Obama's taking a lot of heat from the liberal wing of the Democratic party and many gay groups for selecting Rick Warren to pray at his invocation. (Warren isn't exactly bff's with the gays.)
In the long-term, I think it's a smart move on Obama's part.
Spiritually, this prayer is just a show, doesn't mean anything, and frankly I'm not sure God is evening listening.
However, from a political standpoint, selecting Rick Warren continues to margenalize James Dobson and the Focus on the Family section of the Evangelical movement. So, in that sense I like the choice. It helps continue to move Evangelicals to a more progressive platform, and I think long-term that's helpful for Obama.
But what do you all think? Does it even matter?
You know, I think it does matter. In the respect that the portion of the evangelical movement that threw themselves to the Rebubilican party just got shut out. I think it’s great. Rick has refused to publically take political sides with respect to parties or candidates. Maybe James Dobson will learn from him and go back to actually focusing on the family. I had always respected his ministry before they became political. And I would respect it again if he reverted back to that policy.
Damn Cat, you beat me to the punch. I was just about to post this article “Obama defends choice of evangelical pastor” I found on yahoo news this morning.
Although I really can’t stand Rick Warren because of his money grubbing, get me in the spotlight ways, it is cool to see Obama reach out to both sides. He’s gotten a lot of flack from the left for choosing so many centrists for his cabinet and being slow to act on the liberal agenda and he’s gotten a lot of flack from the right for his positions on gay marriage and abortion. All the reason for me to like him even more (as I can’t stand either party these days).
As a liberal, gay, Christian, Democrat, I am displeased with Obama’s decision to give Rick Warren such a prominent position in the inauguation. The Warren pick is a kick in the stomach to gay rights advocates and religious liberals who were some of his earliest supporters.
But I agree with you, catalyst. I think Obama’s Warren pick is an attempt to promote a new kind of politically-active conservative evangelical and temper the Right-wing backlash to his presidency. Instead of gays/abortion/taxes, it would be great if religious conservatives focused on real moral issues like poverty/social services/healthcare/criminal rehabilitation/environment/etc.
I have a ton of respect for Warren, and have worked/lived closely with some of his staff who have attested to his character. I think Obama made a great pick.
Warren’s words on the homosexual community / the homosexual community’s opinion of Warren is unfortunate… but you can’t please everyone. There’s still mending to be done.
I think he made a shrewd political decision. He wants to keep as many groups happy as possible in order to get his programs through the legislative process. The religious right is a large group. The gay activist community a small group.
I am a bit suprised at how shrill the outcry has been from the gay activists, it makes them seem pretty self centered. I mean how many problems do we have in the big picture right now? Is gay rights even on the radar screen for most people? I think it could backfire on them.
I would agree with the above post. He sounds like a shrewd politician. I think more Americans are tired of political parties. Obama’s campaign strategy was to go after the moderates, independent voters or middle-of-the-fence. Bottomline, politics is politics. In order to keep the most votes and have good approval you should be able to keep as many groups happy.
Every group will always find something to be outraged about.
Reformer said ” really can’t stand Rick Warren because of his money grubbing, get me in the spotlight ways”
Money Grubbing? I thought Warren was the guy that once started having an income from his book, he worked as a pastor for free and paid back all that they had paid him? Am I thinking of the wrong guy?
Sola Fide said “Maybe James Dobson will learn from him and go back to actually focusing on the family. I had always respected his ministry before they became political. And I would respect it again if he reverted back to that policy.”
Since Dobson’s “focus” on the family includes male dominated, child beating, spirit breaking tactics, I would like to see him just retire and just call it a day altogether.
I stopped “respecting” his ministry after having kids of my own and saw that much of his teaching is WRONG, and possibly even criminal!
Where’s Belteshizzle been hiding? This is just the sort of post he’d normally
pontificatechime in on.Maybe he’s out giving Dave a hand on that tithing book.
That, or the Secret Rapture has taken place and we’re all Left Behind to go through the Tribulation with pope, cat and ‘scrupe.
-joe
P.S. Anybody seen anna lately?
You could do worse, Joe.
‘The Father spoke
The demon’s dined
The Son has come
And you’ve been left behind’
I can even hear the tune of that song!
But I’m still here — haven’t heard any trumpets yet!
OK…I take it all back Mr. Warren. Sorry for wrongly judging you.
From the article: The pulpit and the presidency
This article shows hows Pastor Warren can seem to talk out of both sides of his mouth at the same time.
On the one hand, we read that according to Warren:
Way to go, Rick. Good stuff. Continuing, the article states:
as well as:
Absolutely. Undeniably. And lastly, we read of Warren:
All this kind of talk makes him sound quite conservative, even fundamental. Jerry Falwell would be proud.
But then he’ll say something that is totally out of not only left field (pun intended), but which also sounds very un-biblical.
Question: Does anyone (himself included) really know where he stands on anything?
-joe
Oops…..here’s the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090119/us_time/08599187245300