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[bart_at_camp]

Politics and faith

Pastor Rick Warren is delivering the invocation at Obama's inauguration. And many members of Obama's "base" are ticked off. Apparently changing the way we do politics in Washington doesn't mean letting someone who has different beliefs be a part of the celebration. Some liberal people of faith think he's too conservative on social

Comments

[c_hartley]

Because Warren publically supported Proposition 8, I think it's natural for people to be scratching their heads over this.

I don't think we'd call it "progressive" or "open-minded" to have a segregationist speak at Obama's inauguration. It would just be silly.

Likewise, having an anti-gay preacher address the thousands at the inauguration who support gay rights, is just silly.

-C

[bart_at_camp]

Thoughts from Andrew Sullivan, an excellent essayist and blogger who is also gay, HIV positive, Catholic, and a conservative who endorse Obama...

"If I cannot pray with Rick Warren, I realize, then I am not worthy of being called a Christian. And if I cannot engage him, then I am not worthy of being called a writer. And if we cannot work with Obama to bridge these divides, none of us will be worthy of the great moral cause that this civil rights movement truly is.

The bitterness endures; the hurt doesn't go away; the pain is real. But that is when we need to engage the most, to overcome our feelings to engage in the larger project, to understand that not all our opponents are driven by hate, even though that may be how their words impact us. To turn away from such dialogue is to fail ourselves, to fail our gay brothers and sisters in red state America, and to miss the possibility of the Obama moment.

It can be hard to take yes for an answer. But yes is what Obama is saying. And we should not let our pride or our pain get in the way

[ful_house]

Segregationist???

Please provide more information.

Is anyone shocked when liberals call for tolerance an openness unless they disagree? Then they call you redneck, stupid, racist, etc. No shock from me. I'm just glad Obama isn't being push around yet

[c_hartley]

I don't hate Rick Warren. His voice is valuable, and if this were a forum for dialogue and diversity, then he would be perfect. Vital, even.

But it's not. It's just a ceremony. It's all about symbols. And, you know, I'm sure he'll do a fine job.

But man, if I were gay, and I *finally* had hope that the head executive was on my side, I'd be more than a little peeved to find that he'd chosen a man who condemns their lifestyle to serve as God's inaugural representative.

His voice is valuable. He's valuable. But it I can understand why people are confused and annoyed. It's a weird choice.

-C

[ful_house]

Who do u think should have been chosen?

[c_hartley]

Maybe somebody like Alan Storey. Though a Cecil Williams-type would have been reasonable too.

But let's be honest. They should've picked you and me. ;)

-C