religious liberty Archives - Page 3 of 17

Personal Reflections on Judge Neil Gorsuch’s Swearing In Today (Guest Post)

Tim Goeglein, Focus on the Family’s vice president of external and government relations in our Washington D.C. office, had the privilege of being a guest for the swearing-in of Judge Neil Gorsuch as the newest member of the United States Supreme Court. Here are his reflections. – J.D.

Today was the most beautiful day of the year in Washington. The skies were blue; the birds were singing; the spring tulips were in full bloom on the South Lawn of The White House; it was a festive occasion as the newest member of the Supreme Court prepared to take his seat at the high bench.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, religious liberty April 10, 2017 by Jim Daly

The Most Important Event of a Millennium

Life Magazine once published a list of the “Most Important Events of the Millennium.” Among the top ten were the discovery of germ theory, the Holocaust, and the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Number one on that list was the Gutenberg Bible printed in the 1450s and the first book to be mass produced. According to Life Magazine, no other event in the past 1,000 years has changed the world as dramatically as the Bible becoming available to the common person.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, religious liberty March 24, 2017 by Jim Daly

Christian Business Owners Who Dissent on Same-Sex Marriage are Free Speech Heroes

I’ve shared with you many times about the growing number of Christian businesses who are being sued for refusing to service same-sex commitment ceremonies and weddings.

At first blush, one would think that this is a religious freedom issue – and obviously, that is the case.

But have you considered that these are also free speech cases?

Let’s look at what’s happening to Washington State florist Barronelle Stutzman, who is the owner of Arlene’s Flowers.

A born-again Bible-believing Christian, Mrs.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, policy, religious liberty February 22, 2017 by Jim Daly

Statement on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

This is the statement I sent to the media tonight. -J.D.

Jim Daly statement on the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court

I am greatly encouraged by the President’s nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court created by the untimely death of Justice Antonin Scalia last year. President Trump included Judge Gorsuch on his list of potential justices during his campaign, and he kept his promise to choose a candidate from that list.

Topics: Current Events Tags: news, policy, pro-life, religious liberty January 31, 2017 by Jim Daly

Chip Gaines Models These Four Biblical Behaviors in His Recent Tweets

If you’re a fan of home improvement shows, it’s hard not to love Chip and Joanna Gaines, the stars of the hit HGTV reality program “Fixer Upper.”

The couple has taken the television world by storm since the show first aired in 2013. And while they’re talented home renovators and savvy businesspeople, those aren’t the main reasons for their popularity.

Fans will happily tell you there’s something different about the Gaineses. They’re kind, funny, and devoted to their four young children.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, news, pop culture, religious liberty December 7, 2016 by Jim Daly

Meet Middle East Christians Ready to Die for Jesus Christ

They pooled their resources to buy a graveyard.

Pastor Fareed Assad was secluded in an underground room with ten members of his leadership team when he issued this ominous invitation:

“ISIS is overtaking our region,” he said. “God may be calling some of you to flee and some of you to stay. Take a week to pray and fast. If God calls you to stay, come back to this location one week from today.”

By some estimates, half the population in Syria is homeless.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, faith, religious liberty November 4, 2016 by Jim Daly

Newsboys and Focus Join Together to Encourage Students

There’s a familiar voice helping raise awareness of students’ First Amendment rights in schools: Michael Tait of the award-winning Christian band the Newsboys.

He’s been voicing video and radio promotions raising awareness of “Bring Your Bible to School Day,” the Focus-sponsored, student-led event taking place next Thursday, Oct. 6. (You might have heard him talk about the issue if you’re a listener of K-LOVE, WAY-FM, or Christian channels on Internet radio and satellite radio. He’s even appeared on our recent broadcast highlighting the event!) Here’s one of his video spots:

Not only that, but the Newsboys are encouraging students to share God’s hope by partnering with us on an exciting giveaway that gives fans a chance to win a free trip for four to hear the Newsboys LIVE in concert in Dallas, Texas!

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, faith, kids, promos, religious liberty September 28, 2016 by Jim Daly

One Practical Way Parents Can Encourage their Kids to be Bold in their Faith

Last Friday on my blog I shared a troubling trend with you: schools banning Bible verses. Despite students having a clear Constitutional right to include Bible verses in their personal work projects, or with their friends outside of classroom time, some children are finding themselves silenced when it comes to their faith.

However, I also shared a way for students to celebrate their First Amendment rights: the Focus on the Family-sponsored and student-led “Bring Your Bible to School Day,” which will be held on Oct.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, events, faith, parenting, religious liberty September 19, 2016 by Jim Daly

Why are Schools Banning Bible Verses?

Mackenzie Fraiser’s PowerPoint assignment for her sixth grade class was called “All About Me.”

But it turned out her Las Vegas-area public charter school didn’t really want Mackenzie to share about herself. Because when the sixth grader, the daughter of a pastor, included a slide with one of her favorite Bible verses … her teacher told her to remove it.

Mackenzie was told she wasn’t allowed to use “biblical sayings” in assignments. That left the young girl feeling like she wasn’t supposed to talk about her faith at school.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: events, kids, news, religious liberty September 16, 2016 by Jim Daly

The Glaring Inconsistency of the NCAA’s Boycott of North Carolina

Earlier this week the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) – the group that oversees about 460,000 student-athletes and more than 1,000 colleges and universities – announced it was relocating “all seven previously awarded championship events from North Carolina for the 2016-2017 academic year” due to its commitment to “fairness and inclusion” over the state’s bathroom bill.

The moving is sweeping in its scope, though not surprising given our culture’s desire to be viewed by the world as “inclusive” – not “homophobic.”

But the NCAA’s move is intellectually perplexing.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, news, policy, religious liberty September 14, 2016 by Jim Daly