold their majority in the U.S. Senate while Democrats would gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. This result is both good news and bad news for Americans concerned about the family, the sanctity of life, religious freedom and free speech.

The very good news is that it appears the U.S. Senate can continue to forge ahead with confirming the excellent judges the President has been nominating for the federal bench, almost all of whom have been constitutionalists, such as Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, government, news November 6, 2018 by Jim Daly