I hope that this LifeSiteNews report of recent comments of the Rev. Richard Cizik, the Chief Lobbyist and Vice President for Governmental Affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals, will be enough to cause you to write a polite (but firm) letter to the NAE asking that Cizik be immediately removed from his positions there. For the story describes Cizik's recent comments (on NPR, wouldn't you know) in which he calmly shrugs off off the extreme seriousness of abortion, unfairly criticizes Sarah Palin, accepts the legitimacy of homosexual unions, boasts that he voted for abortion extremist Barack Obama, and suggests that for modern times the teachings of the Bible need to be given "a different slant."NAE President Rev. Leith Anderson has told the association's Board of Directors that Rev. Richard Cizik's words “did not appropriately reflect the positions of the National Association of Evangelicals and its constituents.”
Big deal.
Does Rev. Anderson think that his mild letter of disapproval will get the same attention as did Cizik's interview on national radio? Of course not. So whether or not Cizik's heterodox views "appropriately" reflected the opinions of evangelicals, the listeners of NPR are certainly going to think they do
...When Rev. Cizik appeared on the Fresh Air program on National Public Radio last Tuesday, he announced he had voted for Barack Obama in the Virginia primary, saying "I happen to think ... it was the best choice."...
Cizik professed a character-based voting philosophy, and suggested that issues such as abortion and marriage ought to be weighed together with issues like health care and the economy. "It would be possible for Evangelicals to disagree with Barack Obama on same sex marriage and abortion and yet vote for him," said Cizik.
Asked to weigh in on Sarah Palin, Cizik, who has become known for his environmental activism, said she was "ignorant" on the subject and accused her of lacking humility, a trait he said he admired in Barack Obama.
On homosexual marriage, Cizik told the host he was admittedly "shifting" on the subject. "In other words I would willingly say that I believe in civil unions. I don't officially support redefining marriage from its traditional definition I don't think."
He suggested that all Evangelicals ought to "reevaluate" homosexuality and "look at it a little differently." "I'm always looking for ways to reframe issues. Give the biblical point of view a different slant," Cizik said.
Cizik is trying to take the tired and cowardly way out here, blaming listeners for misunderstanding what he said and assuring us that he still believes and supports the NAE's official positions.
Good grief. Cizik has been pulling these stunts for some time. And getting away with it. And it looks like Anderson and the rest of the gang in the NAE offices are coddling him yet again.
It certainly gives cause to wonder if perhaps Cizik doesn't represent the views of NAE leaders more than what they're willing to publicly admit. If the NAE really does care about a firm, engaging defense of the sanctity of life, of marriage, and of biblical authority...why don't they bounce this guy?
To see the sad pattern of Cizik's liberalism and the subsequent acceptance of it by the NAE, take a look at these previous Vital Signs Blog posts: "Richard Cizik And the National Association of Evangelicals Are Way Off Course;" "The Sinking Ship of the National Association of Evangelicals;" and "Can Obama Win Over Religious Conservatives? He's Certainly Trying;" and the most recent, "Newsweek/Washington Post Fumbles Its Coverage of Evangelicals and Global Warming."
In light of these latest outrageous statements by Richard Cizik, I can only repeat below the very words I typed here in July of 2007:
"And, of course, more disturbing than the over-the-top political correctness of Cizik himself is that the NAE has yet to discipline him for his irresponsible remarks or even rein him in.
Therefore, if you are a member of the NAE or even just a Christian who realizes how dangerous it can be when the MSM have "liberal evangelicals" in leadership that they can point to and quote in order to steer a news story their way, please contact the NAE and ask them to remove Richard Cizik from his vice-presidency and to insure that the NAE makes a return to theological orthodoxy and priority."
The contact info is:
National Association of Evangelicals
c/o President Leith Anderson
PO Box 23269
Washington, DC 20026
202-789-1011
president@nae.net
Here's a copy of my latest letter to the NAE:
Dear Rev. Anderson,
The recent comments of the Rev. Richard Cizik on NPR must surely be enough for you to finally bounce this guy! If not...if you coddle him once again for not merely roaming off the NAE range but indeed engaging in very serious errors of heterodoxy, then suspicion as to the true opinions and character of the rest of the NAE is inevitable.
For crying out loud. Cizik shrugs off the extreme seriousness of abortion, unfairly criticizes Sarah Palin, accepts the legitimacy of homosexual unions, boasts that he voted for abortion extremist Barack Obama, and suggests that for modern times the teachings of the Bible need to be given "a different slant."
And he's still at his NAE desk?
Yes, I understand that you've given him "a good talking to" and that you've reassured the board that Cizik remains one of the team. But do you think that your mild letter of disapproval will get the same attention as did Cizik's interview on national radio? Of course not. So whether or not Cizik's heterodox views "appropriately" reflected the opinions of evangelicals, the listeners of NPR are certainly going to think they do.
Cizik is trying to take the tired and cowardly way out here, blaming listeners for misunderstanding what he said and assuring us that he still believes and supports the NAE's official positions.
Good grief. Cizik has been pulling these stunts for some time. And getting away with it.
But hasn't he gone too far this time -- even for you? I mean, if the NAE really does care about a firm, engaging defense of the sanctity of life, of marriage, and of biblical authority...why won't you remove Cizik from his bully pulpit?
Please do so immediately.
Denny Hartford
Director, Vital Signs Ministries
Omaha, Nebraska
