http://www.onenewsnow.com/Church/Default.aspx?id=730256A Protestant renewal organization is blasting the National Association of Evangelicals for its liberal stance on illegal immigration.
Earlier this month, the Board of Directors for the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) passed a resolution endorsing so-called "comprehensive" immigration reform. Critics argue, however, that this is nothing more than support of amnesty for illegal aliens.
NAE president Leith Anderson testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Refugees and Border Security as part of a panel of religious leaders which advocated loosening immigration policies. Mark Tooley, president of The Institute on Religion & Democracy, says the NAE endorsement was appreciated by the head of that panel.
"New York Democrat [Senator] Chuck Schumer understandably greeted the evangelical testimony enthusiastically because, in effect, they were supporting his efforts to revive the idea of comprehensive immigration reform," says Tooley, "which would, in essence, create a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants."
According to Tooley, this is not the first time the NAE has supported liberal causes.
"The NAE has in the recent past become outspoken on environmentalism and global warming, and then condemn[ed] the U.S. for what it calls 'torture' in its interrogation of terror detainees," the IRD spokesman states. "And next, [the NAE] plans to adopt a petition regarding nuclear disarmament."
Tooley says at least one member of the NAE -- The Salvation Army -- has publically disavowed the NAE immigration statement, saying it could not endorse such a political agenda.