I like to think I'm pretty open-minded, fairly non-judgemental; but I think there are degrees of inclusiveness and I'd like to think that Rick Warren is a degree or two away from giving a benediction at the inauguration of Barack Obama on the Mall in the capital.
This isn't about raising taxes vs cutting spending to balance the budget. This isn't about free trade vs tarriffs. This isn't about states rights vs federalism. This is a man who advocates theocratic interpretations in the application of civil rights in direct opposition to the first and fourteenth amendments of the Constitution of the United States, and I cannot imagine why on earth my President-elect would give Warren a hearing, much less a pulpit on the platform at his inauguration.
This is your inauguration; think "setting the tone." I get that you intend to be the President for all Americans, but it's pretty clear that this guy hasn't got a benediction for everyone; he leaves some people out.
I read a comment somewhere today - I think it was in the Orange County Register - that you appear to be a bit challenged in your selection of clergy, and I've got to go along with that assessment.
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I really agree with you, but what is to be done about all those evangelicals? There are a lot of them, and somehow they should be brought into the mainstream of life in this country. As long as they remain ghettoized there isn't much hope for moderation of their ideas. Perhaps with Warren giving the benediction they will be less inclined to view Obama as the anti-Christ.
I've never been religious, but I think there's an important distinction to be made between 'evangelical' Christians and religious fundamentalists.
President Carter has identified himself as an evangelical, and I volunteer with an evangelical (Baptist) pastor who has no issue with same-sex marriage. (We haven't discussed a woman's right to reproductive choice.) My only issue with evangelicals is that they can be a teensy bit annoying sharing their faith.
My issue with fundamentalists such as Rick Warren and bin Laden has to do with, in my opinion, their perversion of the teachings of their religion to reinforce their bigotry. To give them a platform is to accept their bigotry and I can't accept that.
Can someone explain to me why there must/should be a benediction at a government function? I appreciate your passing along the comment about Pres-elect Obama's being somewhat challenged in his choosing of preachers.
Forty years ago, or so, I had a friend who also happened to be a preacher. Once, when he invited me to attend something at his church, I asked if he recalled that I am an aetheist (or, I may have said agnostic--in practice, there being no difference). He assured me that it was OK...that he didn't discriminate! Bantering between us was appropriate, and fortunately, he was not bent upon saving the unwilling.
Cop Car
I started to write something here and then the power went out; so hope i can remember what it was.
Basically I am not fond of christianists but I think with Warren, he's not totally one of them. Yes, he's wrong on gays. So many of them have read the Bible and I believe misread what it's really talking about (promiscuity) and not understanding the biological differences in us. Hopefully those who are good people will see it eventually and, as they did with misunderstanding different races should not intermarry according to god, they will see that this is ridiculous and cruel to condemn those who are born different to a life of celibacy. It's crazy. But I have heard that Warren walks his talk in terms of helping the poor and donates 90% of his income to that cause. It will be interesting to see what he says that day as some think he's the one who should not have accepted the invitation given many of the things Obama supports are not what he believes.
One thing that Andrew Sullivan said was that he has many times seen where he doubted obama over the last 2 years but each time saw that he really had the right idea. What I hope is that Obama means what he is saying about treating gays fairly and if that is the case, what he does will matter the most.
I don't think anyone should be left out but my take is that the majority rules and I really don't think that Rick Warren represents the majority of American.
I think you know what I, as a renegade Catholic, think of him and
I refuse to cuss on Christmas afternoon. I am being good today. :-)
I'm not convinced that this is setting the tone for his presidency other than demonstrating a 'tone' for his presidency except that he is perhaps reaching out to the fundamentalists.
I doubt they'll accept his effort well.
Merry Christmas, AQ!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas AQ! Sun just came out with rain coming down, so there's a rainbow somewhere.
I hear what your issues are with Warren and Obama's judgment in choosing him and I share many of the same concerns. I'm willing to give the Pres-elect the benefit of the doubt on his selection and await Warren's words. This is simply because I think this country is in desperate need of unification. We must dedicate ourselves to finding common ground but must be alert to ideas that violate our own beliefs.
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