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)
