news Archives

Guest Post: How Does the Hobby Lobby Decision Affect Wedding Vendors?

The Supreme Court’s June 30 decision, which protects Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties from having to pay for possible abortion-causing drugs in company health plans, was a necessary win for religious freedom. The Court’s opinion, written by Justice Alito, relies on the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to reach its conclusion that religious freedom trumps the government interest in this instance.

Many Christians are already asking: “Well, if religious freedom can trump a government law, then could wedding vendors refuse to participate in same-sex weddings on religious grounds?”

In several cases over the past few years involving Christian photographers, bakers, and florists, state courts and civil rights commissions have said “no.”

Does Hobby Lobby change things?

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, homosexuality, news, pro-life, religious liberty July 3, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

BREAKING: Supreme Court Upholds Religious Freedom

This is a great day for religious freedom.

The Supreme Court’s decision in the Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties cases is a much-anticipated and wonderful affirmation as the court process proceeds. It shows that religious freedom continues to be the lifeblood of a country founded on the inalienable rights afforded to us by our Creator.

We rejoice with the Green and Hahn families who are now free to continue serving the public, their loyal employees, and their God without having to compromise their faith.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, pro-life, religious liberty June 30, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Grief Without Despair: What Seattle Pacific University Students Taught Me

Earlier this month, a young male started shooting a gun at Seattle Pacific University, a Christian school. Before he stopped to reload his weapon, he had killed one and injured three others.

A 22-year old student, Jon Meis, put himself in harm’s way to stop the gunman from inflicting further harm. Meis used pepper spray to incapacitate the shooter before knocking him down. At that point, other students jumped in and helped subdue the shooter.

Bucking the narrative

Sadly, these stories of public shootings follow a familiar storyline by now.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news, relationships June 23, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: What You Need to Know About Religious Liberties Cases Before SCOTUS

Two cases currently before the U.S. Supreme Court are of special interest to many people of faith because they deal with the issue of religious liberties. I’ve previously asked you to pray for these cases because of their far-reaching implications and because the families behind the companies are committed Christians who need our support.

Cases like these tend to be complicated, drawn-out and tough to follow, which is why I’m glad to have Focus’ judicial analyst, Bruce Hausknecht, guest blog.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, pro-life, religious liberty June 19, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is There a Right Time to Start a Family?

The headline certainly draws you in: “Don’t Call Me Grandma: Births to ‘Older’ Moms on the Rise.” The report from NBC News highlights the growing trend of women over age 35 who are having their first baby.

Delaying pregnancy has become the new normal, and there are many reasons why this is so. First of all, men and women are both marrying at an older age. Another reason is many people – most markedly, women – are pursuing college or advanced degrees that pressure them to dedicate time to developing their careers instead of starting a family.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, kids, marriage, news June 18, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Ultimatum that Saved a Marriage

His marriage was dead. It was past acrimony and fighting. Comedian Jeff Allen and his wife, Tami, were at a stage of apathy.

After years of his alcoholism and fits of rage, it got to the point where Tami always had her back to Jeff.

Finally, one night, Jeff and Tami were in bed when he tried to talk with her – except she refused to turn around.

“No, please,” she said.

“What’s the problem?” Jeff inquired.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: divorce, family, marriage, news, promos June 4, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus Joins with National Institute of Marriage to Help Couples in Crisis

We’ve all seen a marriage in crisis.

We all know people who have struggled (or are struggling) within their marital relationship.

Maybe that someone is you.

Or perhaps it’s someone you love, like a son or daughter or your best friend from high school.

You can’t stand to see the marriage falling apart. You feel helpless.

When you ask, you’re told that everything that can be thought of has been tried.

Traditional counseling. A visit with the pastor.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: faith, husband, marriage, news, wife June 3, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Congratulations to Focus Radio Theatre on Industry’s Top Win

Focus on the Family Radio Theatre’s production of the Charles Dickens classic “Oliver Twist” won the 2014 Audie Award for Best Audio Drama.

An Audie is a significant achievement for anyone involved in spoken word entertainment. The special recognition is the genre’s equivalent to the Academy Awards given out to exemplary movies and films.

So in a sense, it’s like saying Focus on the Family’s “Oliver Twist” won an Oscar. And it’s our fifth Audie Award from the Audio Publisher’s Association.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: kids, news, pop culture, promos June 2, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Post-Abortive Woman Calls Focus Broadcast “Voice of Hope” (VIDEO)

For those of us whose pro-life convictions stem from our Christian faith, the New Jersey Star-Ledger’s recent headline was disconcerting: “Why I perform abortions: A Christian obstetrician explains his choice.”

Willie J. Parker, who performs abortions up to the 24th week of pregnancy, explains his decision this way:

In listening to a sermon by Dr. Martin Luther King, I came to a deeper understanding of my spirituality, which places a higher value on compassion.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, news, pop culture, pro-life May 30, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Human Cloning Advancements Pose Serious Questions for Life Advocates

I consider myself blessed to live at a time where we benefit from so many advances in medical science. In terms of physical health, we’re all much better off today than we were or would have been just a few decades ago.

But what happens when the latest and greatest in medical science comes at the expense of another human life? How would you feel knowing that a human life was created only to be destroyed for your benefit?

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, pro-life, technology May 29, 2014 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura