policy Archives

HBO’s John Oliver Attacks Focus on the Family

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.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, homosexuality, policy March 19, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Going Beyond the Gun Control Debates

Last week’s extraordinary public debates about guns, both at the White House and at CNN’s Florida Town Hall, were highly emotional and contentious events. Over a week after the catastrophic carnage in Parkland, Florida, debate concerning what to do about it is raging red-hot, and understandably so. People committing violent acts with guns is a growing epidemic, particularly in schools. Since early January, in addition to Florida, there have been school shootings in Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, news, policy, pro-life February 27, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Pain Capable Bill Defeat Is a Cowardly Case of Radical Politics

Last night’s Democrat-led Senate filibuster of the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a bill that would make it illegal to abort a baby after 20 weeks, is an egregious and cowardly case of radical ideological politics coming at the expense of innocent life.

The Senate needed 60 votes in order to advance the bill. In the end, 51 senators voted for it and 46 against. Three Democrats crossed the aisle to support life – Joe Manchin (West Virginia), Bob Casey Jr.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, policy, pro-life January 30, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Expressing Pro-Life Views in a Winsome Way

I could have been aborted.

I was born in the ’60s prior to Roe v. Wade, but even then many people felt my mother would have been justified to abort me. She was the perfect candidate. She was 42 and in a high-risk pregnancy. My dad was an alcoholic, and I was the fifth child of a marriage that was already struggling to stay together. I was born into a household in turmoil.

I could have been aborted.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, policy, pro-life January 16, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus on the Family Celebrates 40 Years of Inspiring Families Worldwide

In 2017, Focus on the Family celebrated 40 years of strengthening marriages, equipping parents, speaking on behalf of those who can’t speak for themselves and addressing public policy issues affecting the family.

“It’s an honor to be part of 40 years of strengthening millions of families,” Focus on the Family President Jim Daly expressed. “Our work in helping couples in crisis has contributed to over 170,000 marriages saved in 2017 alone. There are similar stories about people’s lives changed for the better through our efforts in evangelism, parenting, advocacy for children and engaging the culture, as well.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: church, entertainment, events, faith, family December 29, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How Christians Can Share God’s Truth on Sexuality in an ‘Anything Goes’ Culture

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.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, homosexuality, policy December 26, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Jim Daly Statement on Masterpiece CakeShop Hearing

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.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, homosexuality, policy, religious liberty December 5, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Save the Adoption Tax Credit!

Yesterday’s release of the Republican’s “Tax Cuts and Job Act” fulfills a long-anticipated campaign promise dating back to 2016. At 429 pages, the proposed legislation is still being carefully reviewed and assessed, but we’ve learned enough about it to offer an initial reaction.

First, I’m grateful for tax reform and tax cuts for the middle class. In the current proposal, the Child Tax Credit will go to $1600 from $1000, plus an additional $300 credit for each parent and non-child dependent.

Topics: Current Events Tags: adoption, policy November 3, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Jane Doe’s Legal Battle to Abort Exposes Reality of Legalized Abortion

It’s a story that’s intertwining two contentious issues of our day: abortion and immigration.

I’m talking, of course, of the case out of Texas involving a pregnant 17-year-old girl being held in a federal detention center since crossing the border illegally in September. This unaccompanied minor, “Jane Doe,” is 15 weeks pregnant and is trying to get an abortion.

Her case ended up in the court system, with the government arguing in court that it does not have a duty to “facilitate” an abortion.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, pro-life October 25, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Justice Delayed is Justice Denied: Senators, Please Continue to Confirm Judges

One of Focus on the Family’s top public policy priorities for the Trump Administration has been appointing top-notch judges who interpret the Constitution and our laws as written and originally understood.

That’s because our federal courts have been filled with judicial activists who rewrite the laws and Constitution to reflect their own personal preferences. It’s been because of these activist judges that we have legalized abortion, legalized same-sex marriage – and some lower courts are even reinventing the definition of “sex” in discrimination laws to include biological men who identify as women, and vive versa.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, religious liberty October 13, 2017 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura