National Association of Evangelicals Reaffirms Pro-Life View, VP Backed Obama

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Dec 8, 2008   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

National Association of Evangelicals Reaffirms Pro-Life View, VP Backed Obama

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
December 8
, 2008

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The National Association of Evangelicals is reaffirming its pro-life stance after its vice-president told a national radio audience that he voted for pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama. The comments from Richard Cizik, the NAE vice president, generated a significant controversy in Christian circles.

Cizik appeared on the Fresh Air program on National Public Radio last Tuesday.

When asked which presidential candidate he supported, Cizik announced he had backed Obama in the Virginia primary and said the vote should give some indication of how he voted in the general election.

He went further and said that evangelicals could vote for a pro-abortion candidate even though they disagreed on pro-life issues.

Now Rev. Keith Anderson, the president of NAE, is circulating a letter responding to the criticism the report generated.

He said Cizik’s views “did not appropriately reflect the positions of the National Association of Evangelicals and its constituents” and that NAE’s stance on abortion "is long, clear and unchanged."

“Richard has strongly assured to me of his own support and agreement with our NAE values and positions. This was not understood by listeners from what he said," Anderson added.

LifeNews.com also received a copy of the email correspondence NAE executive director W.T. Bassett sent to a reader in response to criticism of Cizik’s comments.

Basset says Cizik "is a man of integrity and has represented the NAE in a most honorable fashion for 28 years."

"Having reviewed the tapes and transcripts of this interview, we believe that any attempt to suggest that Richard has misrepresented the positions of the NAE is either an erroneous understanding of what was said, or an inversion of the words spoken by him," Basset contends.

He said Obama’s abortion position is "contrary to our Biblical principles and beliefs" but said Christian voters should "show respect due all who hold public office."

ACTION: Contact the National Association of Evangelicals at PO Box 23269 Washington, DC 20026, or call 202-789-1011, or email [email protected]

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