A few days back, I noted:
Based on the about 10 minutes I heard of this Fresh Air interview, with Richard Cizik, I so wish that Rev. Cizik spoke for more of the Religious Right. Ironically, he does speak for them, as “vice president for governmental affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals” (i.e., he’s a high-level lobbyist), but he comes off as remarkably thoughtful and moderate — willing to support contraception and education to help lower the abortion rate, softening on gay marriage, a proponent of “creation care” who was appalled by the anti-environmentalism of Sarah Palin, and someone who finds himself relating more to the broader palate of issues pursued by younger evangelicals than the “no abortion, no gays, no way” blinders of the Religious Right leadership.
So, of course, he’s been canned.
Leith Anderson, President of the National Association of Evangelicals, explained in a letter to the members of the board of directors of NAE that “in a December 2, 2008 broadcast interview on National Public Radio, Richard responded to questions and made statements that did not appropriately represent the values and convictions of NAE and our constituents. Although he has subsequently expressed regret, apologized and affirmed our values there is a loss of trust in his credibility as a spokesperson among leaders and constituents.”
Certainly it is right and proper for any organization to only keep as a spokesperson someone who can actually speak for their values and beliefs — especially if you are an organization defined by values and beliefs. That said, it’s a shame that the NAE’s values and beliefs are not closer to those of Rev. Cizik. That’s their loss.