Current Events Archives

From Bullied to Olympic Champion: Tamika Catchings-Smith

Did you know that Colorado Springs, where Focus on the Family is located, is an Olympic city? Our mile-high location and thin air make it the ideal place for more than 10,000 Olympians, Paralympians and Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center located here in town.

That connection helps explain why here at Focus we’re pretty excited about the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In my post yesterday I introduced you to two divers, both Christians, who will be competing in the Rio Games.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, news, pop culture August 5, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Good Dads Can Learn From “Bad Moms” (Guest Post)

The movie “Bad Moms” opened this past weekend in the number two slot, taking in $23.8 million. And despite the bad language and wild antics, the film delivers a lesson… to dads. I’ll leave you with Plugged In’s Paul Asay to share what he learned when he watched “Bad Moms” — so you won’t have to.

And I’d love to hear from you — what summer movie (in the theaters or on Netflix) can you recommend?

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, parenting, pop culture August 3, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

What Does Jesus Believe About Race?

A couple of weeks ago, I shared my concern that America seems to be sinking to a new low in race relations. The media has highlighted in graphic detail just how fractured our culture has become.

Even in times when our country has been at its most unified, racial division has remained an unresolved schism bubbling just below the surface. In the wake of severe racial strife over the past couple of years, the “Black Lives Matter” movement emerged, only to be quickly countered by “Blue Lives Matter” and “All Lives Matter” groups.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, pro-life July 28, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Can You Keep Your Family Safe in Public Restrooms?

It was 2008 when my state of Colorado passed what local media dubbed a “bathroom bill.”

In the days and weeks leading up to then Gov. Bill Ritter’s signing of the controversial bill, many people were incredulous when Focus on the Family warned the bill would open bathrooms and locker rooms to the opposite sex.

“The claims that are made in this campaign are not based in fact. They are based in fear,” Gov. Ritter’s spokesperson had said.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, homosexuality, news, policy July 21, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Pokémon Go: What Parents Need to Know

Today I want to share with you a piece by Adam R. Holz, who works on Focus’ Plugged In team, that will hopefully help you navigate the questions and requests your kids might have about the “it” game of the moment, Pokémon Go.

You can also download our free resource, “A Quick Pokémon Guide for Parents” online. Let me know your thoughts about the game — and our guide — in the comments section!

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, parenting, relationships July 20, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This is the Only Real Solution to the Terror Attack in Nice, France

The death toll from yesterday’s terrorist attack in Nice, France, was raised to 84 this morning. According to reports, two Americans were included in the count. The driver of the truck that rammed into the crowd, which had gathered to watch fireworks and celebrate Bastille Day, is Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel. He was shot and killed by police.

“France has been struck on the day of her national holiday,” said France’s president, Francois Hollande. “Human rights are denied by fanatics, and France is clearly their target.”

This latest episode of terror comes barely a month from the terrible shootings inside a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, where 49 people were murdered and 53 others were wounded.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, news July 15, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Were You Surprised by the Dallas Police Chief’s Comments?

Dallas Police Chief David Brown shared some very personal thoughts during a Monday news conference as he updated the media on the Thursday night attack.

“We’re asking cops to do too much in this country,” he said. “We are. You’re asking us to do too much. Every societal failure, we put it off on the cops to solve. Not enough mental health funding, let the cop handle it. Not enough drug addiction funding, let’s give it to the cops.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news July 13, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Sin is at the Center of the Dallas Police Murders

The people of Dallas are in mourning today and with them, all of America as well.

That a rally purported to serve as a peaceful protest to police-involved shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota (read my statement on the deaths on Facebook) turned violent is a stark reminder that sin and evil rage across every corner of every community of the country.

Here’s what we know:

During a “Black Lives Matter” rally last evening in downtown Dallas, 12 law enforcement officers and two civilians were shot.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pro-life July 8, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

One Nation Under God

American patriotism hits a high point at about this time every year. Independence Day celebrations remind us of our nation’s rich history of liberty.

But we’re also confronted with some very dark chapters that can tarnish the national pride we feel.

That paradox brings to mind an important question: “Should we love our country?”

Author Eric Metaxas says a lot of people today interpret love for America as nationalistic chest beating. Our pride is really nothing more than tribalism, they say.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith July 1, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus Responds to SCOTUS’ Abortion-Related Hellerstedt Decision

Friends: This is the statement we sent out to the media today. Please continue to pray for our country. -JD

***

Focus on the Family Responds to SCOTUS’ Hellerstedt Decision
“The Supreme Court rejected… commonsense regulations prompted by ghastly history of Kermit Gosnell’s abortion activities. Making all surgery as safe as possible for women is common sense and pro-woman.”

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family, released the following statement today in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Whole Woman’s Health v.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, pro-life June 27, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura