While we’re talking of things inaugural, I found this interesting from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: the religious affiliations of all 44 presidents of the United States.

The list is dominated by Protestants, and of those, Episcopalians and Presbyterians claim the highest numbers. President Obama is listed as a member of the United Church of Christ, but, as we all know, he’s actually currently in between churches.

So, we could put him on a list that includes a whole lot of us, religiously affiliated or not: seeker.

“The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.”

These were among the words that most moved me in President Barack Obama’s inaugural address.  His speech was filled with references to sacrifice, duty, and responsibility, and I found that focus extremely hopeful and inspiring.  While some of Obama’s detractors seem to hear in such statements a kind of muffled threat of socialism, I hear instead an echo of the Biblical imperatives to love one another and to care for the least of our brothers and sisters.

The beautiful benediction offered by the Rev. Joseph Lowery ended with the words: “Let all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen!”  Those are Biblical values, but they are American values as well, and they will serve our new president well as he navigates the many difficult decisions that lie ahead.

We cannot demand of other nations that which we are unwilling to do…

Photo from Episcopal Life, courtesy of HBO

The firestorm in the blogosphere about Bishop Gene Robinson’s invocation at the inaugural kickoff “We are One” concert just won’t quit. The most recent point of contention is why Bishop Robinson’s prayer was not broadcast on HBO–or even heard on NPR for that matter.

The latest news I can get my hands on indicates that the entire concert, including Bishop Robinson’s speech, will be played on those huge outdoor TV screens on Tuesday morning to entertain everyone who gathers in the Washington Mall before the Inauguration ceremony itself. If this is meant as an apology, I have a feeling it’s not going to satisfy anyone. Why invite the man if you’re not going to let him be heard? Could it really be a simple oversight or technical error, given the incredibly high-wattage, celebrity-filled, professionally-produced nature of this event? At the very least it seems to me a…

From the lds newsroom:

SALT LAKE CITY 16 January 2009 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be represented at inaugural events for President-elect Barack Obama by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency, and Elder M. Russell Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Continued

The two leaders, who have been asked to represent the Church by Church President Thomas S. Monson, are scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony on January 20 and the National Prayer Service at Washington’s National Cathedral on January 21.

“It is always an honor for the Church to be represented at the inauguration of a new president,” said President Monson. “We send our best wishes to President-elect Obama and pray for the blessings of a loving Father in Heaven to be upon him and his administration.”

Photo of Bishop Robinson courtesy of the BBC

I received an email about this and went onto Episcopal Cafe to check it out, where I learned it’s all over the Internet. The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire, will give the invocation at the opening event of the Inaugural Week activities on Sunday, January 18, at the Lincoln Memorial. Part of an email reportedly sent out by Bishop Robinson states:

It will be an enormous honor to offer prayers for the country and the new president, standing on the holy ground where the “I have a dream speech” was delivered by Dr. King, surrounded by the inspiring and reconciling words of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. It is also an indication of the new president’s commitment to being the President of ALL the people. I am humbled and overjoyed at this invitation, and it will be my great honor to be there…

In this Aug. 16, 2008 file photo, then Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, joins Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, for a discussion on moral issues. (Richard Vogel / Associated Press)

Why are people all bent out of shape because Barrack Obama, thinking for himself, chose Rick Warren to give a short invocation? The hoopla over this seems silly. It’s Obama’s inauguration  and he can do whatever he wants. Conservatives aren’t objecting to Joseph Lowery. Silly.

There is so much intolerance for people with different views in this country.

From the Washington Post:

By Jacqueline L. Salmon, Debbi Wilgoren and Peter Slevin
President-elect Barack Obama this morning defended his choice of evangelical megapastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at next month’s swearing-in, saying that although he differs with the conservative pastor on social issues, he wants to have diverse voices at the ceremony.

“I am a fierce advocate of equality for gay…