NAE President Reassures Critics of Pro-Life Stance

AverJane1 »

Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:00 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 0

Isn’t that the down fall of many stories in the Bible? They would turn away from God and then came their demise. God never changes. If He did, I would be confused and less likely to trust anything he says. I think some of you get judging others confused with discerning what's absolutely right and what's absolutely wrong. The only way to honestly discern is to seek the Bible for answers to these and many other subjects that will arise in your life. It will make every difference in this world and the next with whom you align yourself. We are called to profess Christ to the world, not sugar coat issues, or passively love everybody. If you deny Him before man, what does scripture say He’ll do? There is evil in the world and there are evil people. Some are even our own loved ones and we have to live with that. We can continue to love them and show them the truth but we have to know ourselves first and the only place you're going to find it is in the God breathed, God inspired, living word of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Someone mentioned the judging of the woman at the well. After everyone had left did He tell her you’re fine, I love you anyway? No, He told her to go and sin no more. Do you think He was being intolerant or simply telling her a truth that she needed to hear? The church needs to let those who are heading to Hell to repent, not be worried about intolerance or hurting someone’s feelings. How much will they care about their feelings when they are in Hell? I think they’d be more mad that someone didn’t really just set them down and tell it like it is.

AverJane1 »

Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:59 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 0

I can't believe that many of the posts I have read here seem to also be whitewashing Cizik's behavior. As Christians we have to be very careful of every word that comes out of our mouth. Being in a position of leadership representing the bride of Christ is a very important job. The Christian leaders represent Christ and His bride (us) to the world so when we hear mixed messages like this it becomes a stumbling block for those who may not be grounded yet in their walk. Some are very fragile and still searching to get a grip on the whole Christian lifestyle change. It's a long, slow process. Remember your own walk with Christ. People in positions like his and pastors and other church leaders are held to a higher accountability because they influence many. Really we all influence many people. People watch everything other people do so when you call yourself a leader of a group who stands against homosexuality and abortion and then give your allegiance to a man like Obama, really what you're saying is, I'll trust God with some of my life but I'll have to go with Obama because I also support some of his ideas. Obama promised to change our economy and those issues are important to me. You know what though; God is able to heal our nation if we turn to Him, not man. As Christians, our trust should be in Him. Isn’t that the down fall of many stories in the Bible? They would turn away from God and then came their demise. God never changes. If He did, I would be confused and less likely to trust anything he says. I think some of you get judging others confused with discerning what's absolutely right and what's absolutely wrong. The only way to honestly discern is to seek the Bible for answers to these and many other subjects that will arise in your life. It will make every difference in this world and the next with whom you align yourself. We are called to profess Christ to the world, not sugar coat issues, or passively love everybody. If you deny Him before man, what does scripture say He’ll do? There is evil in the world and there are evil people. Some are even our own loved ones and we have to live with that. We can continue to love them and show them the truth but we have to know ourselves first and the only place you're going to find it is in the God breathed, God inspired, living word of God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Someone mentioned the judging of the woman at the well. After everyone had left did He tell her you’re fine, I love you anyway? No, He told her to go and sin no more. Do you think He was being intolerant or simply telling her a truth that she needed to hear? The church needs to let those who are heading to Hell to repent, not be worried about intolerance or hurting someone’s feelings. How much will they care about their feelings when they are in Hell? I think they’d be more mad that someone didn’t really just set them down and tell it like it is.

lewr2 »

Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:47 pm Agree: 3   Disagree: 0

I do not believe in the NAE as they're becoming more and more worldly. Cowtowing to secular thoughts. Cizik was wrong in his homosexual marriage comment. It's a non-negotiable in Christian terms.

By the way... we ARE to judge depending on the way you use the term. We are to make decisions about people and things. The bible is littered with right and wrong decisions.

CaryRW »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:00 pm Agree: 0   Disagree: 0

Beautifully put, ImperfectSaved!

ImperfectSaved »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 2:30 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 3

Whoever wrote it is not ours to judge is correct. It is also true that we are to love people to repentance.

We Christians are to use Jesus as our role model when trying to steer people toward repentance. We can't be like Jesus if we're not speaking biblical truths in a loving way. This doesn't mean that you don't speak the truth, but it does mean that you do it with humilty.

Jesus taught us about worrying about the spec in someone else's eye, when we have a plank in our own needing removed first. He taught the pharisees a lesson by asking the first one without sin to throw stones at the woman they brought to Him caught in an adulteress affair. No stones were thrown!

