Then I received word today of a new contest related to the upcoming movie.

So I guess it’s time to see what updates are available about the latest ”Narnia” film and the new contest.

“Voyage of the Dawn Treader” is set to premiere Dec. 10 in theaters nationwide. If you are interested in viewing one of the official movie trailers, click here: “Voyage trailer” and scroll down once you click on the link.  

Now about the contest.  To participate in Focus on the Family’s “Focus on Christmas” contest,  tell in 200 words or less who is your favorite “Narnia” character and why you would like to go to the ”Voyage of the Dawn Treader” London movie premiere.

One winner will receive a trip for two to the London premiere.  

For more information about the contest, visit “Focus on Christmas.”

The “Narnia” films are based on the beloved children’s fiction book series by author and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis. Incidentally, there’s still a lot of discussion on the Internet about the merits of Walden Media making all seven of the books in the series into movies. Some folks argue that all of them may not translate well on the big screen while others are saying it will be a dream come true if all the books are made into film so they can have a complete movie set.

Also, here’s something else. The Internet Movie Database has a special link devoted to “Voyage.” Get connected to it here: “Voyage of the Dawn Treader.”

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor

The ad continues to cause talk as football fans await the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts.

I’ve seen lots of opinions on the issue being bandied about  on the Internet in the days since I last posted a blog on this issue. I just got a news release today that says an anti-abortion group called Wisconsin Right to Life has produced a Tim Tebow mask that people can wear on Sunday to show their support for Tebow and his mother Pam. For those who haven’t heard about the ad yet (it’s possible, I guess), CBS has agreed to air a Focus on the Family ad featuring Tebow’s mother, who will share her decision against abortion when she was pregnant with the young college football star. Some pro-choice groups are upset about the ad and demanding that CBS refuse to air it, while anti-abortion groups are rallying in its favor.

Back on the masks, Barbara Lyons, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life, said in a news release that they are a way to have a little fund and show the public that Tim and his Mom and Dad are “an inspiration to all of us.”

Learn more about the mask at www.wisconsinrighttolife.org.

Meanwhile, I saw lots of comments concerning my last posting on this issue.

I asked what people thought about the ad, whether CBS should air it or not. Here are a few responses:

“I hate Tim Tebow, as any Sooner should, but I say run it. How one-sided are we as a country if we cannot at least allow both side to be heard?” — EJP

“I’m confused by this reaction. Isn’t the pro-choice movement in support of choice? Why is it wrong for this mother to say she chose to have her child? — Cara

“Absolutely not. I will boycott not only the game but all the sponsors if they don’t retract this.” — Carolyn

Stay tuned for more on the issue …

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor    

In these days leading up to the game, a “pro-life” ad featuring Florida quarterback Tim Tebow’s mother Pam (pictured at right with Tim in a 2009 AP photo) continues to provoke some folks who are angry with CBS for agreeing to give it some air time on Sunday.

That’s right, it hasn’t aired yet but it’s causing a stir.

Several news releases on the topic are being sent out via the Christian Newswire every day. The New York Times has written an opinion piece on the issue and today I learned that  the NFL is being pressured by some “pro-choice” advocacy groups to demand that CBS drop the ad.

Apparently the ad in question is sponsored by the Christian organization Focus on the Family. It reportedly features Pam Tebow telling about her decision not to follow a doctor’s advice to terminate her pregnancy when she was pregnant with son Tim. The doc reportedly gave this advice because of  her difficult pregnancy and illness.

The National Organization for Women is one of the ”pro-choice” group that is incensed that CBS still plans to run the ad.

“Make no mistake about this ad: it’s offensive to women. Yes, it features Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow and his mother, who had been advised to have an abortion after a serious illness. Standing alone, it sends the message that all women who give birth are heroes; it sends a message that abortion is always a mistake; and it is insulting to the one in three women in this country who have abortions,” Erin Matson, NOW Action vice president, wrote in a posting on the organization’s Say It Sister blog.

Matson said CBS is accomodating Focus on the Family after previously denying ads from the United Church of Christ which depicted “a welcome environment for same sex couples.”

Meanwhile, several pro-life or anti-abortion organizations, are trying to counter opposition to the ad.

Catholic Families for America has started a petition in favor of the Tebow ad.

“It doesn’t take long for the pro-abortion crowd to mobilized their members so those of us on the pro-life side need to be sure we do the same,” Kevin Roberts, executive director of the Catholic grassroots advocacy group, said in a news release.

What are your thoughts? Should CBS run the ad?

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor 

Dobson’s decision was expected, but it still has people wondering what’s next for Focus on the Family and who will take his place as a leader in the evangelical community.

New America Today is a magazine launched on the day of Pres. Barack Obama’s inauguration. According to its Web site, it was created to “start a new and exciting discussion about religion, culture and politics that glorifies God, proclaims Jesus Christ, and promotes Biblical principles, and hopefully brings together what is still the most segregated institution in America, the Christian church, to fulfill its divine purpose.”

To read New America Today’s story “Evangelicals Ponder ‘Who Will Be The Next Dobson?,” click here: Next Dobson.     

(AP PHOTO ABOVE: James Dobson, Christian evangelical leader and founder of Focus on the Family, listens to President Bush address the National Religious Broadcasters 2008 Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn.)  

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor 

His wife, National Day of Prayer Chairman Shirley Dobson, has also left the Focus on the Family Board of Directors.

According to the ministry, the Dobson’s have been elected to the positions of founder and chairman emeritus and director emerita, respectively.

In a statement provided by the ministry, the board of directors said the Dobsons’ decision represents the next step in a transition plan begun six years ago, when James Dobson stepped down as president in order to lessen his administrative burden. Executive leadership was handed to Don Hodel in 2003, and then to Jim Daly in 2005. James Dobson had been board chairman until today.

“One of Dr. Dobson’s objectives during the last decade has been to help identify the next generation of leadership for the ministry, and to see it established securely before he stepped away from administrative oversight. That purpose has now been fulfilled, and we applaud Dr. Dobson for this concern for the future of the ministry.”

James Dobson will continue the “Focus on the Family” radio broadcast, and handle other duties as in the past. He will also continue to write the ministry’s newsletter, sent to 1.6 million people per month.

“One of the common errors of founder-presidents is to hold to the reins of leadership too long, thereby preventing the next generation from being prepared for executive authority,” Dobson said. “I have wanted not to make that mistake with Focus on the Family, which is why I stepped back, first from the presidential duties six years ago, and now, from board chairmanship. Though letting go is difficult after three decades of intensive labor, it is the wise thing to do. ”

For more information, visit the ministry’s Web site: Dobson Steps Down.  

Carla Hinton

Religion Editor