Evangelical Quits Over Gay Unions

An outspoken and polarizing voice in conservative Christian politics resigned effective Thursday from the National Association of Evangelicals after a radio interview in which he voiced support for same-sex civil unions and said he is “shifting” on gay marriage.

The Rev. Richard Cizik’s comments — made on a Dec. 2 “Fresh Air” broadcast on National Public Radio — triggered an uproar that led to his stepping down as NAE vice president of governmental affairs.

A fixture in Washington for nearly three decades, Cizik has played a key role in bringing evangelical Christian concerns to the political table. But in recent years, he earned enemies in the movement for pushing to broaden the evangelical agenda. His strongest focus was on “creation care,” arguing that evangelicals have a biblical responsibility to the environment that includes combatting global warming.

The Rev. Leith Anderson, a Minneapolis-area pastor who serves as NAE president, said Thursday the group is not backing away from its environmental stances. Cizik’s resignation was necessary, he said, because some of his answers in the radio interview did not reflect NAE values and convictions.

“Any organizations that speak to controversial issues are going to have critics,” Anderson said. “What was different this time was our individuals and organizations felt there was a loss of credibility for him clearly espousing our positions and values. When you lose that, it’s very difficult to re-establish.”

Cizik did not immediately respond to requests for comment Thursday. The NAE said in a statement that Cizik had expressed regret, apologized and “affirmed our values.”

The NAE is an umbrella group for tens of thousands of churches and organizations.

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Washington Students Protest Anti-Gay-Marriage Column

Hundreds of University of Washington students gathered on Saturday to protest an anti-gay-marriage column published in the school’s student newspaper on November 25, the Daily reports. The opinion piece, titled, “Gay marriage? Lets stop and think about this,” described homosexuality as “more of an emotional condition” and argued that legalizing gay marriage would lead to a slippery slope of legal polygamy, incest, and bestiality. An illustration featuring a man standing next to a sheep accompanied the piece.

Several student groups, such as the graduate student government, have called for an apology and even for the newspaper’s editorial board’s resignation.

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U.S. News & World Report

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SC principal ‘rethinks’ resignation over gay club

COLUMBIA, S.C. — School officials say the South Carolina high school principal who said he would resign because of a gay club at the school has changed his mind.

Irmo High School principal Eddie Walker had said he would retire in May because his values conflicted with a proposed Gay-Straight Alliance.

Lexington-Richland District 5 spokesman Buddy Price told The State newspaper Thursday that interim superintendent Herbert Berg got a letter from Walker that said he wanted to stay. Price says Walker’s contract will be up for renewal in the spring.

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SC principal rethinks resignation over gay club
Myrtle Beach Sun News, SC