Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Associated Baptist Press Foundation
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Donate Subscribe
Search Search this site

NAE board declines to chasten Cizik for campaign against global warming

NewsABPnews  |  November 29, 1999

MINNEAPOLIS (ABP) — Board members of the National Association of Evangelicals declined March 9 to chasten the group's public-policy officer for his public statements on global warming — but an intramural fight among evangelical elites on the issue may just be starting.

NAE directors, meeting March 8-9 in Minneapolis, did not issue any formal reprimand or criticism to Richard Cizik, NAE's vice president for governmental affairs — despite a request from 25 politically connected evangelical leaders to silence or fire Cizik for what they called his “relentless campaign” against global warming.

The request came in a letter signed by such Religious Right luminaries as James Dobson of Focus on the Family and Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. The letter was sent to NAE board members and released to the news media earlier in the month.

“While many of us consider Richard to be a friend, he regularly speaks without authorization for the entire organization and puts forward his own political opinions as scientific fact,” the letter said. Claiming that the reality of human-induced global warming was an unsettled scientific issue, it continued: “We believe it is unwise for an NAE officer to assert conclusively that those questions have been answered or that the membership as a whole has taken a position on a matter.”

The letter also claimed that Cizik is “using the global-warming controversy to shift the emphasis away from the great moral issues of our time, notably the sanctity of human life, the integrity of marriage, and the teaching of sexual abstinence and morality to our children. In their place has come a preoccupation with climate concerns that extend beyond the NAE's mandate and its own statement of purpose.”

Leith Anderson, a Minnesota pastor who serves as NAE's president, has stated he is “behind” Cizik.

The group also reaffirmed a 2004 NAE document that places “creation care” alongside nurturing the family, guarding the sanctity of life and caring for the poor as priorities for public policy.

However, one NAE board member who has been critical of Cizik's views on global warming said debate on the issue is not settled. Jerald Walz, director of operations for the Washington-based Institute for Religion and Democracy, said the board only discussed the letter in regard to how it was released. Anderson and some board members have been critical of the letter-writers for releasing it to the news media simultaneously with sending it to Cizik and board members.

“I think it's fair to say that there was concern about how the accusations were delivered to NAE, and that fact overshadowed some of the substantive questions that might have been raised,” Walz said.

He said that while he believes “there are both private and public discussions of discomfort” among NAE directors over Cizik's advocacy against global warming, “determining the relative strengths and weaknesses of those among board members is difficult to ascertain.”

Personally, Walz said, he believes Cizik's views have “extended beyond” NAE's stated views on protecting the environment.

Other evangelical leaders have defended Cizik. Jim Wallis, head of the evangelical anti-poverty group Sojourners/Call to Renewal, challenged Dobson to a debate over the issue.

“If the scientific consensus is right — climate change is real, is caused substantially by human activity, and could result in hundreds of thousands of deaths — then isn't that also a great moral issue? Could global warming actually be alarming evidence of human tinkering with God's creation?” he asked, in a March 8 e-mail newsletter article.

“Or, are the only really 'great moral issues' those concerning abortion, gay marriage, and the teaching of sexual abstinence? I happen to believe that the sanctity of life, the health of marriages, and teaching sexual morality to our children are, indeed, among the great moral issues of our time. But I believe they are not the only great moral issues, and Dobson says they are.”

-30-

Read more:

NAE's Anderson responds to pressure from conservatives on warming (3/5)

Evangelicals join with scientists in fight against global warming (1/17)

Groups of evangelical leaders face off over global warming (2/9/2006)

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
Tags:Archives
More by
ABPnews
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • How to connect the dots while watching Shiny Happy People

      Analysis

    • A friendly conversation on being ‘woke’

      Opinion

    • On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common

      News

    • The whole gospel of God for a church and nation in crisis

      Opinion


    Curated

    • Polish city throws children’s bubble party on top of Jewish graves

      Polish city throws children’s bubble party on top of Jewish graves

    • Seattle’s Quest Church leaves ECC as church affirms LGBTQ Christians

      Seattle’s Quest Church leaves ECC as church affirms LGBTQ Christians

    • Vatican bank reports significant profit adopting Catholic ethics

      Vatican bank reports significant profit adopting Catholic ethics

    • Thousands Gather Outside Colorado Capitol Calling On Governor To Ban All Guns

      Thousands Gather Outside Colorado Capitol Calling On Governor To Ban All Guns

    Read Next:

