Georgia's branch
of the Christian Coalition of America 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 what it perceives as the
coalition's liberal ''drift," including less focus on
opposing gay rights.
''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.''
Roberta Combs,
president of Christian Coalition of America, said Tuesday
she will establish a new chapter in Georgia. ''The Christian
Coalition--or any group--is not about
individuals,'' said Combs. ''Maybe we can work
together in the future.''
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 such as the minimum wage,
the environment, and Internet law instead of "core"
issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
Combs agrees the
coalition has 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 Reverend Pat Robertson. (AP)
