Religious Freedom: Limited or Eliminating? – Mr. Doug Napier, Esq. on Engaging the Issues

January 8, 2013 By


It seems that the defense of religious freedom has shifted in recent decades. While America still value religious freedom, consistent vigilance is needed to ensure its defense.

One this episode of Engaging the Issues, Senior Vice President of Legal for Alliance Defending Freedom, Doug Napier, explains just how efforts to defend religious freedom have changed over the years and why we must must continue its defense.

Click here to listen now . . .

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Religious Freedom Tagged With: , , , ,

The Engaging Essentials – 11/8

November 8, 2011 By


Abortion is a Better Option for Many Would-Be Parents – This article, appearing in the WVU student newspaper, is just cruel.

A Modest Proposal to Reduce Unnecessary Divorce – “The Second Chances Act proposes new model legislation that includes a one-year waiting period for divorce, along with a requirement that parents of minor children considering divorce take a short online divorced parenting education course, which would include information on reconciliation. Spouses could trigger the one-year waiting period without actually filing for divorce by sending their mates a formal letter of notice. These requirements would be waived in cases of domestic violence.”

The Fortunate 10% – A picture to put the occupy wall street protestors to shame.  At least 90% of their non-chromosomally challenged brothers and sisters.

Strong Marriages = Strong Economies – “The long-term fortunes of the modern economy depend in part on the strength and sustainability of the family, both in relation to fertility trends and to marriage trends. This basic, but often overlooked, principle is now at work in the current global economic crisis.”

 

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Life, Marriage

The Engaging Essentials – 11/7

November 7, 2011 By


In the last two weeks, (1) I have moved offices across town, (2) charted a budget for 2012, (3) outlined a board report, (3) had a neighbor’s unmanned car run into my car and house, (4) replaced a totaled van (see #3), and (5) managed to keep the lights on with this organization.  I offer that in case you were wondering about where the Engaging Essentials had gone.  Something had to give.  Sorry it was the daily/regular editions of EE.

Salt and Light – A good reminder to us as we seek to be salt and light in the political world.

Good Intentions are Not Good Enough – “As marriage rates plummet and the percentage of intact families sharply declines, experiments that challenge the fundamental nature of the family are adding to the chaos that threatens civil society. A new report released this month by the Institute for American Values and the Commission on Parenthood’s Future explores the impact on children of such experimental arrangements throughout the world. The findings are cause for concern.”

The Limit of State’s Rights – Gary Bauer: “By invoking “states’ rights,” some Republican presidential contenders argue that national efforts to protect normal marriage and unborn life betray the federalist principles at the heart of conservatism.  I’ve always believed that the government that’s closest to the people governs best.  But the definition of society’s most vital institution and the protection of its most vulnerable persons are so basic to our understanding of democracy that they must be taken up nationally.”

Teacher Facing Discipline for Facebook Comment – This article highlights one of the many concerns we have about proposed Policy 4373 and why we have urged your action against it. Here’s the ACLU’s definition of religious freedom:”Edward Barocas, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union in New Jersey, said in a statement, ‘Although we do not agree with the sentiments expressed on Ms. Knox’s personal Facebook page, her beliefs and comments are protected by the First Amendment.’ But Mr. Barocas added, ‘Because her postings raised questions about her conduct within school, the school district can and should investigate whether she is performing her job in accordance with school policies and the state’s Law Against Discrimination.’”

Rob Reiner and a Prop 8 Movie – You can’t make this stuff up.

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Life, Marriage, Religious Freedom

The Engaging Essentials – 10/25

October 25, 2011 By


It’s a Girl! – The first line of this piece should be all you need to read to want to read the rest, “Millions of women obtain abortions because they do not want baby girls.”

Are We and Illegal Country? – This is just for fun.  Apparently there was a recent debate about whether the Declaration of Independence was legal and, thus, whether the United States of America is a legal country.  Evidently, though we won the war . . . we lost the argument!

Mandatory Sex Education – From New York: “Middle school students will be assigned “risk cards” that rate the safety of different activities, the paper says, from French kissing to oral sex.  The workbooks for older students direct them to a website run by Columbia University, which explores topics such as sexual positions, porn stars, and bestiality. The lessons explain risky sexual behavior and suggest students go to stores to jot condom brands and prices.”

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Life, Marriage, Religious Freedom

The Engaging Essentials – 10/24

October 24, 2011 By


The Best Introduction to Homosexuality: Causes, Change, and the Gospel – Justin Taylor links to a one-hour video that he labels, “the best one-hour introduction you can find—or at least that I have found—for looking at” these issues.  Seriously, you owe it to yourself to engage this topic like this.

Religion and 2012 – Here’s coverage of how religion will play a part in the 2012 election.  Spoiler: it has nothing to do (well almost nothing) with Mormonism.

Anti-Gay Hate and Pro-Gay Terrorism – Peter Sprigg from the Family Research Council: “Family Research Council opposes the entire concept of “hate crimes,” because we believe that criminal laws should punish actions alone, not the personal opinions of those who commit those actions. We hope that both the Illinois and North Carolina incidents will be thoroughly investigated, solved, and prosecuted on that basis. Nevertheless, the selective application of the hate crime law in Illinois shows that such laws are actually not applied on a neutral basis, but are used primarily when they will advance a politically correct cause, such as the affirmation of homosexual conduct.”

