news Archives

Update on Chick-fil-A

Back on January 28th I wrote that Indiana University had banned Chick-fil-A from its South Bend campus. University officials were concerned about Chick-fil-A’s donation of food to a marriage conference in Pennsylvania.

In essence, IU was offended that a vendor appeared to be in support of traditional mainstream (biblical) values.

Well, they are apparently offended no more. Chick-fil-A is back at Indiana University.

Raving fans rejoice!

“I heard from many students, faculty, staff, alumni and citizens from across the area, the state and the country,” said Chancellor Una Mae Reck.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture, religious liberty February 7, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Philadelphia Grief

When a tape of an Oval Office conversation from January 23, 1973, was released in 2009, many were surprised that President Nixon expressed ambivalence when talking about the Supreme Court’s decision the day before that legalized abortion.

The White House issued no statement on the day Roe v. Wade was decided. On the tapes, Nixon expressed concern that broader access to abortion would foster “permissiveness” and that it “breaks the family.” Yet, he also said he saw reasons why it might be necessary, such as – shockingly and offensively – in cases of interracial pregnancies.

Topics: Current Events Tags: kids, news, pro-life January 24, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thirty Years Ago Today

It was as if the day were scripted in Hollywood by the pen of Frank Capra, inclusive of pomp and pageantry, dreams and high drama, culminating at high noon, no less, all as the world watched.

In Washington, D.C., January 20, 1981, was cold and cloudy, but as Ronald Wilson Reagan took the oath, the overcast sky parted and a ray of sunshine fell upon the western front of our nation’s Capitol. Across the globe in Iran, 52 Americans hostages were loaded onto a plane and finally released following 444 days of captivity.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, news, policy January 20, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Arizona Shooting

Mourners will gather tonight in Tucson, Arizona for a Memorial Mass at St. Odilia’s Church for victims of Saturday’s tragic shooting.

Amidst the unspeakable sadness and act of remembrance, there is a beautiful poignancy to the purpose of such ritual. As part of the Catholic rite of the Mass, communion will be shared. While there are distinctives regarding communion among various traditions, it remains a vital part of Christian worship for believers the world over. To reenact Christ’s Last Supper is to be reminded not just of Jesus’ sacrificial death, but the hope His rising from the dead brings to those of the Christian faith.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, news January 11, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thank You, Larry King

When Larry King signs off tonight for the final time as host of his award-winning CNN TV show, what will his last words be? Only Larry knows, but chances are they’ll be simple, sincere and straightforward.

Just like him.

When Lawrence Zeiger tried to break into radio back in 1957, moving from Brooklyn to Miami to live with his Uncle Jack, he had to convince his boss to let him get on the air. He was hired to clean the station studio and office, but the 23-year-old had big dreams beyond his initial assignment.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, news, pop culture December 16, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Thoughts on Leslie Nielsen

The actor Leslie Nielsen died yesterday in Florida from complications associated with pneumonia. He was 84.

I read something in his obituary that struck me as somewhat instructive. I thought I’d shared it with you here.

Most people remember the Canadian native as a comedic actor, especially for his role as the bumbling Dr. Rumack, a passenger in Airplane, a spoof movie from the 1980s. In the latter part of his career, Mr. Nielsen was the king of the deadpan and dry delivery and became famous for exchanges like this one from Airplane:

Dr.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture November 29, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Black and White Problems

Bob Herbert is a respected and decorated opinion columnist for The New York Times. On the paper’s website he’s referred to as a journalist known for his “fearless articulation of unpopular truths.”

This past Monday Mr. Herbert lived up to his billing when he opined about the heartbreaking state of the African-American family.

The veteran columnist served up a one-two punch. After noting that black boys and girls are three times more likely to live in single-parent households than white children and twice as likely to have a parent without a full-time job, he dove directly into the heart of the crisis:

The first and most important step (to fix the problem) would be a major effort to begin knitting the black family back together.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, husband, news November 18, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Television Moms and Dads

Given the endless challenges facing the state of the faith, the family, the country and even the world, you might not think I should be spending my time writing about television parents, but please humor me, won’t you?

By now you’ve probably heard of the passing of the always elegant Barbara Billingsley, that supermom of the 1950s iconic television program, Leave it to Beaver. Mrs. Cleaver cooked and cleaned the house in a dress and pearls and was always there to welcome home the boys, Wally and Theodore, and her faithful husband, Ward.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, family, news, pop culture October 22, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Special to CNN.COM

Our friends at CNN.com invited me to contribute to its discussion on anti-gay bullying. Although we’re prohibited from republishing my piece in its entirety, we are permitted to share a small portion and link to the full piece.

I welcome your thoughts!

My Take: Christianity Not to Blame for Anti-Gay Bullying

Editor’s Note: Jim Daly is president of Focus on the Family and author of Stronger: Trading Brokenness for Unbreakable Strength (David C. Cook, 2010).

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, homosexuality, news October 21, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Craigslist and Sex Ads

I’ve never met Jim Buckmaster, and the chances are good that you haven’t either. But you’ve no doubt heard of Craigslist, the online site he’s run since 2000.

What started as a “hobby” of the company’s founder, Craig Newmark, is now a major presence on the Internet. From selling a bicycle to buying tickets to the big game, Americans have embraced its convenience and ease of use. What used to take days and dollars to pull off – placing a classified ad in a local newspaper – can now be done in a matter of mere minutes.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, news, sex September 16, 2010 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura