Christian Coalition leader quits over political split

Interesting…:

WASHINGTON - The president-elect of the Christian Coalition announced yesterday that he was stepping down, saying the religious group appeared to balk at his proposals to focus on environmental and anti-poverty issues rather than on purely “moralistic” issues such as abortion.

The Rev. Joel C. Hunter, who was scheduled to take office Jan. 1, said his departure was sparked by “just a basic philosophical difference. … I saw an opportunity to really broaden the conversation and broaden the constituency. I’m really over this whole polarization thing.”

“I think the board just got scared,” added Hunter, senior pastor of a mega-church in central Florida and the author of “Right Wing, Wrong Bird, Why the Tactics of the Religious Right Won’t Fly With Most Conservative Christians.”

Read whole story.

It’s encouraging (dare we say faith restoring?) to see big-box churches even considering these issues.

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4 Comments so far (Add 1 more)

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The Boise Vineyard Church was recently featured on PBS as a church that is pushing environmental Christian stewardship. I sense that locally some are beginning to understand that Prolife is more than just an antiabortion stance; its taking care of the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the environment.

I heard some dissatisfaction with politicians who were doing little else than checking off “antiabortion positions” on questionaires. The prolife folks need to start asking some pointed questions before endorsing right wingers. Like: “Do you support adaquate foster care reimbursements?” “What do you think would make the state adoption process go more smoothly?” “When the Lord gave mankind dominion over the earth was it for destruction or preservation? What sort of law will you promote in the legislature in this regard?”

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1. Above comment written by Pat Campbell on November 29th, 2006 at 5:47 pm (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).
Pat, I agree with your position that a more comprehensive policy regarding respect life issues is needed. As an example, once there’s a need for foster parents, then we should adequately fund them. The causes of that need though should also be addressed. That would mean strengthening marriage. This same sort of logic should apply to respect life issues in general. We want to reduce the demand for second rate (or worse) solutions.

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2. Above comment written by Dan Duringer on November 30th, 2006 at 7:03 am (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).
It’d be nice if politicians wouldn’t have to be accountable to anti-choice groups and their questionnaires.

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3. Above comment written by Rich on November 30th, 2006 at 8:35 am (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).
Pat, I should further clarify my belief that a correct respect life position also includes concern for poverty, war, and environmental issues.

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4. Above comment written by Dan Duringer on November 30th, 2006 at 9:00 am (replies, if any, are attributed separately above).