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Marriage, Religious Freedom

The Engaging Essentials – 10/21

October 21, 2011 By


Does SexEd Undermine Parental Rights? – Professor George is on a roll lately.  This from his article in the New York Times: “But beyond rival moral visions, the new policy raises a deeper issue: Should the government force parents — at least those not rich enough to afford private schooling — to send their children to classes that may contradict their moral and religious values on matters of intimacy and personal conduct?”

Cain on Abortion – Yesterday, Politico ran a story questioning Cain’s commitment to the pro-life community. Today, his campaign is working to clarify what he really believes regarding abortion.  This is a politically tight spot for him to be in, no matter what he actually believes.

They Died Holding Hands – You’ve probably seen this before, but here is your heart warming story of the week.  A couple married for 72 years who die within an hour of each other, holding hands.  May all of our marriages be so intimate.

Morgantown in Motion – A photographer in Morgantown has composed this time-lapse video of a great city in West Virginia: Morgantown.  No political/social news here, just a really cool video:

 

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Life, Marriage, Religious Freedom

The Engaging Essentials – 10/20

October 20, 2011 By


The New Singleness – Maggie Gallagher examines a peculiar aspect of our modern era: the celebration of singleness. “The truth is celebrating singleness—i.e., celebrating “not doing something”—makes no sense. Loving is better than not loving. Choosing to love and commit to a husband or a child is a much higher ideal than choosing not to; that’s why it needs to be celebrated and idealized.”

An Opportunity for Cain – The author is sorta right here.  If Cain wanted to vault himself into a permanent position among social conservatives (a demographic he both needs and seems to be losing), then he should support constitutionalizing DOMA.  The irony is that doing that is the same as passing a marriage amendment – the thing Cain has said he’s against.  Weird.

Glenn Stanton on, “The Human Case Against Same-Ses Marriage” – Exactly what it sounds like.  One of Focus on the Family’s good thinkers on the topic of marriage shares a speech he gave recently.  Worthwhile reading.  (Link opens a PDF)

‘Pieces of Children’ – Hauntingly disturbing words from a former Planned Parenthood worker:

 

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Life, Marriage

The Engaging Essentials – 10/19

October 19, 2011 By


Kellers on Marriage – Pastor Tim Keller and his wife have penned a new book about marriage.  It looks like a fascinating read.  It’s due out November 1, but if his publication company is reading . . . I’d be glad to review a review copy. ;)

TV Men in Crisis – I’ve had similar thoughts to those Ivette Algeria gives voice to over at Rising Voice.

Winning – Casey mattox makes some excellent points.  Watch the video he links to and, I think you’ll agree, it’s official: Planned Parenthood has jumped the shark.

Abortion Demographics and Religion – Not sure whether to be encouraged or discouraged by this graphic.

Ron Paul on Partial Birth Abortion – Ron Paul is spot on in his approach to at least one issue:

 

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Life, Marriage, Religious Freedom

The Engaging Essentials – 10/18

October 18, 2011 By


How I Wish the Homosexuality Debate Would Go? – Trevin Wax nails it.  Of course, it’s easy to write this, but – speaking from experience – much more difficult to speak this in front of a camera or behind a microphone.  Still, it’s an ideal worthy of study and imitation.

Pornography, Public Morality, and Constitutional Rights – Robert George: “There are real and substantial human and personal interests competing with those desires or interests we label “freedom of expression” when it comes to the question of art and pornography. If we, as a society, are to decide against the former interests—particularly if we are to do so categorically—we should face up to what we are prepared to sacrifice, particularly when it comes to the well-being of children. And if judges are to impose a decision against these interests on a public that views the matter differently, they should shoulder the burden of providing a legal and moral justification for doing so.”

What Do Marriage and Family Have to Do with Economic Growth? – A lot, apparently.

Would You Attend a Same-Sex Wedding? – Al Mohler takes on two culturally mesmerizing topics in one article: same-sex “marriage” and Joel Osteen.

Human Sexuality at the Center of Modern Controversies – Here’s a chart developed by Wayne Grudem that I had never seen before.  It examines something of a continuum of theological belief about gender and how that impacts issues of public concern.

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Marriage, Religious Freedom

The Engaging Essentials – 10/14

October 14, 2011 By


Religious Tolerance – Here’s an issue worth watching: the Obama administration’s director of faith based initiatives seems to be picking a fight with the head of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops . . . over marriage.

Teen Sexual Behavior – From the Heritage Foundation: “The recent data on teen sexual behavior gives cause for hope for the well-being and future prospects of the next generation. A combination of parental involvement and wise public policy can promote the trend toward youths’ abstinence and can bring that hope into reality.”  Al Mohler also covers it in today’s edition of The Briefing.

‘Where were the churches?’ – I’m guilty of asking this question sometimes too.  I wonder, though, if it’s the wrong question.  Shouldn’t we be asking, “What do the churches think?” or something like it?  The reality is that many faithful pastors have taught – at length – on this topic, whether they publicly lobbied or spoke out on it.  But, their opinion was not welcome in places of power, nor, evidently, was their teaching heeded by many of their congregants.  What do you think?

Faith in America – Fascinating dialog between one of my favorite, transplanted West Virginians, Robert P. George, and one of my favorite theologians, Dr. Russell Moore.  Give it a watch.

About Jeremy Dys

Jeremy Dys is the FPCWV's President and General Counsel. In addition to his duties of providing strategic vision and leadership to the FPCWV, Dys is the chief lobbyist and spokesman. Dys is regularly featured in local, state, and national print, radio, and television outlets. He lives close to Charleston with his wife and growing family.

Filed Under: Engaging Essentials, Marriage, Religious Freedom
« Older Posts