Evangelical Association Lobbyist Quits Under Fire

"He no longer represents the view of evangelicalism. He has not represented those views for some time."

WASHINGTON, D.C. (LifeSiteNews - Rev. Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has announced his resignation as Chief Lobbyist and Vice President for Governmental Affairs after coming under fire from colleagues for his recent comments supporting government-supplied contraception, homosexual unions, and the candidacy of pro-abortion Barack Obama.

His resignation concludes 28 years of service and leadership in the Washington, DC office of NAE.

"In a December 2, 2008 broadcast interview on National Public Radio, Richard responded to questions and made statements that did not appropriately represent the values and convictions of NAE and our constituents," wrote Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, to the NAE board of directors.

"Although he has subsequently expressed regret, apologized and affirmed our values there is a loss of trust in his credibility as a spokesperson among leaders and constituents."

Anderson wrote that he and Cizik had met and "mutually concluded that his resignation is a difficult but appropriate decision." He noted that Cizik's attendance at a European conference soon after the controversial radio broadcast had prevented a speedier decision.

Charles Colson of Prison Fellowship told Christianity Today that the fallout had been gestating for some time.

"For better or for worse, Rich became a great, polarizing figure," said Colson. "He was gradually, over a period of time, separating himself from the mainstream of evangelical belief and conviction. So I'm not surprised. I'm sorry for him, but I'm not disappointed for the evangelical movement."

Focus on the Family, James Dobson's Colorado-based evangelical group, had expressed concern over Cizik's views in the past. Last year, Dobson and other Christian conservatives urged the NAE to correct Cizik's crusade against global warming, an ideology typically espoused by population control activists.

"It was time for him to go," Focus on the Family senior vice president Tom Minnery told the Associated Press. "He no longer represents the view of evangelicalism. He has not represented those views for some time."

The NAE was forced to dissociate from their chief lobbyist's views after Cizik appeared on National Public Radio's Fresh Air program last week, in which he expressed solidarity with left-leaning Evangelicals on issues of life and family.

Asked about his vote in the recent election, Cizik declined to comment on the federal election but said Barack Obama was "the best choice" in the Virginia primary. "I think all of us today believe we want this man to succeed. If we don't think that, there's something wrong with us," he added, referring to Obama. Cizik advocated putting issues like the economy and healthcare on an even keel with abortion and marriage when choosing a candidate.

When asked to weigh in on Sarah Palin, the Alaska governor popular with many Evangelicals for her staunchly Christian views, Cizik criticized a perceived lack of humility in Palin and noted that he admired the virtue in Barack Obama.

Cizik also expressed support for government-funded contraception, saying "We are not, as I have said previously, we are not Catholics, who oppose contraception per se."

On homosexual marriage, Cizik told host Terry Gross he was "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 said.

Cizik 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," he added.

The NAE immediately responded to a hail of criticism from Christian circles following the broadcast by stating that the organization's "stand on marriage, abortion and other biblical values is long, clear and unchanged."

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