R Cizik.jpgOn Fresh Air with Terry Gross, National Association of Evangelicals vice president of governmental affairs Rich Cizik admitted that his views on same sex unions are shifting.  While he made it clear that he does not favor same sex marriage, he did affirm the that he favors same sex civil unions.  Cizik also admitted that he voted for Barack Obama in the primary election, although he did not reveal for whom he voted in the general. 

As a result of these comments, NAE president Leith Anderson asked Cizik to resign, which Cizik did.

Cizik has been a leading figure in the evangelical world over the past several years, battling evangelical lions like James Dobson and Charles Colson on several issues, most noteably the environment.  As a result of Cizik’s tireless efforts, the NAE affirmed care for creation as one of its chief concerns.

Cizik is a loss for all progressive evangelicals who still think the NAE is a potentially potent force.  But he’s a gain for those of us who are post-evangelical, post-religious right, post-moral majority, post-polarized politics, post-discrimination, and post-closedmindedness.

More from Beliefnet and our partners
Close Ad