Rick Warren's Invocation Invokes Judaism, Islam
Reader Comments
He was the dark spot.
As a Jewish woman who watched the invocation with her Jewish son, Pastor Warren had the distinct pleasure of providing us both with the the one moment today we felt truly alienated from our country.
It was a reminder that although I'm tolerated, and my vote is courted, when push comes to shove despite all that is outlined regarding Freedom of Religion, I was not truly included in everything today.
On this day when the entire country was reaching out to pull together, I resented it more than I thought I would, even though I expected it.
The first part that reads, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God. The Lord is One." is from the Bible, Deuteronomy Chapter 6 Verse 3. How can this be considered a hat-tip to Judaism only? Christians use the Bible too!
The second part is from the Qu'ran (Koran) and is the beginning of all but a few chapters in it. If Pastor Warren feels that reaching out to other religions in this speech is a good way to bring people to Christ, good for him.
Warren's prayer
I enjoyed Warren's prayer. It touched something deep within me. I too find my hope and faith centered on this one human, Jesus Christ and the God he called "Daddy." I hope he will continue to build bridges with others. I also pray he will begin to move away from the mega church model toward focusing on authentic discipleship and spiritual formation of those under his teaching.
Rick
Every Jewish kids who grew up in the small towns of the South knows how it hurts to be blessed in Jesus's name. If you don't bow your head, you are insulting the person giving the prayer, if you do, you feel hurt inside. Reverend Lowery managed to make his blessing all inclusive, perhaps because he knows better how it feels to be left out.
Response Posting
Response to initial response posting:
Your point is true but if you knew Rick Warren, you would also know that he tries to focus on what we have in common rather than what is different. In other words, he tries to "build a bridge" based on our similarities rather than our differences.
Don't mistake that for a compromise of faith. It is instead, a reaching out...
jc3
Comments are out of context
Rick quoted directly from the Bible. He wasn't referencing Judaism or Muslim.
Does that mean that whenever a majority of the population curse by saying "Jesus" they are really reciting the beginning of a prayer?
If you've heard Rick Warren speak you would know that the only religion he believes is the one under the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
