Sarah Pulliam Bailey of Christianity Today has the latest on Focus on the Family’s interview of TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie. Summary:
1. Focus President Jim Daly recorded an interview with Mycoskie in front of about 1,500 people on June 30 in Orange County, California at a “Style Your Sole” event.
2. After groups that disagree with the ministry over same-sex marriage and abortion criticized Mycoskie for appearing at the event, he apologized, saying, “Had I known the full extent of Focus on the Family’s beliefs, I would not have accepted the invitation to speak at their event.” Mycoskie was not specific in what policies he disagrees with Focus on.
3. Jim Daly has responded:
“Yes, we believe marriage is a sacred, lifetime union between one man and one woman. Yes, we advocate in the public policy arena for laws that uphold that truth,” Daly said in the statement. “But the same Bible that tells us God’s design and intent for marriage tells us all people are created in His image and are worthy of dignity and respect.”
“While we may disagree with those who spearheaded this effort to get TOMS to distance themselves from us, our desire is not so much to defeat them at the ballot box as it is to bring them closer to the heart of Jesus Christ — the only hope any of us have for the forgiveness and overcoming of our sins,” Daly said.
Daly said Mycoskie’s apology was an “unfortunate statement about the culture we live in, when an organization like ours is deemed unfit” over beliefs about marriage. “It’s also a chilling statement about the future of the culture we live in,” he said.
Read the whole thing.