NewsHour Coverage
October 3, 1997
Our guests debate the Promise Keepers' mission on the NewsHour.
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Promise Keepers
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Several hundred thousand Promise Keepers descended on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. this October for their annual gathering. The all-male evangelical group became the focus of media attention and opened up national debates about religion and politics, and male and female roles in the church and family.
The movement was founded in 1990 by former University of Colorado football coach Bill McCartney. The group seeks to bring participants into a relationship with Jesus Christ, and help them reaffirm their commitments to family and community. While in Washington, members made pledges on matters of moral and sexual purity, racial reconciliation, and responsibility as husbands, fathers and church-goers.
The group has come under criticism from women's groups such as the National Organization of Women. Critics say the Promise Keepers advocate male dominance in the household. Other groups see the show of male Christian power as a political threat against gay and abortion rights. 
Paul Edwards, Vice President of the Promise Keepers, joined Rev. Alice Anderson to continue the NewsHour's discussion.
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