Richard Cizik of the National Association of Evangelicals Resigns
Washington, DC-The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) announced today that its longtime lobbyist and spokesman has resigned. Richard Cizik, Vice President of Government Affairs for the NAE, met with NAE President Leith Anderson and the two mutually concluded that his resignation was "a difficult but appropriate decision."
The resignation follows Cizik's recent controversial comments on National Public Radio, in which he said that he is "shifting" on the issue of marriage and now favors same-sex civil unions, if not same-sex marriage outright. For several years, Cizik has generated criticism for his activism on Global Warming.
Founded in 1942, The NAE represents churches that have membership in the tens of millions. NAE's Washington, D.C.-based Government Affairs Office sets its policy direction on issues before Congress, the White House, and Supreme Court.
IRD Director of UMAction Mark Tooley commented:
Both Rev. Cizik and the NAE leadership made a wise decision in his departure. Cizik had lost credibility for advocating positions that were not those of the NAE or most Evangelicals.
The IRD hopes NAE can now focus on theological and ethical convictions that the Evangelicals hold strongly in common. This is particularly important when those convictions are being challenged in the public square.
We wish Rev. Cizik well and know that his long history of service to Evangelicals in Washington, DC will have laid the groundwork for many opportunities. Specifically, the IRD commends Cizik for his partnership on global religious liberty issues.
The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches' social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad