Daly Focus Blog
A homosexual activist once asked me, “When are Christians going to leave behind their medieval beliefs about sexuality and come into the 21st century?”
He was referring to the Bible, of course – which confronts all of us with some pretty powerful ideas that are not always easily digestible.
So, I responded, “Christians are followers of the Bible, not editors. We’re compelled to follow God’s Word because it’s His truth, and we believe Jesus when He says the truth sets us free” (John 8:32).
CBS Sunday Morning recently ran a story about what they called “conversion therapy” – a vague, broad term used by opponents of professional therapy or spiritual support for those with unwanted homosexuality.
They depicted some pretty extreme and even abusive practices. They also interviewed our staff member Jeff Johnston. Unfortunately, they left out an important detail about his background. Let me allow him to explain:
You’d think that a segment critical of therapy for unwanted homosexual attraction would at least acknowledge there’s another side to the story – especially when one of the people you’re interviewing has a powerful testimony about how counseling for his unwanted same-sex attraction did, in fact, contribute to his journey away from homosexuality.
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.
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.
What’s your problem with gay marriage? Why does it bother you? How does it affect your life or marriage?
I commonly get asked questions like that in secular interviews.
How would you answer? More broadly, how should the Christian community think about sexual identity-related issues in today’s culture?
Almost two years after Obergefell vs Hodges, the landmark 2015 Supreme Court decision that redefined marriage across all 50 states, social debate continues about homosexuality and transgender issues.
The eyes of the nation were on the Masterpiece Cakeshop case today at the Supreme Court, and for good reason.
The argument wasn’t just about Jack Phillips and his refusal to bake a cake for a same-sex wedding. Today’s hearing was about our freedom to practice our faith without interference from the government. And make no mistake – the outcome of today’s proceedings will impact every American – those with religious faith and even those with no faith at all.
A few Focus colleagues and I spent some time in California last week at a conference put on by our friends at Alliance Defending Freedom, the religious liberty legal defense nonprofit organization that, just last month, won the most important religious liberty case at the Supreme Court in recent history.
You can imagine my surprise, then, when a couple of days later some news outlets were reporting that ADF is a “hate group.”
Here are the headlines of the articles I’m referring to:
ABC News: Jeff Sessions addresses ‘anti-LGBT hate group,’ but DOJ won’t release his remarks
NBC News: Jeff Sessions Tells ‘Hate Group’ DOJ Will Issue Religious Freedom Guidance
The Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision in the Trinity Lutheran case marked ADF’s seventh win in seven years at the nation’s highest court.
At the risk of stating the obvious, it isn’t easy being a Christian student in a public school these days
Every day, these young people go to classrooms and cafeterias where discussions center on sensitive topics like homosexuality, transgenderism, gender identity – and most of the time, the conversations are one-sided.
That’s partly because an increasing number of teachers and school officials suggest there’s only one right way to think about topics related to sexuality.
Now, I know that’s a big claim, so let me back it up by giving you an example of how the “new” sexuality is being promoted in public schools.
What’s your problem with gay marriage? Why does it bother you? How does it affect your life or marriage?
I commonly get asked questions like that in secular interviews.
How would you answer? More broadly, how should the Christian community think about sexual identity-related issues in today’s culture?
Almost two years after Obergefell vs Hodges, the landmark 2015 Supreme Court decision that redefined marriage across all 50 states, social debate continues about homosexuality and transgender issues.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
