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.
Is he just blowing smoke? I have no idea. But if more Evangelicals (and other Christians) talked this way, I think a lot of resentment against them would (justifiably) soften.
He and I certainly don’t see eye to eye on everything, religious or political. But he seems like a person I could sit at table with and discuss problems rationally, rather than some of the more strident Right-siders.
One thought on “A reasonable voice”