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Evangelical Association Reaffirms Biblical Stance after Statements Supporting Obama, Homosexual Civil Unions

By Kathleen Gilbert

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 9, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The president of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) has endeavored to assuage concerns sparked last week when NAE's Chief Lobbyist and Vice President for Governmental Affairs downplayed Obama’s abortion position, and stated that he was “shifting” in favor of same-sex civil unions, and possibly “marriage.”

NAE President Rev. Leith Anderson told the association's Board of Directors in an open letter that Rev. Richard Cizik's words “did not appropriately reflect the positions of the National Association of Evangelicals and its constituents.”

“Our NAE stand on marriage, abortion and other biblical values is long, clear and unchanged,” Anderson wrote.  He insisted that “Richard has strongly assured to me of his own support and agreement with our NAE values and positions," an agreement that was "not understood by listeners from what he said.”

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." 

"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. 

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.

Ingrid Schlueter, co-host of the Christian nationally syndicated Crosstalk Radio Talk Show, reacted with dismay at Cizik's statements, saying he seemed "more concerned about impressing NPR's liberal audience with his broad-mindedness" than being faithful to Christ.  "I find it abhorrent that Mr. Cizik would sanction Christian support for the most radically pro-abortion President in the history of the nation," she added.

NAE President Leith Anderson said Cizik has expressed to him “deep regret and apology” for the statements.

“I will work with him and with our staff to more appropriately speak on behalf of NAE and our values in the future," Anderson said.

When LifeSiteNews.com spoke to NAE Executive Director Todd Bassett, he declined to comment on Cizik's remarks, but indicated that the NAE holds "a similar position" to that of Catholic bishops, who insist on the "essential" role of Christian values in the voting booth.

"We need to be very considerate of who we are and what we stand for and what ultimately we answer for, and that's to an eternal, sovereign God," said Bassett.

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Shock: Evangelical Leader Believes in Gay Civil Unions, Says OK to Vote for Obama
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/dec/08120304.html

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