BOISE -- The Idaho Christian Coalition is no more. The conservative religious group is ending after more than a decade of promoting messages against abortion and in favor of families.
A letter on the organization's Web site says the Christian Coalition has completed its mission and its supporters should now back other groups, namely the Idaho Chooses Life Alliance.
"Therefore we acknowledge that the time is right for Idaho Christian Coalition to cease to be," reads the letter, which is signed "In our Lord, Jesus Christ, The Idaho Christian Coalition Board of Directors."
Board members Bob Forrey and Bob Hoover said talk of ending the group brewed for several months because other groups like Idaho Chooses Life have become more powerful.
Hoover said the coalition did not want to dilute the conservative Christian voice in Idaho, especially with other groups continuing to pop up.
The final decision to dissolve was made at the group's last board meeting on June 29.
Board secretary David Ferdinand announced in the spring he would leave the group to run for the Idaho Senate.
He said the coalition has not been active since the end of the last legislative session when Director Nancy Bloomer resigned. The board never looked for a replacement.
In addition to its anti-abortion message, the coalition also got involved with other political issues. The group joined others in an unsuccessful attempt to privatize Idaho Public Television. The coalition argued that the station promotes "the acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle."
Rep. Bill Sali, R-Meridian, who worked with the coalition, and Dottie Christensen, who opposed the coalition as Canyon County coordinator for the Interfaith Alliance of Idaho, both said the group's end means little because there are still people who support the same message.