Posted on 12/03/2008 10:19:06 PM PST by voiceinthewind
Shock: Evangelical Leader Believes in Gay Civil Unions, Says OK to Vote for Obama
By John-Henry Westen
WASHINGTON, December 3, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Chief Lobbyist and Vice President for Governmental Affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) gave an interview to National Public Radio yesterday in which he admitted to shifting on gay marriage, voting for Barack Obama and having a marked distaste for Sarah Palin. Richard Cizik, spokesman for the NAE, which represents 45,000 US churches, told NPR yesterday that he voted for Obama in the Virginia primary but didn't want to reveal how he voted in the general election.
"I happen to think in the primary he was the best choice," said Cizik of Obama. Cizik explained that he held party philosophy and the character of the candidate above particular issues. He thus suggested: "It would be possible to for Evangelicals to disagree with Barack Obama on same sex marriage and abortion and yet vote for him."
Cizik expressed an obvious distaste for Sarah Palin, citing her stand on the environment as "ignorance" and accusing her of lacking in humility, a trait which he says he admired in Obama.
Asked if he had changed his mind on homosexual 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."
He advocated that Evangelicals change focus away from the homosexual marriage debate. Revealingly, he said on the subject, "Maybe we need to reevaluate this 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 he would "absolutely" support Obama in his scheme to reduce abortions by "government supplying contraception." He explained, "We're not Catholics who oppose contraception per se."
Listen to the NPR interview here: http://www.npr.org/templates/player/mediaPlayer.html?action=...
Another Evangelical leader I have never heard of before.
My own litmus test is that no Christian could vote for Obama under any circumstances. His abortion stand is simply demonic. So, while this guy may be an evangelical, he is not a Christian.
x, is your church a member of this organization? Have you ever heard of this guy before?
The Bible Presbyterian Church looks a little fundamentalist for me, but I could certainly go with the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. It is probably as conservative, but in a more Calvinist than fundamentalist way.
Goodness, he’s on Time Magazines List of 100 influential people for 2008. I really should read more mainstream stuff.
The NAE is well known. I don’t consider them leaders, but followers . . . into apaostate Christendom. I have a lot of respect for Dr. Dobson as a man. He is much more sound than the “evangelical” movement in general.
I do not use the modern term “evangelical” for myself, either. That term 100 years ago, and even through WWII was equivalent to “fundamental” or “fundamentalist” (1950 to the present). Moody, Torrey, Billy Sunday, Wilbur Chapman, Donald Barnhouse, Riley, Haldeman, and other such men were all called “evangelical,” but I doubt seriously that they would use the term if they were living today.
I view the current “evangelical” movement as liberal and apostate in general.
There are still some fundamentalists who use the term “evangelical” for its connotations of 75 to 100 years ago, but I would not use it.
I use the the term “fundamentalist” now sparingly as well. I prefer to use the expression “Bible-believing.”
Well, “fundamentalist” is supposed to mean, adhering to the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith. Does the Orthodox Presbyterian Church not adhere to the fundamental tenets of the Christian faith? If they do, then would they not be “fundamentalists”?
If you have the idea that “fundamentalist” means more, for example, more separated from worldliness and apostasy, then that is precidely why I would recommend them. I mean, I would more likely recommend them to someone of Presbyterian persuasion in church order and government, than any movement affiliated with the NAE or the NCC or WCC.
I reckon that the NAE is going the direction of the apostate NCC and WCC. (National Council and World Council of Churches).
The MSM (unfortunately, in this case, Lifesitenews as well) loves to portray the ‘Evangelicals’ as a monolithic block who vote 90% Republican in the same way Blacks vote 90% for Democrats. They’re not. Even Bush, who is seen as ‘the most Evangelical candidate’ in recent memory only received around 60%, IIRC. Just also remember that Carter was considered Evangelical as well.
So, it’s not shocking at all that there are many Evangelicals who vote Democrats. Note that whoever the guy this article mentions voted for 0bama. He never claimed himself to be a Republican.
I'm thinking these two guys may have shared a stall in an airport men's room recently.
He said in a recent interview that he was a Republican.
An evangelical who is in a position to give an interview to NPR is probably a leader of left wing self styled evangelicals of small numbers.
"Cizik is a... Bible-brandishing reverend zealously opposed to... gay marriage..."
Well, gee, I haven't checked up on the definition of "zealous" lately. But let's look at Cizik's own words above to get a better idea of what "zealous" opposition to gay marriage sounds like. Here's what he says:
"I don't officially support redefining marriage from its traditional definition I don't think."
He doesn't think? Wow!! Is that the very definition of "zealous opposition" or what?
Think I'll go with the "or what".
My dear old Aunt Olive couldn't stand Jimmyboy / Mister Teeth / Peanut Farmer / Playboy Feature / Lust-In-His-Heart / Wear-A-Sweater-To-Fix-The-Energy-Crisis / National Malaise / Killer Rabbit Victim, when he ran in 1976. But many of her older lady friends in her church in Louisville, KY were set to vote for him. They were just so tickled pink that for the first time ever, someone calling himself "born again" was running for Prez.
They would say repeatedly to her, "But Olive, he's Born Again!"
To which Aunt Olive replied, "A born-again turkey is still a turkey".
Cultural sickness.
Uh...Palin...lacking in humility...a trait he admires in Obama??? The guy's an IDIOT. Fire his stupid @ss and get someone in there that has a brain cell.
Jesus:
So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Revelation 3:16
Ted Haggard....please pick up the white courtesy phone
This guy sounds like a lightweight, who just wants to be liked.
I lost all respect for the NEA years ago.
Fool, He thinks promoting premartial sex among immature high schoolers and junior high students will reduce abortion.
Ironically, when I read the headline, I thought this was about Huckabee.
Richard Cizik,
"Another Evangelical leader I have never heard of before." -- P. Marlowe
ditto.
I am, I guess, an evangelical, of sorts. As with many, less happy with the label of late. This guy doesn't speak for me, any more than Ted Haggard did, back in his day.
BTW, this guy actually has his own Wikipedia entry.
Issues, Etc. talked about him on on Monday. Worth a listen, in my opinion. Mr. Cizik has a tendency to present false alternatives. "We can let her have an abortion, or we can give her contraceptives." Can't think of anything else Mr. Cizik?
Cizik expressed an obvious distaste for Sarah Palin, citing her stand on the environment as "ignorance" and accusing her of lacking in humility, a trait which he says he admired in Obama.
"I for one welcome our new Chicago overlords." -- R. Cizik
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.