faith Archives

Is Tattooed Barbie a Sign of the Times?

When the late Ruth Handler conceived and created the first Barbie doll in 1959 (named after her daughter, Barbara), she was trying to come up with a simple toy that would resonate with preteen girls. The wife of Mattel’s co-founder and a savvy business woman, she quickly had a megahit on her hands. Over 350,000 dolls were sold in the first year.

Amidst the fame and fortune, though, controversy has continuously dogged Mattel’s franchise brand. Even in its early years, parents protested the doll’s unrealistic body proportions.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting, pop culture October 26, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Are Optimists Brain-Damaged?

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

According to some new research, individuals who regularly look at life from a positive perspective may likely do so because of “faulty” functioning of the brain.

In other words, those of us who are optimistic are, well, brain-damaged!

The study was conducted by scientists at the University College London. Based on the research findings, optimistic people tended to reject negative information, especially if it pertained to them.

As a self-acknowledged optimist, I’m inclined to reject these findings!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 25, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Gospel Is Timeless

The gospel of Jesus Christ confronts and challenges the modern world with the statement that it alone has the answer to all man’s questions and the solution to all his problems. In a world that is seeking a way out of its tragedy and its troubles, the gospel announces that the solution is already available. In a world that is feverishly looking to the future, and talking about plans for the future, the gospel proclaims that the search is not only mistaken in direction, but is also quite unnecessary.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 21, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

On the Murder of Christians in Egypt

By now you have heard that an estimated 26 Christians were killed in Egypt this past weekend. This is not the first time that Christians have been targeted in violent acts over there. Since the ouster of former President Hosni Mubarak, Cairo and its surrounding cities have become a dangerous place for followers of Jesus Christ.

The Associated Press is reporting that the ruling council and deputy defense minister are attempting to place the blame for the violence on the very people being persecuted:

At a lengthy news conference to present their version of the events, generals from the Supreme Council of Armed Forces showed footage of priests and a Coptic Christian activist they accused of instigating the violence on Sunday night with calls for demonstrations and storming the state television building.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, events, faith, news, religious liberty October 14, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Can You Imagine Forgetting Your Spouse?

It seems like a scene straight out of Hollywood, but with a script almost too implausible to believe – even for fictional film:

At the time a pilot and CEO of a private jet company, former NFL player Scott Bolzan, slips on some oil at work, falls hard, hits his head on concrete and forgets everything.

And I mean everything.

Rushed to the hospital, a nurse informed him that his wife was on the phone. Not only didn’t he know who his wife was – he claims he didn’t even know what a “wife” was!

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage October 13, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Meet a Twenty-Something Who Doesn’t Believe in Sex Outside of Marriage

Do you know couples who live together outside of marriage?

So do I.

In fact, the narrative has become a familiar theme, even within the Christian church: twenty- and thirty-somethings have grown sour on the institution of marriage, for all kinds of reasons. But instead of swearing off romantic relationships (after all, “Love does make the world go ‘round”), couples have decided to move in together. Give it sort of a “test-run.”

No wedding, no ring, and presumably, no worries.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, marriage, pop culture, relationships October 12, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Historic Clash for Religious Liberty

As a contributor to Newsweek’s On Faith blog I was recently asked the following question:

Q: John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America wrote on the op-ed page of the Washington Post Sunday about the new health insurance regulations which, he writes, “will require Catholic University to offer its students sterilization procedures and prescription contraceptives, including pills that act after fertilization to induce abortions. If we comply, as the law requires, we will be helping our students do things that we teach them, in our classes and in our sacraments, are sinful — sometimes gravely so.”

Is this just?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, pro-life October 11, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

In Christopher Columbus’ Own Words

Excerpt from the letter of Christopher Columbus to Luis De Sant Angel announcing his discovery.

The eternal and almighty God, our Lord, it is Who gives to all who walk in His way, victory over things apparently impossible, and in this case signally so, because although these lands had been imagined and talked of before they were seen, most men listened incredulously to what was thought to be but an idle tale. But our Redeemer has given victory to our most illustrious King and Queen, and to their kingdoms rendered famous by this glorious event, at which all Christendom should rejoice, celebrating it with great festivities and solemn Thanksgivings to the Holy Trinity, with fervent prayers for the high distinction that will accrue to them from turning so many peoples to our holy faith; and also from the temporal benefits that not only Spain but all Christian nations will obtain.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith October 10, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

‘Hate’ Is Too Big a Word to Be Used with Such Little Restraint

I’m delighted to be in Atlanta today attending the annual Catalyst Leadership conference. I’ll have more to tell you about the week’s events in the coming days, but for now wanted to share with you an essay I wrote on a very significant challenge facing Christians. The following piece was published by CNN’s Belief blog.

Can you please let me know your thoughts and perspective? It helps me to be aware of where you’re at these days on such vital matters pertaining to our public expression of faith.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, homosexuality, marriage October 5, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Did You Hear What Ozzie Guillen Said?

Ozzie Guillen was introduced last week as the new manager of the Florida (soon-to-be Miami) Marlins, a struggling Major League Baseball franchise. A former player, Guillen managed the White Sox for the last eight years and regularly made headlines for expletive-laden and eccentric comments.

In fact, a few years ago, when a reporter asked him if he was planning to resign his position, Guillen replied, “I’m not a quitter. When I want to quit, I’ll do a lot of stupid things and make sure they fire me and get paid.”

The Venezuelan-American didn’t exactly make good on his promise, but he did react rather colorfully to the press when contract negotiations with Chicago in late September failed to satisfy his financial demands.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, finances, pop culture October 4, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura