Obama’s olive branch to the Christian right
WASHINGTON - The man who called gay marriage “morally equivalent to allowing brothers and sisters to marry,” is going to deliver a religious invocation at President-elect Barack Obama’s swearing-in. He described abortion as a “holocaust.”
He’s Rick Warren, the pastor at 20,000-member Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.
Top liberal groups, like the Human Rights Campaign and People for the American Way, have voiced their disappointment over Obama’s selection of Warren.
Obama, however, says the selection of Warren is about bringing people together instead of tearing them apart.
“It is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans,” Obama said at a Thursday press conference in Chicago. However, he argued: “It’s important for America to come together, even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues.”
Warren, issued a statement today chiming in on his invitation to speak at Obama’s inauguration.
“I commend President-elect Obama for his courage to willingly take enormous heat from his base by inviting someone like me, with whom he doesn’t agree on every issue, to offer the Invocation at his historic Inaugural ceremony,” Warren said. “Hopefully individuals passionately expressing opinions from the left and the right will recognize that both of us have shown a commitment to model civility in America.”
Obama has also noted that pastor and civil rights leader Joseph Lowery, “who has deeply contrasting views to Rick Warren on a whole host of issues,” will also speak at the inauguration.
This is a no issue. Why on earth would anyone attempt to force a Christian to pervert God’s word and accept gay unions as marriages?
Obama as a Christians is against gay unions being called marriages, as any Christian should be. Obama has not misled anyone concerning his beliefs and has always confessed to be a practicing Christian. Did these people think that he was lying?
Rick Warren is a Christian minister for God’s sake and a pretty honorable one who concentrates on teaching bible based only principles. These particular “gay and lesbian groups” want Christian leaders and other Christians to pervert the word of God but a true follower of Christ will do no such thing intentionally.
Gays should be ecstatic to have Christians in this world such as Obama and Rick Warren because they truly are Christ-like. Some people who identify themselves as Christians refuse to pervert God’s word and change it to suit himself or herself or anyone else.
I too support the right of gay and lesbians to be gay and lesbians and have unions and the same legal rights as marriages. But, don’t cross the line with me as a Christian demanding me to pretend that the Holy Scripture of the Christian do not make it clear that same-sex sexual relations are not taught as being abominations against God (sin). Hey, everyone has the right to accept this or reject it and I will fight for gays and lesbians to have that right in our society.
I respect Rick Warren and see him as a great Christian Leader and am very pleased that Obama has invited him to speak at his inauguration. Gays and others who disagree with this should to get a grip here. Everyone does not agree with you, me, Rick Warren, that’s their right, strop attempting to force people to follow and accept your agenda, you are being no different than the fanatical “Christian Religious Right”! Just stop this non-sense, will you?
I am really, really proud of Mr. Obama for choosing pastor Warren. It truly shows that he is a real liberal in the true sense of the word. He is open and accepting of people with other beliefs. However, in this case Mr. Obama and Pastor Warren are on the same page opposing gay marriage. That is their right. It is the gays here that are the intollerant bunch and believe that anyone that does not share their view should not be heard or tolerated in society.
Mr. Obama is following the beliefs of his Muslim heritage and also his Black Liberation Theology Marxist church which he attended for 20 years. In fact, I was surprised that he did not pick Rev. Wright.
Also, he picked another pastor who is a pro-gay marriage activist to speak also. I like seeing Mr. Obama dissing the intolerant far left. It gives me hope for his administration. I would not be surprised to hear booing and seeing backs being turned when Pastor Warren speaks. This should be interesting.
This is simply a diversion from the “Messiah.” While everyone was focusing on Rick Warren, Obama nominated a Lesbian from LA for his team.
I think if President Elect Obamas really wanted to “send a message” he would have had two pastors deliver a joint invocation — Revs. Rick Warren and Jeremiah Wright.
joan32845,
Whom ever this supposedly lesbian person is you speak of, is she qualified and capable of doing the job that she has been assigned and, will her being gay somehow interfere with the duties of her job? If not what is you problem with gays, lesbians or unmarried people who practice sex outside wedlock being appointed to a position in this present government system?
Do you mistakenly believe that government is the church or something or has a requirement that states that ones employed in government should practice a certain religion and be obedient to its precepts? Don’t you think that it is a blessing that we have a government who allow Christians and other religions to practice their faith and not interfere with it? This should be your fight concerning our government, making sure that you and your family and all others can live in peace here, practicing the precepts of what ever your religion is without government interference.
Actually, the LA chick is the second lesbian. Gov. Napolitano is also a lesbian. Not that that matters for any reason to me, but you know those Democrats love those catgories. Apparently some gay/les group was upset that Obama had not yet picked an admitted gay person yet. Can’t see what difference it makes, but whatever floats your boat I say. Just thought this may answer your comment DWalker and probably why Joan informed us. All I care is that these idiots do their jobs.
How about Obama do something a little more substantial for the Christian Right? There is one little thing he could do that would help improve the lives of over 1 million Americans each year. It could be the ultimate in faith based initiatives and would solidify him as one of the greatest and compassionate leaders in American history.
Acentric -
I do not know where you get your “information” from but in re Gov. Naplolitano cf:
http://www.queerty.com/janet-napolitano-to-run-homeland-security-cue-up-the-sexuality-questions-20081120/
As to your continued harping about “black liberation theology” has you ever actually read the books?
Kudos to Barrack. Correct, in being open and accepting of those he may disagree with as well as giving them the respect all human beings deserve, he has proven himself to be a true liberal.