Current Events Archives

Pastors’ Sermons Subpoenaed in Houston

The city of Houston has subpoenaed sermons given by local pastors.

Yes, you read that correctly.

It’s a chilling turn of events for those of us who practice our faith and value the self-evident right to religious freedom recognized by the First Amendment.

The reason why this subpoena is being made is especially ominous: It targets high-profile pastors who opposed the Houston Equal Rights Ordinance (HERO), which, among other things, gives people who identify as transgender the right to file a discrimination complaint if they’re barred from accessing a restroom.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, pastors, policy, religious liberty October 15, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Adrian Peterson: A Good Parent?

Adrian Peterson was back in court yesterday, but the USA Today headline from last week jumped out at me:

“Associates of Adrian Peterson only see evidence of ‘a good parent’”

The embattled former Minnesota Vikings star running back was indefinitely suspended last month after charges of child abuse against him were made public. He’s admitted to disciplining his son with a switch, although he suggests he never intended to harm the boy.

The pictures of the bruises suggests a much different and sordid story.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, parenting, pop culture October 9, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Should We Respond to the Ebola Outbreak?

Are you worried about the Ebola virus? Daily headlines about the disease are generating more than a little fear and anxiety in our culture. When Ebola was confined to the other side of the world it didn’t seem like a pressing problem to many people in the U.S., but after an infected man brought the disease from Liberia to Texas in late September, a lot more Americans began paying close attention. Today news outlets are reporting the sad news that the infected man, Thomas Eric Duncan, has died.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news October 8, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

SCOTUS and Gay Marriage: No Court Can Change the Truth

Google “Supreme Court” and “gay marriage” today, and you’ll get dozens of articles on today’s news that the justices rejected to hear appeals from five states. The New York Times headline declared the move a “tacit victory,” because it allows for weddings in five more states.

Here’s the statement Focus on the Family’s judicial analyst, Bruce Hausknecht, released today in response.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to accept five state marriage cases sets the stage for the further spread of same-sex marriage, and with it, a further expansion of threats to religious freedom.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, policy, religious liberty October 6, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When Political Correctness Endangers Children

The children were beaten, raped and trafficked.

Conservative estimates put the number of underage victims at about 1,400.

A recently-released report published by an independent auditor describes what happened in Rotherham, England – and it is a difficult read.

It is hard to describe the appalling nature of the abuse that child victims suffered. They were raped by multiple perpetrators, trafficked to other towns and cities in the north of England, abducted, beaten, and intimidated. There were examples of children who had been doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, threatened with guns, made to witness brutally violent rapes and threatened they would be next if they told anyone.

Topics: Current Events Tags: kids, news, policy September 19, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

University Christian Clubs Not Allowed to Require Leaders to be Christian

It’s a disturbing trend taking place on university campuses around the nation. Thanks to a 2010 Supreme Court decision, state universities are now allowed to restrict “belief organizations from requiring belief.”

The way this is playing out in real life is that Christian clubs are no longer allowed to require their members and leaders to be Christian.

Yes, you read that correctly. Pretty much defeats the purpose of having the club, doesn’t it?

And yet, in the name of inclusiveness, some state universities (like the California State University system) are choosing to impose this nonsensical restriction, and private schools like Vanderbilt University are following suit.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, pop culture, religious liberty September 15, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Blog: Hollywood Gets It Right Sometimes, Like Right Now

Today’s post comes courtesy of Bob Waliszewski, director of Focus’ Plugged In department. -JD

I’ve been accused of seeing the glass half empty when it comes to today’s movie releases. For example, during a recent meeting, a colleague who helps with Pluggedin.com shared the reaction of a potential advertiser to my rating a film 4.5 out of five for family friendliness: “Really?!Bob never gives a film that high of a score!”

Although far from the truth, I laughed along with the rest of the folks in the room who enjoyed the punchline.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, pop culture September 12, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ray Rice, Domestic Abuse and the Quest for a Chivalrous Society

The release and indefinite suspension earlier this week of (former) Baltimore Ravens football player Ray Rice has stirred up a robust discussion about domestic violence.

A videotape of the 27-year-old running back punching his then-fiancee, Janay, inside an Atlantic City casino hotel elevator surfaced on Monday. The incident occurred in March, and was reported to both NFL and team officials. Rice pleaded not guilty to third-degree aggravated assault and agreed to enter a rehabilitation program and get counseling.

Topics: Current Events Tags: marriage, news, pop culture September 12, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Remembering Chick-fil-A Founder S. Truett Cathy

By now you likely know that S. Truett Cathy, the beloved founder of the popular Chick-fil-A restaurants, died this morning. He was 93.

With more than 1,800 stores and $5 billion in annual sales, Truett will be remembered by many as an entrepreneurial genius, a fast-food pioneer and an astute man of business. His rags-to-riches story should inspire anyone. Opening a diner in Hapeville, Georgia, in 1946, Mr. Cathy launched the now iconic brand on a shoestring.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture September 8, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Despite Alzheimer’s, He Remembers He Loves Her

Doris Amrine called the police after her husband went missing.

Her worry was understandable. Three years after Melvyn’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, he needs help to accomplish tasks like walking around the block. With his memory slipping away, Melvyn has trouble remembering how he had proposed to his wife of 60 years.

But the story I want to share with you today isn’t about what Melvyn has forgotten – it’s about what he remembered on the day he left the house.

Topics: Current Events Tags: husband, marriage, news, wife September 5, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura