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  • Family and Religion

    Restore the family as the primary institution of civil society, and reclaim the fullness of religious liberty in America’s civic life.

    Family Fact of the Week: Healthy Marriage, Healthy Mind

    High-quality social science research shows that marriage is associated with a number of health benefits. Studies indicate a strong link between marriage and mental health, in particular depressive symptoms. Marriage can both affect and be affected by psychological well-being, through, for example, greater emotional and social support as well as … More

    Family Fact of the Week: Health, Marriage, and the New Year

    For many, the end of the holiday season and the beginning of a new year activates a new (or old) set of resolutions. A healthier lifestyle often tops such lists. While exercise and a better diet are the most-touted health contributors, marriage, as recent research suggests, can be a significant … More

    Family Fact of the Week: Oh Come, All Ye Faithful

    Despite the increasing effort to strike “Christmas” from our common vocabulary, 91 percent of Americans say that they personally celebrate the holiday, according to a LifeWay Research poll. While it’s not surprising that almost all self-identified Christians (97 percent) celebrate Christmas, 89 percent of agnostics or those with no religious … More

    2011 Victories and Challenges for Religious Liberty

    As the year draws to a close, we take a look back at a few of the victories and challenges for religious liberty during the past 12 months and look forward to greater respect and protection for religious liberty in 2012. HHS “Preventive Service” Mandate In August, the Department of … More

    U.N. “Rights” Protections Trending Toward Abortion, Islamophobia Rules

    As the Universal Declaration of Human Rights celebrated a birthday this month, it is worth noting how this document—noble in its original intentions—is often reinterpreted by advocates of a host of issues, resulting in a laundry list of new rights claims and corresponding government responsibilities thrust upon the 193 U.N. … More

    Marriage: Looking Back, Moving Forward

    How does marriage fare as the nation heads into the new year? Unfortunately, the most recent government data indicate that U.S. marriage rates are at an all-time low. Today, a little more than half of all Americans are currently married, compared to more than 70 percent five decades ago. Additionally, … More

    Family Fact of the Week: Parents’ Greatest Present Is Their Presence

    As Christmas approaches, malls and big-box stores are packed with parents seeking that special gift that will bring a smile to their children’s faces. Yet the greatest gift they can give will not be found in a store, though it does require substantial investment. The best present that parents can … More

    Morning Bell: Our Christmas Wish – The Gift of Gratitude

    Gratitude, it’s been observed, is a hallmark conservative virtue. We prize the heritage passed down to us through the generations. We look beyond ourselves to the wisdom of the ages to shape our outlook and to the enduring principles of America’s founding to ground our decisions today. Gratitude for what … More

    ADF Seeks Supreme Court Review for Christian Student Groups

    Last week the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) requested review by the U.S. Supreme Court in Alpha Delta Chi v. Reed, a case involving two Christian student organizations at San Diego State University. According to ADF, San Diego State University denied official recognition to the two Christian organizations because they require … More

    Why Handel’s ‘Messiah’ Endures

    It’s one of the most famous and widely shared pieces of music in history. Handel intended his oratorio “Messiah” for Lent, and it was first performed just after Easter 1742. But over the centuries, public performances of the masterwork became a rite of Christmas. It is 270 years since Handel … More