- Richard Cizik
-
Richard Cizik was the Vice President for Governmental Affairs of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and one of the most prominent Evangelical lobbyists in the United States.[1][2] In his position with the NAE, Cizik's primary responsibilities were setting the organization's policy on issues and lobbying the White House, Congress, and the Supreme Court.[1] Cizik also served as NAE's national spokesman and edited a monthly magazine, NAE Washington Insight.[1] Since 2003, Cizik has been active in a type of environmentalism known as "creation care"; his stance on global warming has drawn both support and criticism from fellow Evangelicals.[3][4] He serves on the Board of Advisors of the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions.
In 2008, he and Nobel Prize winner Eric Chivian, as a team, were named one of the 100 most influential scientists and thinkers by Time.[5] On December 11, 2008, Cizik gave his resignation from his position with NAE after a December 2 radio broadcast of NPR's Fresh Air in which he voiced support for same-sex civil unions.[3][6] His comments and his resignation has generated both strong support and strong criticism within the evangelical Christian community.[7]
In January 2010, Cizik launched the New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good together with David P. Gushee, professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University, and Steve Martin, a pastor and documentary filmmaker.[8] The faith-based non-profit, which represents the merger of the previously distinct but sometimes interrelated efforts of the three founding partners, reportedly exists "to advance human well-being as an expression of our love for Jesus Christ, which is itself a grateful response to his love for us and for a good but suffering world."[9]
Contents
Biography
Cizik graduated with a B.A., cum laude, in political science from Whitworth College, received an M.A. in Public Affairs from the George Washington University School of Public & International Affairs, now called the Elliot School of International Affairs], and earned a Master of Divinity from Denver Seminary. In 2005, he was awarded the Ecclesiastical Degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causae, by The Methodist Episcopal Church, USA.
He was also awarded post-graduate fellowships from the Scottish Rite Foundation to study at the George Washington University and by the Rotary International Foundation to study at the Political Science University in Taipei, Taiwan.[10] Cizik sits on advisory boards of the Institute on Religion and Public Policy, the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, and the Evangelical Environmental Network.
Career
National Association of Evangelicals
Cizik was a staff member at the NAE from 1980 to 2008.[3][10] He described himself in the early years as a "pro-Bush conservative" and generally took conservative positions on issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and stem-cell research.[2] As the organization's primary lobbyist, Cizik was influential in pushing conservative Evangelical-supported legislation at a national level. However, he began moving more towards the center in the 1990s.[11][12][13]
As national spokesman for millions of evangelicals, he has worked successfully with both Democrats and Republicans. In the fall of 2008, however, he began to publicly criticize John McCain ("I thought John McCain was a principled person," "But John McCain...seems to be waffling on issue after issue").[14] He voted for Barack Obama during the primaries,[15] and strongly implied that he had voted for Obama in the general election.[11] This, along with statements about abortion and same-sex civil unions, did not represent the NAE's position, and he resigned a week later.[16]
Environmental activism
After hearing scientist and fellow Evangelical John Houghton present evidence on global warming in 2002, Cizik was convinced that environmentalism, and especially climate change, should be a part of the Evangelical political agenda.[4]
Cizik calls this environmentalism "creation care."[2] He differentiates "creation care" from other environmentalism because of the former's roots "not in politics or ideology, but in the scriptures."[2] Cizik cites several Bible verses to support his position, including Genesis 2:15 and Revelation 11:18.[2]
Cizik has been criticized for his global warming advocacy by fellow evangelicals and conservatives.[4] He has responded to some of these critics by asking whether his critics are possibly being influenced by ties to the conservative movement or oil and gas companies.[4]
Cizik's name appeared as a signatory on an initial draft of the 2006 Evangelical Climate Initiative's "Call to Action," but it was absent from the final draft. In an interview with Bill Moyers, Cizik indicated that pressure from his colleagues at the NAE caused him to remove his name from the statement.[4] In fact the Executive Committee, responding to twenty Evangelical leaders who asked the NAE not to take a stance on global warming,[17] had passed a resolution stating that "global warming is not a consensus issue" and instructing its staff "to stand by and not exceed in any fashion our approved and adopted statements concerning the environment contained within the Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility."[18][19] (The 2001 document, For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility, includes a section on "protect[ing] God's creation" but does not mention climate change.[20])
In January 2007, Cizik and Eric Chivian co-hosted the launch of a collaboration between scientists and Evangelicals, presenting it as a joint project of Harvard Medical School's Center for Health and the Global Environment and the NAE.[21] The 28 participants released "An Urgent Call to Action," which presented human-induced climate change as a primary concern and called for prompt public policy solutions.[22] Critics of the collaboration pointed out that the NAE had not changed its position on climate change,[23] but in response to a reporter's question Cizik insisted that the NAE board had approved "this dialogue."[24]
In March 2007, James Dobson, head of Focus on the Family, and 24 other evangelical leaders signed a letter asking "the NAE board to ensure that Mr. Cizik faithfully represents the policies and commitments of the organization, including its defense of traditional values," and suggesting that Cizik resign "if he cannot be trusted to articulate the views of American evangelicals on environmental issues."[25] A number of other evangelical leaders declined to sign Dobson's letter on the grounds that it was un-Christian.[citation needed] Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention noted, "I didn't feel that it was the most productive, most redemptive way to address the problem," and Leith Anderson, NAE president, stated that his mail was "overwhelmingly supportive of Rich." Cizik has responded by saying that "It's time we return to being people known for our love and care of the earth and our fellow human beings."[26]
In December 2008, NAE President Leith Anderson reiterated that For the Health of the Nation contains the NAE's only official position on the environment, and confirmed that "we don't [have a specific position] on global warming or emissions. [Cizik] has spoken as an individual on that."[16]
In 2008, TIME magazine named Richard Cizik and Eric Chivian to its list of most influential "Thinkers and Scientists" list called the "TIME 100."
