Christian Coalition
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Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.- Proverbs 31:8-9
I’m not sure if the Verse of the Day from Sojourner’s was selected intentionally for today, but it sure lends itself well to the story over the latest row in the Christian Coalition. Reverend Joel Hunter of a nondenominational congregation in Longwood, Florida, was selected to be the next leader of the political organization. He was to take over in January, but resigned the position yesterday as a result of a battle inside the organization.
Reverend Hunter wanted to broaden the organization’s focus from abortion and gays to include other issues such as environmentalism and poverty. The organization said “no thanks” and he walked out the door.
He hoped to include issues such as easing poverty and saving the environment.
“These are issues that Jesus would want us to care about,” Hunter said.
The resignation took place Tuesday during an organization board meeting.
Hunter said he was not asked to leave.
“They pretty much said, ‘These issues are fine, but they’re not our issues; that’s not our base,’ ” Hunter said of his conversation with the group’s leadership.
First, their problem is that the organization is political and not religious. They have been at the forefront of politicizing religion and building power (and diamond mines) for themselves. The organization has been all about glorifying themselves rather than God.
Second, they have a real base problem. They claim that their base only cares about gays and abortion, which might be true. However, their base has dropped precipitously in the past few years. Several chapters split from the organization and the overall budget is a fifth of what it was a decade ago.
I have no problem hoping for the Christian Coalition to implode in a wave of scandal. However, it’s sad that an organization doesn’t see that this guy was the way to building themselves back up. Organizations on the decline often don’t realize they are the problem until it is too late.