Why Rick Warren’s Invocation at Obama’s Inauguration Matters

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Why are non-christians hate the fact that Ptr. Rick Warren was the invited speaker on Pres. Obama's inauguration? Is it because they have never given the chance to expose themselves to in the limelight? Whoever is given the chance, let him have the chance. Stop hating cuz it doesn't make you psychologically healthy.

hapz of CA 8:46AM January 22, 2009

His prayer is what America needs! :D

Everything he said were beseech by America's forefathers, there's really nothing new or unique about his prayer.America was founded in God, through God.. its only the disobedient people who ruin it. People hate Warren but the truth is THEY HATE GOD! It's as simple as that.

... but why would you hate God to begin with if you dont even know him, if you dont even read his words to know how a loving God he is? TRUE, sinners like you will go to hell, that is why God has given Jesus so you dont have to go to hell... and that is a loving God who provided a solution to your misery... Rick Warren simply prayed that America will become a better country and what is wrong with that?

Ed of IL 9:46PM January 20, 2009

It may well be Obama doing a bit of soft shoe. If all goes as I imagine (and hope) he is planning on the "evangelical vote" not hanging with him for too long. When they see his progressive agenda, which I welcome with open arms, they, the evange-voters, may fall back to their normal distortion of the text they worship by and proceed to lose their minds altogether.

thepoetryman of AR 4:40AM January 19, 2009

Everyone shouts "tolerance" but it is those who shout the loudest who just cannot accept it. Why are Christians not tolerated for their beliefs? Why are we not free to express our beliefs and feelings without being persecuted for them? If you want tolerance you must also give tolerance and then accept it. I live in a country that allows me freedom of religion and if I choose to be a Christian why do you not accept me the same as all the other so called religions that you want accepted? I think Obama has the right to choose whomever he wants to pray at his inauguration ceremonies. It speaks highly of his tolerance policy.

Debdo of PA 8:23AM January 10, 2009

I worked on the Obama campaign and I'm now sorry I did. Obama has slapped the LGBT community in the face with this. I think now he's going to be just another full of sh** politician who seduced gays for their vote and now is turning his back on us.

In the words of Hillary Clinton, "Shame on you, Barack Obama!!"

www.sidsview.sidneyvaught.net

Sidney Vaught of VA 6:15PM December 29, 2008

It seems to me that quite a few gays are not conversant with the Christian religion.

I would not be interested in anything which told me I was living an abomination to God.

there, tha't what you chicken were to scared to say.

Homosexuality is incompatible with Christianity! Not Just Evangelicals, but every branch which follows the Holy Bible.

Gays, please don't be offended. This is the plain truth and many of you are feigning your shock at both the selection and at the fact that your lifestyle is not concgruent with the KJV.

Jimmy Conway of CA 3:48PM December 28, 2008

I understand the need to come to a compromise between those on the far right and left of the political spectrum. But it certainly makes me uncomfortable that people feel justified in shrugging off Obama's choice for Warren to speak as "rising above pettiness". Primarily because I don't believe if Obama had chosen the head of the KKK to give the prayer it would be as easily disregarded.

This is just further evidence of the little weight given to the civil rights of homosexuals and their treatment in the media. In the same way it would be looked on as tasteless and a sign of the times if Nixon had a racially driven activist present the prayer at his inauguration, it will surely be looked upon as a sign of our these times in the future years when people discuss Obama's choice of Rick Warren. And hopefully one day people will look back at this and think how sad it is that people were willing to right off this decision as "controversial" but ultimately an attempt to "rise above pettiness".

The sub-text of Obama's choice is "it's not a big deal if the president shows any support for someone who encourages bigotry and stands to oppress a minority as long as that minority is as insignificant as the LGBT community". It seems now that Obama's feelings on this particular civil rights issue are not what he claims they are. It worries me greatly.

Ryan of NY 12:48PM December 26, 2008

would like to be associated with you

Roseline of 7:56AM December 26, 2008

I understand that this is the first presidential innaguration to have an all gay band perform. All I am hearing from the gay community is nothing but criticism and not a thank you for bringing in a gay band. Must be a misrable life to just be focusing on the negative, huh?

Charles of CA 12:22AM December 25, 2008

I hope everyone there throws their shoes at the sick twisted FALSE PROPHET OF HATE AND BIGOTRY!

Jayne County of 7:31PM December 24, 2008

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Dan Gilgoff covers religion for U.S. News & World Report. He is the author of The Jesus Machine: How James Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War, and is a former politics editor at beliefnet. E-mail Dan at godandcountry@usnews.com.

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