Gay rights issues
Cizik supported the passage of Proposition 8 and recently signed his name to a full-page ad in The New York Times' accusing the LGBT community of "anti-religious bigotry", especially against Mormons, and "trying to start a religious war."[3] In response, a gay rights group placed another full-page advertisement in The Salt Lake Tribune titled "Lies in the name of the Lord" and featuring Pinocchio carrying a whitewashed "Cizik Version" of the bible.[3]
Cizik made a statement on the National Public Radio program "Fresh Air" in December 2008 in which he said that he supports same-sex civil unions and is “shifting” on gay marriage.[3] He also commented that about 4 in 10 young evangelicals have a LGBT friend or family member and about 5 in 10 favor either same-sex marriage or civil unions.[7] Cizik later appeared to shift his position, releasing a statement reading: "I am now and always have been committed to work to pass laws that protect and foster family life, and to work against government attempts to interfere with the integrity of the family, including same-sex 'marriage' and civil unions."[3] However, in a return visit to "Fresh Air" in July 2010, Cizik reiterated his support for same-sex civil unions and expressed his ambivalence about same-sex marriage.[27] His NPR remarks led Cizik to resign from his position with the NAE.[3]
Cizik's statements found support by some older evangelicals such as Jim Wallis and by many younger evangelicals, some of which ABC News says consider Cizik as a "hero".[7] In contrast, the NAE stated that Ciziks positions do not "appropriately represent the values and convictions".[7] David Brody, Christian Broadcasting Network correspondent, commented on the divided reaction by saying that "At the end of the day, evangelicals are not going to budge on the life and marriage issues."[7]
Abortion and Health Care
Cizik has described himself as a "advocate for pro-life policies without exception."[3] He supports government distribution of contraception.[3] He has stated that "younger evangelicals [...] are decidedly pro-life" and that "health care is just as important to younger evangelicals as is abortion."[3]
See also
- God's Warriors, a controversial CNN news program where Christiane Amanpour labeled Cizik as one of "God's Christian Warriors".
References
- ^ a b c National Association of Evangelicals Executive Leaders
- ^ a b c d e Cizik Matters: An interview with green evangelical leader Richard Cizik, by Amanda Griscom Little, Grist Magazine, October 5, 2005
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Richard Cizik Resigns from the National Association of Evangelicals, by Sarah Pullman. Christianity Today. Published December 11, 2008. Accessed December 11, 2008
- ^ a b c d e Is God Green?, by Bill Moyers, Moyers on America, PBS, 2006
- ^ Eric Chivian & Richard Cizik.
- ^ Top evangelical resigns after backing gay unions, by Eric Gorski, "San Francisco Chronicle", December 11, 2008
- ^ a b c d e New Evangelists Buck the Christian Right. ABC News. Published December 19, 2008. Accessed December 19, 2008
- ^ New Evangelical Group Calls for Haiti Debt Cancellation, by Michelle A. Vu, "The Christian Post", January 24, 2010
- ^ New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good
- ^ a b Cizik biography at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions' website
- ^ a b Interview with Richard Cizik, with Terry Gross. NPR's Fresh Air, 12/2/2008
- ^ Christian lobbying finds success, by Farah Stockman, Boston Globe, October 14, 2004
- ^ Evangelical Christian lobbyist pushes environment, by Deborah Zabarenko, Reuters, September 25, 2006
- ^ Evangelical leader smacks McCain for lack of ‘principle’, by Cara Degette. Colorado Independent, 9/22/08
- ^ For Some Evangelicals, GOP Ties Are No Longer Binding, by Suzanne Sataline. Wall Street Journal, 8/22/08
- ^ a b Interview: NAE President Leith Anderson on Richard Cizik's Resignation, by Sarah Pulliam, Christianity Today. Published December 11, 2008. Accessed December 18, 2008.
- ^ 20 Christian leaders appeal to the NAE, January 2006
- ^ Cornwall Alliance fact sheet
- ^ Evangelical Leaders Join Global Warming Initiative, by Laurie Goodstein, New York Times, February 8, 2006
- ^ For the Health of the Nation: An Evangelical Call to Civic Responsibility, National Association of Evangelicals, 2004
- ^ Media advisory, Harvard Medical School Center for Health and the Global Environment, January 17, 2007
- ^ An Urgent Call to Action: Scientists and Evangelicals Unite to Protect Creation, January 17, 2007
- ^ Contrary to Media Reports, National Association of Evangelicals Has Not Endorsed Latest Statement on Global Warming, Cornwall Alliance press release, January 17, 2007
- ^ Transcript, press conference, January 17, 2007
- ^ Letter to the NAE Board from 25 evangelical leaders
- ^ "Beliefwatch:Tree Hugger", Newsweek, March 19th, 2007, pg. 13
- ^ Ousted Evangelical Reflects On Faith, Future , by Terri Gross. Fresh Air. Published July 28, 2010. Accessed July 28, 2010
Categories:- Living people
- American evangelicals
- Christian religious leaders
- George Washington University alumni
- Environmentalism and religion
- Religious action on climate change
- Sustainability advocates
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