CGS-authored
A group of Sacramento-area ministers, provoked by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's recent endorsement of the stem cell research initiative, plans to hold a press conference today to denounce the $3 billion bond measure on next Tuesday's ballot.
The Rev. Jonathan Zachariou, a minister at Davis Christian Assembly Church, said he organized his first-ever political press conference because Schwarzenegger's "voice sways many voters."
"I don't think my voice has as much influence," Zachariou said. "But I want my conscience to be clear that I did all I could, that I made as big a noise as I could."
While religion has permeated this year's presidential debate, conservative Christians opposed to the use of embryos in stem cell research had - until today - focused their message on those who agreed with them.The cash-strapped campaigns against the initiative have emphasized financial and ethical arguments against Proposition 71 - even though most of their nearly $200,000 in funding came from abortion foes - because a majority of California voters support abortion rights.
Tim Rosales, a spokesman for the "No on 71" campaign, said...