Fact 1: Abortion is murder.
Fact 2: Homosexuality is sexual immorality.
Fact 3: Both are sins.
Fact 4: The person who commits these sins, or any other sin, without repenting is lost, but not without hope.
Fact 5: Christians don't make up the rules, God does. We have no right to challenge the rules because we are the created, not the creator. If people don't like the facts, they need to take it up personally with God. Maybe in doing so they will find the truth.

I do agree that Mr. Cizik needs to step down on his own or if he won't be made to step down. The bible clearly speaks about the qualifications of the people placed in high positions within the church or representing the church. It appears Mr. Cizik has given into the enemy and has started walking down the wrong path. We should pray for him to return to God. Remember to love your neighbor today, no matter who they are like Jesus did.

JHS »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 12:28 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 1

The problem here is that people confuse the republican party with christianity,

CaryRW »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 11:26 am Agree: 6   Disagree: 0

Folks - While we need to have tolerance for fools, Thunder is just trying to get your goat! Moral relativism and liberal media brainwashing have done it's toll on him/her. The Bible clearly states over and over to take a stand. For example, in Revelation 3:16 it is written "So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." How much more clearer does God need to make it.

The bottom line is Christians have been silent for FAR TOO LONG! And because of it, we are in the situation that we face today. Our President-Elect is an out right liar, the people he is choosing for his cabinet are godless and immoral. We Christians are to blame! Had we stood up in the 60's, 70's, and so on, it might be a better nation today. We didn't! All we can do now is pray that God will have mercy on us. Besides, with the chaos the world is in today and all the signs, Jesus is coming back soon and some of us will be going home!!!

thunder »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:26 am Agree: 2   Disagree: 13

TIMEMARKER...where do you get your information? People like you are very angry people....I used to be angry...until I finally decided that it's God who will be The Judge. That's how I finally came to the decision to label myself "pro-choice." It's not up to me to judge people; the woman who makes that decision will have to stand before her God and be judged by Him. Yes, abortion is a horrible thing; no one is pro-abortion, which some of your ilk like to use as yet another fear-term. Also, your "facts" concerning gays are simply comical. Obviously you have never known a successful (financially, emotionally, and spiritually) gay person...once again, you are one of those who speak about something that you know absolutely nothing about. If evangelicals decided to use new, positive tactics, then maybe you would not have lost the election. People are tired of your modus operandi.

bossmanham »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 10:07 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

I understand your point, Timemarker. However, the apostles used strong language for false teachers and Martin Luther also wasn't very friendly all the time. There's a point when you gotta call it like you see it. Babies are dying!

Timemarker »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 9:04 am Agree: 5   Disagree: 2

Bossmanham, Speak the Truth in love.
Is it love, Thunder, to allow a baby to be pulled part way from his mother's womb and then insert a scalpel and suction his brains out? Is it love to take a baby born alive after a failed abortion and leave it in a utility room to die? Yet Obama failed to vote against either of these barbaric practices!

Is it love to condone and even promote a lifestyle which leads to depression, shorter life expectancy and astronomically higher rates of STD infection? Since over 40% of homosexuals were abused as children, wouldn't it be more loving to punish abusers and rescue the innocent?

Does LOVE stand idly by and watch neighbors going down the highway to Hell, or does LOVE stand in the middle of the street crying," Stop! You're going the wrong way!"?

ccrabill »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 8:19 am Agree: 6   Disagree: 2

Cizik was sucking up to the liberal media to gain their approval by being "tolerant". That's fine. But not as representing The Body of CHRIST! Time to go! Maybe NPR will offer him a position.

bossmanham »

Tue Dec 09, 2008 3:04 am Agree: 3   Disagree: 1

Thunder you moron we're not talking about choosing drapes. Children are dying. But by your logic, in 1865 those fighting for the abolition of slavery should have just gotten with the program, slavery was there! If you didn't want a slave, don't get one.

We should have just let Hitler do his thing too. He wanted to kill the Jews. But if you didn't want to, you didn't have to. You lack a moral center and the ability to think logically. Grow up, get educated, then talk.

chk555 »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:46 pm Agree: 8   Disagree: 1

There is a wolf in the hen house boys. If it walks like a duck, if it talks like a duck, guess what? It's a duck. Same thing for Liberals in the Evangelical house. Out of the mouth flows the desires of the heart.

farseen »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:32 pm Agree: 8   Disagree: 1

A spokesman for an Evangelical Organization as long standing as NAE should speak clearly and confidently as to the positions of the organization. If he can't do that, he needs to be removed.

