pop culture Archives

Engaging the Culture with Truth and Love

Our country is at a crossroads. Society is rapidly changing – and not always for the better. Some people call it “woke” or “cancel” culture, where only certain points of view are allowed to be expressed.

Many Americans feel like these disturbing seismic changes happened overnight. The truth is our culture has been chipping away at the Judeo-Christian value system for decades. Increasingly, the Christian viewpoint is unwelcome in public settings. And that problem will only become more challenging for families and for the church.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, pop culture September 14, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Plugged In Launches New Website With Additional Features

In today’s world of smartphones and YouTube, it can feel impossible to keep pace with what our children are watching. Focus on the Family’s Plugged In website exists to help you and your children make informed media decisions.

If you have never visited the Plugged In website, I hope you will check it out.

If you are already familiar with Plugged In, you may have noticed that the website has a new look.

The new site is designed to make it easier to view the latest content and explore different categories.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: movies, parenting, pop culture, technology February 26, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt’s SAG Awards Interaction Demonstrates the Healing Power of Forgiveness

Hollywood was founded on the power of story, though the real-life ones off the screen between its stars sometimes draw more attention than the fiction we watch on film.

Which is maybe why Sunday’s night’s interaction between Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt at the Screen Actors Guild award show has lit up social media into something of a frenzy and elicited speculation the famed couple may soon rekindle their romance.

Married between 2000 and 2005, the pair have been spotted together numerous times of late, primarily at industry shows.

Topics: Uncategorized Tags: forgiveness, pop culture January 22, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Vince Vaughn, Thanks for Talking with Trump. Ignore the Leftist Mob and Keep Showing Us Civility

It was a familiar scene at a sporting event – amidst the action on the field, there’s amiable banter in the stands between fans. Catching up and carrying on, a pastime older than sports itself.

Nothing to see here, folks. Move along.

Unless you’re actor Vince Vaughn who happens to be caught on video talking with President and Mrs. Trump at the national championship college football game in New Orleans, La.

Twitter blew up Monday night after Timothy Burke, a former Deadspin employee, posted the short video, which was taken between the action of LSU’s 45-25 win over Clemson.

Topics: Current Events Tags: current events, pop culture January 15, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

We Can Counter Planned Parenthood’s Devious Plot to Influence Hollywood

It’s likely that you’ve never heard of Caren Spruch, but according to a recent article in the Washington Post, the 62-year-old is working quietly behind the scenes in Hollywood to advance Planned Parenthood’s deadly agenda.

According to her online bio, Ms. Spruch is the “director of arts and entertainment engagement” for an organization responsible for over 300,000 abortions each year in America.

If it sounds oxymoronic to you to put “abortion” and “entertainment” in the same sentence, you wouldn’t be alone.

Topics: Current Events Tags: current events, planned parenthood, pop culture October 11, 2019 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Unplugging Yourself to Connect with Others

Do you find it difficult to sit through church without touching your phone?

Does technology tend to decrease your productivity?

Do you often check your phone for calls, emails, or texts?

If you answer yes to questions like these, you may be nomophobic – you have a fear of being without your mobile phone.

Researchers at the University of Washington and the University of Michigan studied families with children between the ages of 10 and 17.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, pop culture, relationships, technology January 7, 2019 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Kavanaugh’s daughters should not have to watch their dad being bullied — When is all of this going to stop?

Have you been watching or reading anything related to the Judge Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings?

Sadly, yesterday’s proceedings devolved into chicanery and chaos. In fact, it got so bad that Judge Kavanaugh’s daughters had to be escorted out of the room.

I had the opportunity to react to this spectacle for FOX News. Click here to read my comments – and please let me know what you think.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, pop culture, religious liberty September 5, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Did Prayer Deliver the Boys in the Cave?

The agonizing 18-day ordeal and successful 3-day rescue of 12 school-age boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand has captivated the world’s attention. In fact, there is news out today that corporate executives are already negotiating book and movie rights to the story. You can be sure that both will be blockbusters, maybe even by next summer.

Throughout the nearly three-week ordeal, both social and traditional media were replete with calls for prayer – for the boys, their coach and the Navy Seals who ultimately coordinated and assisted in their dramatic rescue.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, pop culture July 11, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Focus President Jim Daly on the Nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh

Focus on the Family is pleased to support the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as an Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court. As a former law clerk to the retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy, with a long resume of public service as well as private legal experience, Judge Kavanaugh is a top-drawer candidate to replace his former boss on the nation’s highest court.

A graduate of Yale and Yale Law School, Judge Kavanaugh has served in the Solicitor General’s Office, as well as in the George W.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, pop culture July 9, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Guest Post: Your Teen Wants to Watch “13 Reasons Why”? Here’s How to Respond

By: Danny Huerta

Friday’s release of the second season of 13 Reasons Why, the popular teen television drama, is bound to generate enormous interest – and controversy.

According to a Northwestern University study, the show’s highly-rated first season on Netflix significantly increased conversations among teens on difficult topics, but not necessarily in positive or healthy ways.

The same study also revealed that almost 80% of teens and young adults who watched the show felt it helped them understand the ripple effect of their behaviors, but it didn’t necessarily inspire them to reach out and repair relationships with those they hurt.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, parenting, pop culture May 23, 2018 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura