Why Were Evangelical Groups Silent About Tony Dungy?
By Dan Gilgoff, God & Country
Now that Tony Dungy has officially declined the Obama administration's invitation to join its faith advisory council, I'm wondering if the former NFL coach would have decided differently had evangelical groups supported him. A slew of gay rights and liberal groups blasted the invite to Dungy over his opposition to gay marriage, while the only conservative Christian group to defend it, as far as I can tell, is the Family Research Council.
Focus on the Family, whose Indiana affiliate presented Dungy with a 2007 award and was at the heart of the controversy surrounding the White House invitation, kept completely quiet.
The Indiana Focus affiliate, the Indiana Family Institute, was also mum.
So was the American Family Association. Ditto for the Southern Baptist Convention's public policy wing, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Same at Gary Bauer's American Values.
Would those groups' outspoken support for Dungy have made a difference? It could have. The Obama administration had already issued the invitation, so the ball was in Dungy's court. He had lots of folks speaking out against his participation in the council and only one advocacy group in D.C. coming to his defense. He was totally outmanned.
At a moment when a string of states are legalizing gay marriage, wouldn't groups opposed to gay marriage want every ally they can get on Obama's apparently influential faith council? Now those groups will have to deal with a council that has become considerably more liberal in its second round of appointments.
- Follow Dan Gilgoff on Twitter.
- Read more about the Obama administration.
Tags: religion | evangelicals | Obama administration
Tools: 
Share
|
| Comments (9) | Print
Reader Comments
"marriage"
I'm an Obama supporter [though from a right wing Goldwater youth].
I do not support gay marriage but likewise do not see it as nearly as important as about 100 more pressing problems! [and about 80 of them were caused or made worse by Bush/Cheney !]
I think a compromise could be a blank space on a civil union certificate, and people can fill in the words marriage if they want. They would do it, not the state.
Gays should have full rights. But "marriage" has been a term for a man and woman, and I completely understand more conservative people wanting that, in a sense merely a definition in the English language, to stay that way.
A close friend moved to Europe years ago so he could marry his partner. I don't feel that I should or are judging him in this time siding with conservatives. But it is terrible that the Fox Channel, etc., are trying to turn this into another divisive fight. We already are fighting THEIR unnecessary Iraq War, isn't that enough wasted energy?
Reply to Bob, David, and Asinus
Bob obviously has never met and knows practically nothing about Tony Dungy, or he could never characterize him as he did. Tony is exactly opposite of they way Bob describes him in real life. David does to Patrick/Patty precisely what he accuses them of. His comments portray himself in his own words "hate filled intolerant...passing judgement." Asimus reveals, as do most non-evangelicals, an ignorance of what makes an evangelical. It has nothing to do with politics. In the evangelical camp are people of nearly every political stripe. Just because a person is an evangelical does not make him conservative, he may be very liberal and Asimus's conclusion may not be true. It may very well be that all of the Faith Based Advisory Council is "liberal."
Tony Dungy--Following God's Direction
Please give Tony Dungy a little credit for how his Chirstian faith is guiding him in the midst of decision-making junctures.
Mr. Dungy is mature enough to pray & discern God's will for his life without the need for "polling" the public favorability of a decision.
Perhaps it's time for Mr. Gilgoff is break through the journalistic bubble & breathe some fresh air.
Not every decision needs to be so politically calculating.
There is such a thing as obeying God's personal calling for one's life.
advertisement
