policy Archives

Our Magnificent Obsession

Fred Barnes is the executive editor of the Weekly Standard and an astute political writer and commentator. I want to call your attention to his most recent column. It was titled “Hidden Persuaders: The unheralded gains of the pro-life movement.”

Fred writes:

That the pro-life movement is bigger is a given. It’s also younger, increasingly entrepreneurial, more strategic in its thinking, better organized, tougher in dealing with allies and enemies alike, almost wildly ambitious, and more relentless than ever.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, pro-life November 17, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is This Taking a Love of Dogs Too Far?

What would you say if I told you that a Texas Appeals Court has just elevated the value of a person’s pet over the value of people in some instances?

It’s a peculiar and sad story – and one that illustrates the unintended consequences of heightening (or surpassing) the status of a pet over that of a person.

The drama began two years ago in Fort Worth, Texas. It was there that Katherine Medlen’s eight-year-old dog, Avery, somehow escaped from the house.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, news, policy November 16, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Government as Family

The late Nobel laureate in economics, Milton Friedman, warned many years ago that the more government does for the family, the less those in the family are likely to do for themselves.

Do you agree?

Dr. Friedman was not alone in his concern about the negative impact government subsidies can have on private households. History tells us that unintended consequences often accompany even well-meaning bureaucratic intervention. Over thirty years ago a contemporary of Friedman, Martin S.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting, policy November 15, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

A Historic Clash for Religious Liberty

As a contributor to Newsweek’s On Faith blog I was recently asked the following question:

Q: John Garvey, President of The Catholic University of America wrote on the op-ed page of the Washington Post Sunday about the new health insurance regulations which, he writes, “will require Catholic University to offer its students sterilization procedures and prescription contraceptives, including pills that act after fertilization to induce abortions. If we comply, as the law requires, we will be helping our students do things that we teach them, in our classes and in our sacraments, are sinful — sometimes gravely so.”

Is this just?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, pro-life October 11, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Your “Federal Family”

President Ronald Reagan used to joke that the nine most terrifying words in the English language were, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”

It was one of his classic tongue-in-cheek references, but memorable because it contained a grain of truth.

Well, according to a recent report, some officials are taking his faux warning to heart.

A review of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website suggests that the term “government” is out and the phrase “federal family” is in.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, policy September 13, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Normalizing Pedophilia

Culture has always been rife with evil. It was the apostle Paul who declared, nearly 2,000 years ago, in fact, that “the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). Yet, he also spoke with hope, urging Christians to “not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).

My faith tells me this is true, that light will always overcome the dark. Still, despite such divine assurance, the presence of evil in society is a very heavy and heartbreaking reality.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, policy, sex August 31, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

VIDEO: Defending Marriage on Capitol Hill

Focus on the Family has been proudly and consistently defending the sanctity of marriage for decades. The institution was created by God Himself as a sacred covenant between one man and one woman for the benefit of the human race. And despite efforts by a vocal minority to redefine this multi-millennial institution, we will never tire or grow weary in our ministry of upholding God’s plan.

Many of you are familiar with my friend and colleague, Tom Minnery, who serves as our senior vice president of public policy here at the ministry.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy, religious liberty July 21, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

No Candy Cane For You!

America has become a peculiar place, especially for people of faith in general, and Christianity in particular.

Last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard arguments involving a religious discrimination case out of Plano, Texas. Students of several elementary schools in that district have been strictly prohibited from referencing Christmas and even vague Christian references and symbols.

This means that red and green Christmas colors are banned from the classroom in December, and students who write cards to soldiers or shut-ins at retirement homes are not permitted to write “Merry Christmas” on any of the correspondence.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy May 31, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Last Survivor of World War I

When Army Corporal Frank Buckles returned from World War I in 1920, he was just another face in the crowd. Nobody stopped him to talk. He gave no interviews. He wasn’t invited to ride in any parades. He received no honors nor fanfare. In the icy cold of the January morning he simply stepped off the transport ship and slipped back into the quiet of civilian life.

What a difference 91 years can make.

Frank Buckles was laid to rest with full military honors yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery, the last surviving veteran of the “War to end all Wars.”

He was 110.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, family, policy March 16, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

As Seen in The Washington Post

As many of you know, I am honored to serve as a panelist on the Washington Post’s On Faith blog. I thought I would share this week’s contribution with you.

Here is the question that was posed to me:

The U.S. House of Representatives voted last week to eliminate federal funding for Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions, along with a variety of health care services for women. The Virginia General Assembly last week approved legislation that requires abortion clinics to be regulated as hospitals, and providers say the stricter regulations will force many of them out of business.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, policy, pro-life March 8, 2011 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura