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The Spectacle Blog
Surprise! Purpose-driven mega-church pastor Rick Warren is giving the invocation at Obama’s inauguration.
Says the CBN blog:
It makes a whole lot of sense. Even though Warren and Obama disagree on the life issue, they do see eye to eye on many social justice issues. This move is also classic Obama because it is a signal to religious conservatives that he’s willing to bring in both sides to the faith discussion in this country. Obama has never shied away from that.
Even though they disagree on the life issue? Um. Kind of a big deal. For a conservative. And for a pastor. I would think.
Holding a forum forcing Obama to discuss his views is one thing. Supporting him publicly by praying/speaking at his inauguration is another. Frankly, this is a spineless move on Warren’s part and a so-so move on Obama’s. Unfortunately for the latter, it will be effective for many ‘religious conservatives’ who love the “Purpose-Driven” series though it will succeed in irking others.
View all comments (16) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Nicole Russell
http://spectator.org/blog/2008/12/17/purpose-driven-inauguration
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Alberto Hurtado | 12.17.08 @ 3:13PM
Ms. Russell, your point is very short-sided. Warren is coming to give the invocation at the inauguration, a "sacred" ceremony in our civic religion that celebrates the peaceful transition of power. Yes, Obama's views on abortion are repugnant, but his inauguration still represents an essential moment in our constitutional Republic that should be celebrated with prayer, especially when the public official is clearly in need of it. I see Warren's participation as sanctioning and celebrating our constitutional order, not Obama's pro-choice views.
Jon Wilson| 12.17.08 @ 5:23PM
Alberto,
Last time I checked, the United States didn't have a "civic religion".
Sure, the presidential inauguration represents the peaceful transition of power; but why voluntarily participate in the transition if you have major moral disagreements with those who are coming to power? The bible says to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but it doesn't say that a Christian should offer validity to a presidential administration that supports wholesale murder of the unborn.
The way your post reads, conservative Christian pastors should have lined up to offer a prayer when any number of evil me have come to power under the name of peace. Heck the Antichrist is supposed to bring peace, should Warren say a prayer at his swearing in ceremony?
Now, just to be clear, I don’t think Obama is evil, it is just an analogy.
Talk about short-sited.
I will be on the bandwagon praying for our Republic.
WendyG| 12.17.08 @ 6:36PM
>>>Even though they disagree on the life issue? Um. Kind of a big deal. For a conservative. And for a pastor.
Not for the sort who craves publicity - and the money that it usually generates.
KS| 12.17.08 @ 7:49PM
Also, Rick Warren supported Proposition 8; Obama-Biden opposed it. I wonder if Franklin Graham would have agreed to give the invocation.
WendyG| 12.17.08 @ 8:51PM
KS - apparently gay groups are furious about this. Let's see if Obama has the spine to stick with his choice.
Loadmaster| 12.18.08 @ 5:59AM
I would have hope that Rick wouldn't have agreed to this. Some things are not worth given into. Either you believe or NOT. One our biggest problems is we sometime but our believes to the side and try to be "liked" by everyone. I think NOT!!!!
And Franklin would not do this event. The days of a Graham in the WH has come and went.
Pecos Pete| 12.18.08 @ 6:42AM
I'm no fan of Obama, however asking Warren to give the invocation at the inauguration is reasonable. Almost half of the voters did not vote for Obama and to some degree Warren represents those who did not vote for Obama. As for Warren, it seems like a perfect opportunity to offer God's word to the world.
Imagine, if you will, had the invocation been given by Rev. Wright?
Michael Dooley| 12.18.08 @ 9:50AM
1.)As a matter of law, American doesn't have a "civil religion". But as a matter of anthropology it most certainly does and has from the very begining.
2.) I don't particularly hold brief for Rick Warren. I have read his book and while others love his approach to the Christian life I would not recommend it or the succeeding books. Still, St. Paul clearly says we are to honor those set in authority over us. If I were so chosen to give the invocation, I would do it in respect for the office and for the honor of our country.
Dean | 12.18.08 @ 11:22AM
Since so many Conservatives didn't watch the election returns, including myself "I didn't want create a memory", perhaps, Barack wants Rev Warren to get many of us to watch his swearing-in.
I shan't be watching.
There is a civic religion in US. The best decription of it was provided in the German novel, "Neverending Story:". Too many of us are lost in the Nothingness of life.
H. Klein| 12.18.08 @ 3:32PM
If Obama could separate himself from show business symbolism long enough to really reflect on his inaugural, he might consider displaying some real guts and endearing himselfs to the tens of million of us who believe him to be a lucky lightweight.
Here is what he should announce:
My fellow Americans:
This is a dark, desperate time for our contry when the financial crisis in which we are gripped clearly won't go away soon or easily.
Presidential leadership rises not from oratory alone but action. Therefore in consideration of the crisis and the somber, no nonsense, let's get to work approach to digging ourselves out, I have
made the following decisions:
1, There will be no expensive, pompus, overstuffed gushy media extravaganza of an Inaugural. Chris Mathews might consider a mistress to send chills up his spine on Jan. 20th. Instead I will be sworn in at the Oval Office. I will make my speech from my desk to the television audience.
2. The fact that the Inaugural Balls are financed by private funds is a fig leaf. Nobody gives $50,000 for nothing. I am ordering all balls
cancelled and the money diverted to appropriate charities now hard pressed by a precipitous drop in private donations.
3. I am ordering all celebrities to stay home and divert the money they spend to gush in front of the cameras about the :"historic" Obama elections to appropriate charities.
4. There will be a post Inaugural lunch of veggies, fiberous cous cous, whole wheat pasta,
and carrot juice.
5. By two I promise to be at my desk, sleeves rolled up, tackling the first order of business
which is dislodging your money from the hoarding banks, holding the feet of the UAW to the fire so we can get the auto bailout done, and
put shovels in the hands unemployed terminal watchers who never shovled anything but bs
to confused callers all their lives.
Now please, let me get back to work. To everyone who voted for me, thanks' to everyone who worked on my behalf thanks, to all the lobbyists and corporate fat cats who'd planned to preen at my Inauguration I have two orders:
Get out and Stay out.
Yours truly Barak Obama
Oboegal| 12.18.08 @ 6:44PM
Does anyone else recall the "that's above my pay grade?" Warren is as media hungry as Obama.
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