    When a Baptist Press story tells you only part of the story

    AnalysisMark Wingfield

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • New assistance programs cause poverty rate among immigrants to fall in U.S.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Finding hope in in the church despite these two documentaries

      OpinionErin Albin Hill

    • Mike Stone has an unlikely nominator for his SBC presidential run

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees release 20 years of financials that show devastating decline began under Patterson

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • How to connect the dots while watching Shiny Happy People

      AnalysisRick Pidcock

    • How the new documentary series Shiny Happy People intersects with mainstream Christianity

      AnalysisMallory Challis

    • What I learned when I invited a friend to church who processes the world differently than me

      OpinionDebby Haralson

    • On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • A friendly conversation on being ‘woke’

      OpinionRuss Dean

    • When a Baptist Press story tells you only part of the story

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • 27% of Americans are still watching religious services online

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Resolving to ‘respect the diversity’ of the global Baptist family

      AnalysisSteven R. Harmon

    • ‘Leaders are formed in the leading,’ Bolsinger advises pastors

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • The right’s zero-tolerance policy on Pride

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • The whole gospel of God for a church and nation in crisis

      OpinionH. Stephen Shoemaker

    • One year after Roe was overturned, states have a ‘hodgepodge of laws’

      NewsSteve Rabey

    • The rhetorical genuis of Rick Warren

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Remembering the Tulsa race massacre of 1921

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • The Respect for Marriage Act helped de-escalate the culture wars

      OpinionTanner Bean

    • Stone of Destiny: Rising secularism and its influence on Scottish independence

      AnalysisKristen Thomason

    • Here’s a guide to understanding the latest report from Southwestern’s trustees

      AnalysisMark Wingfield

    • Is Rick Warren reviving the fight against the fundamentalist takeover of the SBC?

      OpinionMeredith Stone

    • An open letter to all Southern Baptists

      OpinionRick Warren

    • Shurden Lecture takes on the ‘myth of American chosenness’

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • New assistance programs cause poverty rate among immigrants to fall in U.S.

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Mike Stone has an unlikely nominator for his SBC presidential run

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees release 20 years of financials that show devastating decline began under Patterson

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • On migrant crisis, the U.S. and UK governments share a controversial tactic in common

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • 27% of Americans are still watching religious services online

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • ‘Leaders are formed in the leading,’ Bolsinger advises pastors

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • One year after Roe was overturned, states have a ‘hodgepodge of laws’

      NewsSteve Rabey

    • Shurden Lecture takes on the ‘myth of American chosenness’

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • What happens when Tom Ascol finds Ted Cruz to be too liberal and quotes Leviticus 20:13?

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Three billboards outside Nashville, Tennessee

      NewsRick Pidcock

    • Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina loses president and board chair in same week

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Faith-based immigration advocates hopeful about new bill in Congress

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Coalition urges White House not to overlook Black immigrants

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Gay Christian man says he was kicked off BWA commissions

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Southwestern trustees affirm their leadership and repudiate two trustees who raised alarms

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • How to fix anemic U.S. rural health care? Learn from Africa and look to the churches, Birx says

      NewsElizabeth Souder

    • Medical professionals address myths and misconceptions about transgender kids

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Opal Lee may be the ‘Grandmother of Juneteenth,’ but she’s not done working for justice yet

      NewsMallory Challis

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • U.S. Department of Education issues guidance on religious expression in schools

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Ten Commandments bill dies in Texas Legislature

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Leader of Assemblies of God student group at Baylor arrested on child sexual abuse charges

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • BJC and Interfaith Alliance applaud first-ever national strategy to counter antisemitism

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • New documentary series shows how churches that close can keep ministry open

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Finding hope in in the church despite these two documentaries

      OpinionErin Albin Hill

    • What I learned when I invited a friend to church who processes the world differently than me

      OpinionDebby Haralson

    • A friendly conversation on being ‘woke’

      OpinionRuss Dean

    • The right’s zero-tolerance policy on Pride

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • The whole gospel of God for a church and nation in crisis

      OpinionH. Stephen Shoemaker

    • The rhetorical genuis of Rick Warren

      OpinionRodney Kennedy

    • Remembering the Tulsa race massacre of 1921

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • The Respect for Marriage Act helped de-escalate the culture wars

      OpinionTanner Bean

    • Is Rick Warren reviving the fight against the fundamentalist takeover of the SBC?

      OpinionMeredith Stone

    • An open letter to all Southern Baptists

      OpinionRick Warren

    • An open letter to Elijah Brown, Baptist World Alliance CEO

      OpinionRichard Wilson

    • Why this seminary professor’s view of MrBeast and his friend is deadly and dangerous

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • What I learned from Taylor Swift

      OpinionBill Wilson

    • Remembering Pulse nighclub and the power of affirmation

      OpinionMaina Mwaura

    • Working and waiting with people and plants

      OpinionBob Newell

    • Let’s reclaim the real Baptist identity

      OpinionJustin L. Addington

    • To the mother who complained about Amanda Gorman’s poem

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • Rising from the ashes: God’s empowering message for displaced women

      OpinionRosaly Guzman

    • How the Progressive National Baptist Convention plans to put faith into action

      OpinionDarryl Gray

    • Believe me: The struggle of Black pain

      OpinionZachary Barber

    • They’ll know we are Christians by our what?

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • How to celebrate Pentecost without balloons, plastic doves or salsa

      OpinionJack Levison

    • The generational pain and hope of the Southern Baptist witch trials

      OpinionWill Raybon

    • Why demographic shifts haven’t yet swamped the Republican Party

      OpinionRobert P. Jones

    • Tina Turner kept the divine flame burning

      OpinionJustin Cox

    • Polish city throws children’s bubble party on top of Jewish graves

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Seattle’s Quest Church leaves ECC as church affirms LGBTQ Christians

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Vatican bank reports significant profit adopting Catholic ethics

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Thousands Gather Outside Colorado Capitol Calling On Governor To Ban All Guns

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Fighting For Peace: Russians Use Faith To Protest Invasion Of Ukraine Despite Risks

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Anti-hate mural showcasing Jewish diversity goes up in LA neighborhood where antisemitic shootings took place

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • What Happens When Christians and Muslims Translate Scripture Side by Side

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • How Biden has navigated LGBTQ issues as a Catholic president

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • New Capital Jewish Museum ‘connects the past to the present’ in downtown DC

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Arson investigation underway after fire burns Los Angeles church for second time in 2 years

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Lionized for his Jan. 6 antics, Jake Angeli finds his spiritual beliefs a harder sell

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Utah district bans Bible in elementary and middle schools ‘due to vulgarity or violence’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • In Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial, Jewish rituals feature as prominently as the carnage of the day

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Manipur Christians: ‘The Violence Has Shattered Us’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pride flag glimpsed on ‘The Chosen’ set prompts call for boycott

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Why Chick-fil-A Is Drawing Fire Over a ‘Culture of Belonging’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Survey: Drop in Eastern European antisemitism may be due to Zelenskyy effect

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Street scrolls: The beats, rhymes and spirituality of Latin hip-hop

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • ‘Felt like a year’: Worshipper describes fear during gunman’s deadly attack on Pittsburgh synagogue

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Near the Western Wall, Jewish radicals shout at Christian Evangelicals to ‘go home’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Playing a religious character without making faith the punchline

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Jewish settlers erect religious school in evacuated West Bank outpost after Israel repeals ban

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • How the practice of Nichiren Buddhism sustained Tina Turner for 50 years

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Connecticut lawmakers absolve accused colonial-era witches, apologize for “miscarriage of justice”

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • ‘Avatar’ Franchise Expands Ideas About Spirituality Beyond A Western, Christian Lens

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2023 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS