 Richard Cizik (photo: National Association of Evangelicals) |
One week after telling National Public Radio his view of same-sex unions is shifting, Richard Cizik has resigned as vice president for governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals.
Cizik – the chief lobbyist in Washington for the umbrella group representing 45,000 U.S. churches from 59 denominations – lost the trust of his constituents, said NAE President Leith Anderson, according to Christianity Today magazine.
“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 constituencies,” Anderson said in a letter to NAE board members.
Charles Colson of Prison Fellowship told Christianity Today Cizik’s resignation came as no surprise.
“For better or for worse, Rich became a great, polarizing figure,” Colson said. “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.”
In the Dec. 2 interview with NPR, Cizik spoke mostly about the environment and his support for efforts to combat “global warming.” He touched briefly on same-sex marriage.
NPR’s Terry Gross asked, “A couple of years ago when you were on our show, I asked you if you were changing your mind on that. And two years ago, you said you were still opposed to gay marriage. But now as you identify more with younger voters, would you say you have changed on gay marriage?”
Cizik replied, “I’m shifting, I have to admit. 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.”
Cizik suggested Christians should direct their focus away from the debate about same-sex marriage.
“Maybe we need to reevaluate this and look at it a little differently,” he said. “I’m always looking for ways to reframe issues. Give the biblical point of view a different slant.”
Cizik told NPR he believes a candidate’s character and party values are more significant than specific issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
“It would be possible for evangelicals to disagree with Barack Obama on same-sex marriage and abortion and yet vote for him,” he said.
Christianity Today noted that more than two dozen evangelical leaders last year sought to oust Cizik, because of his “relentless campaign” on global warming.
In the NPR interview, Cizik called Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s stance on the environment “ignorance.” The Alaska governor lacked humility, he said, unlike Democrat Barack Obama. Prior to the election, Cizik told the Independent of London, “Not everyone in the evangelical movement is fawning over Sarah Palin.”
