Current Events Archives

GQ Just Called You a Fool

According to Jesse Ball, a writer in the latest issue of GQ Magazine, the Bible is an overrated and boring book. In fact, the 39-year-old novelist and poet went on to characterize the Old and New Testaments as “foolish,” “repetitive” and “self-contradictory,” among other things.

Understandably, Jesse Ball’s assertions have stirred up significant controversy. But this isn’t the first time that the Chicago-based writer has made curious, perplexing and outlandish pronouncements. For example, just last year he suggested that every American should be put in a maximum security prison once every ten years – for up to ninety days at a time.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, pop culture April 25, 2018 by Jim Daly

Senators Mitch McConnell and James Lankford on Faith, Family, and Leadership

Several weeks ago, I had the privilege of being in Washington, D.C., to talk with media and government leaders about the importance of the family in the culture.

Two of my meetings were with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky and Senator James Lankford from Oklahoma. They both shared perspectives about faith and family that I believe Focus on the Family’s listeners will want to hear. We’re airing those conversations on our broadcast “Protecting Life and Family Values in the Senate.”

Our discussions weren’t specifically political, but, still, that is the Senators’ sphere of influence.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, family, policy April 19, 2018 by Jim Daly

Jim Daly Statement on the Passing of Barbara Bush

The death today of former first lady Barbara Bush, the wife of the 41st president, George H.W. Bush and the mother of the 43rd, President George W. Bush, marks the earthly conclusion of a remarkable and well-lived life. She was 92.

Lovingly nicknamed the “Silver Fox” by her adoring husband, Barbara was married to George for 73 years, a record for a presidential couple. As a wife, her commitment was unprecedented and as a mother to six, her love was unconditional.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, news April 17, 2018 by Jim Daly

Beauty from Ashes

A little over three years ago, in February of 2015, 21 Christian men were martyred by ISIS on a beach in Libya. Their story captured the world’s attention for a brief time, but soon other stories, both important and trivial, stepped in to grab the spotlight. Such is the nature of the news cycle.

On occasion, I have used this blog to bring updates on what is happening in the area where those brave men sacrificed their lives in Christ’s name.

Topics: Current Events/ Focus Events Tags: church, events, faith April 17, 2018 by Jim Daly

This California Bill Threatens Religious Freedom

A bill threatening free speech and religious freedom is quickly moving through the California state assembly.

What’s it all about?

Assembly Bill 2943 (AB 2943) uses the state’s consumer fraud statute to penalize religious freedom and free speech on the issues of homosexuality and gender identity.

The bill adds “sexual orientation change efforts” to the state’s “Consumer Legal Remedies Act.”

How does this affect people of faith?

Both Scripture and Christian teaching are clear about God’s good plan for marriage and sexuality: God designed marriage to join one man and one woman in a committed, exclusive, lifelong relationship.

Topics: Current Events April 10, 2018 by Jim Daly

The Curious “Comedy” of Stephen Colbert

This past Easter Sunday, Stephen Colbert’s animated television show, “Our Cartoon President,” not only lampooned the President (which is expected), but Colbert also had the nation’s chief executive talk crassly about severing a part of God’s anatomy.

Of course, his defenders will says it’s just a joke – satire on steroids. After all, how can we take a cartoon seriously?

Mr. Colbert is an entertainer, and as such, he understands how to get a strong response from a crowd.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, faith, humor April 4, 2018 by Jim Daly

Should Our Christianity Be Private or Public?

Today is Good Friday, the day Christians remember Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins. Sunday is Easter, the day we celebrate His resurrection.

The rest of the world spends this season conjecturing about who Jesus is or debating whether or not He ever existed.

Throughout the culture, the story of Easter is seen as having everything to do with personal faith and nothing to do with objective truth. Religion, it’s believed, doesn’t deal with facts, it deals with personal experience and feelings.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, church, faith March 30, 2018 by Jim Daly

Walmart Removes Cosmo. Could Brio Take Its Place?

In a surprise move yesterday, the retail giant Walmart announced that it will stop selling the controversial magazine Cosmopolitan at the checkout shelves in over 5,000 of its stores.

The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company will still continue to carry the magazine, but it’ll be housed in a less prominent part of the store.

Meggan Kring, a spokesperson for Walmart, said, “While this was primarily a business decision, the concerns raised were heard.”

Over the years, those concerns came from plenty of frustrated parents and organizations like Focus on the Family, but most recently from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE).

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, events, sex March 28, 2018 by Jim Daly

Does Focus on the Family Promote “Gay Conversion Therapy”?

In recent years, reporters and commentators have repeatedly and regularly alleged that Focus on the Family has practiced and endorsed so-called “gay conversion therapy.”

Here are the facts.

As an unapologetically Christian organization, we believe sexuality is a gift from God designed to be stewarded according to the principles He has outlined in Scripture. As part of that understanding, we believe in and support the availability of professional counseling in matters of sexuality that is respectful, safe, ethical and responsive to the client’s values and desires.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, homosexuality, relationships March 21, 2018 by Jim Daly

HBO’s John Oliver Attacks Focus on the Family

Social media is abuzz today concerning HBO’s John Oliver’s Sunday night attack on Vice President Mike Pence and Focus on the Family. The “satirical” late-night talk show host’s screed was not just vicious in tone, but also vulgar and vile in every sense of the word and way.

Mr. Oliver’s rant was motivated by the release of a new book by Mrs. Karen Pence and daughter, Charlotte. Entitled, “Marlon Bundo’s Day in the Life of the Vice President,” the second family’s project is centered on the Pence’s pet rabbit.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, homosexuality, policy March 19, 2018 by Jim Daly