Hoopster11 »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:58 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 1

There is no love devoid of truth. It is not judgmental to speak the truth in love. Jesus, whose death was the most loving act of all eternity, clearly spoke judgment against those who opposed His will and prevented others from learning it. See Matthew 23

thunder »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 8:14 pm Agree: 2   Disagree: 23

No wonder the Republican party is going down the tubes. Look where we are....THANK GOD for Barack Obama....Look people, as Christians we are called to love, not judge. This is 2008. If you don't want an abortion, don't have one. If you don't like gay marriage, don't have one. Get it? Neither are going away any time soon. Love. Don't judge.

Hoopster11 »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 7:29 pm Agree: 17   Disagree: 1

There are two important political resources for the Christian: The Bible and the Constitution. While it is hoped that a candidate may be selected because of his stance on the inspired Word of God it is absolutely crucial that no candidate be elected who is not committed to the Constitution. On that basis alone Mr. Cizik should never have supported Obama. He has no regard for the written law of our country, thinks it does not give enough power to the central government. If he takes the presidential oath he will be lying. His ideologies have no place in a Republic. As to moral issues it is always true that righteousness exalts a nation. Abortion and homosexual marriage, etc. are not righteous and continue to lead to our nation's demise. Discussion of these things is relevant but that an organization which calls itself evangelical would permit a high ranking officer to support either is unthinkable. Mr Cizik must leave and the NAE must be reformed.

loveJesus »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:27 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 1

Ok, well with a humble heart that is really hoping your reactions will be Christ like to my comments, I have to say that while I am 100% pro life and 100% in support of a ban on gay marriage...I don't necessarily agree on everyone getting so upset at Cizik. Many of you are saying he supports abortion - but his comments were that he does NOT. His quote I read was "So it’s possible for me to disagree with a candidate on high profile issues and still believe that on a basis of character of philosophy he is the better of two candidates.” He specifically says that he DISAGREEs with the candidate in question, which is President Elect Barack Obama, on "high profile issues." Abortion is a HUGE issue for our nation, but its NOT THE ONLY ONE. Gay marriage is a HUGE issue for our nation, but it too is NOT THE ONLY ONE! I think we don't have to look far into news reports to see that our blessed Republican party isn't full of faithful Christians only and that all Republican candidates don't represent a Christ like moral standard just because they vote pro-life and against gay marriage. Also, contrary to popular traditions of men's beliefs, the Democratic party isn't absent of faithful Christians who serve and love our Lord and share the same views that we all do about right and wrong being established by the Word of God.

Whether we agree or disagree with President-Elect Obama, we have a charge in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;" This charge is for us to thank the Lord and intercede in prayer for our leaders, those we agree with and those we don't. This includes President-elect Obama as well as Rev Cizik. Let's lay down our weapons and intercede for our leaders instead of wasting our time blasting them on the internet. May the peace and love of God lead us all.

dmcgrew »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:48 pm Agree: 8   Disagree: 0

Look, I have to question any person calling themselves a follower of Christ who supports abortion as a matter of choice. That's a person who's luke warm.

Remove Cizik.

eddieblick »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:07 pm Agree: 1   Disagree: 6

You mean that you AGREE: I wrote: "The knee jerk reaction of the right wing is that it will not allow discussion of any position other than its own and regards that discussion as treason or capitulation."

You just ratified that to be true.

ID4234 »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 3:02 pm Agree: 7   Disagree: 2

I disagree. The problem here is weakness. Abortion and protection of marriage must be non-negotiable. Any candidate in favor of those must be one we oppose.

eddieblick »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:03 pm Agree: 5   Disagree: 20

Sorry to disagree, but Richard Cizik has served us well for thirty years. He did make some poorly advised statements on the program -- like admitting whom he voted for in this or any election -- but it is no reason to throw him under the bus. Hundreds of interviews over the years will inevitably yield an occasional gaff, but it does not invalidate his role or disqualify him.

The problem here may well be the knee jerk right wing that won't even allow discussion of any position other than its own and regards that discussion as treason or capitulation.

SqueakyWheel »

Mon Dec 08, 2008 11:18 am Agree: 19   Disagree: 1

Rev. Richard Cizik needs to step down from his position as VP of governmental affairs. His comments are divisive & not reflective of the values of the NAE.

The fact that the president of the NAE needs to clarify the comments of Rev. Cizik to prevent misunderstanding from NAE board members & constituents only means that Rev. Cizik can no longer be trusted to speak for the NAE.

Let Rev. Cizik speak all that he wants regarding his personal views but let him not speak as a representative of the NAE any longer. A "loose canon" can be divisive and damaging to the Kingdom of God when disunity is sown and anti-biblical values are promoted.

It's time to hire a new VP of governmental affairs!