Current Events Archives

The Court Rules: Now Do These Four Things

For Christians, the emotional response to the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage has run the gamut, and understandably so. It would be impossible to overstate the significance of Friday’s announcement.

In my statement to the media, I urged believers to continue engaging the culture with loving kindness and to be a light in these dark times. I joined many other Christian leaders in signing the “Here We Stand” evangelical declaration that, among other things, cautions against responding in panic to this ruling.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, pastors, religious liberty July 1, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

This Question on Same-Sex Marriage from a Journalist Surprised Me

News of the Supreme Court’s decision to impose same-sex marriage on all 50 states spread quickly on Friday.

Unpacking what this decision means, and its implications, will take a lot longer.

We’re starting that process of better understanding what the redefinition of marriage means to our country and our religious liberties on today’s Focus on the Family broadcast. We discuss this important topic with two noteworthy guests: former Focus board member Dr. Al Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theology Seminary, and Dr.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, policy, religious liberty June 29, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

No Court Can Change What Marriage Is

Statement by Focus on the Family President Jim Daly on the decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges marriage case:

“Today the Supreme Court issued a disappointing decision that imposes same-sex marriage on all 50 states.

“Although this result was predicted by many observers, the action of the Court is nonetheless startling in its rejection of a societal understanding of marriage that goes back to the dawn of civilization. It tramples on the democratic process by overturning the will of more than 60 percent of Americans who voted on the issue and creates a new federal constitutional right in an area where our founding document is silent.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, marriage, news, policy, religious liberty June 26, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Your Christianity Born of Convenience or Conviction?

All eyes are on the Supreme Court this week as we await the historic decision in the Obergefell v. Hodges case. Seven cases remain on their docket. The justices will be issuing rulings tomorrow and Friday and possibly again on Monday. It’s impossible for us to know exactly when the decision will be announced, but this much is certain:

By this time next week we’ll know whether or not five or more justices have found a constitutional right to same-sex “marriage” in all 50 states.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, policy, religious liberty June 25, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Authentic Christianity in Charleston

When I first blogged about the horrific shooting at Charleston’s historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, authorities were still piecing together what had happened. What we’ve learned since then makes the tragedy all the more awful.

The pastor and eight congregants killed on last Wednesday night were targeted because the suspected shooter, 21-year-old Dylan Roof, wanted to start a race war.

By all accounts, this young man was filled with hate. Friends say he talked of the “need for whites and blacks to be segregated,” and that “he wanted to hurt lots of people.” An online manifesto that authorities say appears to be written by Roof is laced with racism, including statements that blacks are inferior to whites.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news, pro-life June 24, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Elisabeth Elliot Showed Me What True Conviction Looks Like

I was in my early 20s and returning from a year of college in Japan when a friend invited me to hear Elisabeth Elliot speak in Kansas City.

She lit that auditorium of more than 18,000 people on fire.

As you most likely know by now, Elliot passed away on June 14 at the age of 88. She was a heroine of the faith, one of the most influential Christian women in the 20th century.

Here was a woman the world first met in 1956 when her husband, Jim Elliot, was among the five missionaries speared to death by the Auca Indians in Ecuador.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith June 22, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

We Ache for the Church and Faith Community of Charleston

We grieve with our brothers and sisters in South Carolina today as they mourn the deaths of nine people – including their beloved pastor, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney – at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Authorities believe the shooting was racially motivated. The suspect, now in custody, is a 21-year-old white male, Dylann Roof. Inexplicably, he was said to have sat in on the worship service for almost an hour prior to opening fire on those in attendance.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, news June 18, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Supreme Court Decision Won’t End This

Just as Roe v. Wade didn’t end the abortion debate, it’s unlikely the Supreme Court decision on same-sex marriage via the Obergefell v. Hodges case will stop our nation’s passionate discussion on marriage.

On the contrary, I suspect the forthcoming ruling will mark the beginning of a long and protracted controversy about not only marriage, but religious freedom.

Why?

Before I answer the question, let’s briefly look to the possible outcomes expected at the end of the month.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, news, policy, religious liberty June 17, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Seven Stories You Should Know About

A news summary on issues that matter.

North Carolina Law Protects Freedom of Conscience

Good news: A bill that will permit court officials to decline performing same-sex marriage responsibilities became law yesterday in North Carolina. According to House Speaker Tim Moore, the law “protects sincerely held religious beliefs while also ensuring that magistrates are available in all jurisdictions to perform lawful marriages.”

The Value of Children in an Anti-Natality Age

World magazine features an insightful article about the growing anti-natality perspective in our culture, which often pits the environmental movement against childbearing.

Topics: Current Events Tags: finances, homosexuality, kids, news, pop culture June 12, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Shouldn’t People Be Allowed to Love Who They Want?

With the Supreme Court’s decision on the marriage case expected by month’s end, questions on homosexuality and same-sex marriage abound. We regularly receive inquiries from sincere Christians who want to know how to best navigate this sensitive topic with their children, neighbors, coworkers or friends. Other questions we receive, especially from members of the press, are from those who can’t quite understand why Christians can’t just “evolve” with the growing cultural consensus.

It’s important we understand this issue from both a legal and theological perspective.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, news, policy, religious liberty June 10, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura