Christian Coalition
Starting Anew in Ga.
By AP from the
NYTimes on the Web, September 27, 2006
ATLANTA -- Georgia 's branch
of the Christian Coalition has announced plans to change names and split from
the national group -- making it the fourth state to leave the socially
conservative political group.
Director Sadie Fields said the Georgia branch's board voted about two weeks ago
to make the change because of the Christian Coalition of America 's liberal
''drift.''
''It's really a sad moment,'' Fields said Monday. ''I deeply regret we
have been compelled to take this action, but we felt like we had no other
choice.''
The president of the national organization said Tuesday she will establish a new
chapter in Georgia .
''The Christian Coalition -- or any group -- is not about individuals,'' said
Roberta Combs, president of Christian Coalition of America. ''Maybe we can
work together in the future.''
Combs did not say when the new chapter would be established.
State chapters in Alabama , Iowa and Ohio have also left the Christian
Coalition.
Fields said she became concerned by the changing direction of the national
organization, which now takes stances on issues like the minimum wage, the
environment and Internet law instead of core issues like abortion and same-sex
marriage.
Combs agreed the coalition had begun broadening its agenda. ''Family
values reach beyond abortion and gay marriage,'' she said.
The national Christian Coalition, which claims more than 2 million members, was
founded in 1989 by religious broadcaster the Rev. Pat Robertson.
|
