Rick Warren Lauds Obama Choice Of Openly-Gay Pastor For Inaugural Prayer

Pastor Rick Warren, demonstrating his recently discovered and ever-increasing political savvy, has issued a statement lauding President-elect Obama's choice of openly-gay Pastor Eugene Robinson for the Sunday night Inaugural kickoff prayer. From the statement, issued to Christianity Today:

"President-elect Obama has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground...I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen."

Obama announced Warren's role in the Inauguration in December of last year, and there has since been relentless criticism from various gay-rights groups and others, due to the conservative pastor's anti-gay actions and statements.

Warren has gone to great lengths to make his inaugural appearance more politically palatable to such critics by obscuring any signs of homophobia -- for example, by removing from the Saddleback Church website the statement, "someone unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle would not be welcome at Saddleback." But such efforts have failed, at least in the eyes of his critics, to recreate the man as the bastion of tolerance and acceptance that he now claims to be.

Indeed, just this month David Brody of the Christian Broadcast Network dredged up a skeleton Warren perhaps missed: a video from the Saddleback "News and Views" video site wherein Warren describes same-sex marriage as a "humanitarian crisis".

Notably, his detractors include his fellow inaugural participant, Pastor Robinson. As Robinson told Beliefnet:

" He's done some good things. The difficult thing is that he's said, and continues to affirm, some horrendous things about homosexuality -- comparing it to incest, bestiality, that kind of thing. This is not a choice that really represents everyone. This choice was just really, really unfortunate.

...

It's about this particular venue and the role that he has in praying for all of America, and I'm just not sure he'd pray to God the same way I would."

Warren, presumably playing it safe, is no longer accepting interview requests, as reported by the New York Times Thursday. However, in his Beliefnet interview, Robinson expressed a desire to sit down with Warren and engage him on issues, making Warren's statement a likely welcome overture.

Comments

[LynnW49]

Rick Warren, just go away.

[GerryS]

rick's facial hair is hiding some ugly strech marks------

[johnnyjust]

Gay pastor?

Why bother? Renounce any faith you might have had and start your own church. Then write your own bible. At least then you wouldn't be such a hypocrite.

[tr24]

co-signing

[GerryS]

and you get tax exempt status with your church staus.

great idea.

[dryrock]

Rev. Robinson has been the duly elected Bishop of the Episcopalian Church in New Hampshire for nearly 6 years, after having served 18 years as assistant Bishop - not a "pastor" of some storefront assembly. Take up your beef with the Episcopalian Church in New Hampshire.

[MathIsTruth]

Your "hypocrite" remark suggests that all sects of all religions are anti-gay. That's just simply false. One can easily be quite supportive of gays and be religious.

In fact, hypocracy is a religion which claims to subscribe to a "do unto others" philosophy, but is not enthusiastically pro-gay.

[beringer37]

Hear hear!

[frvd]

Why can't you make the change in the story to accurately reflect that Gene Robinson is not a pastor but the Bishop of New Hampshire of the Episcopal Church? This looks like sloppy journalism.

[sparkandy]

For sure. 'Pastor' sounds like some guy that just starts his own church. Rev Robinson is a bishop, for goodness sake, in a denomination that's been around forever.

[Merdebush]

From The Daily Beast: Team Obama likes to cite Warren’s work on AIDS in Africa to combat criticism about the controversial pastor. But how does burning condoms in the name of Jesus save lives?

Warren’s man in Uganda is a charismatic pastor named Martin Ssempa. The head of the Makerere Community Church is known for his boisterous crusading. His’s stunts have included burning condoms in the name of Jesus and arranging the publication of names of homosexuals in cooperative local newspapers while lobbying for criminal penalties to imprison them.

Read it all about it at: http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-01-07/the-truth-about-rick-warren-in-africa

[klandish]

Making lists of Homosexuals in African Communities and burning condoms publicly. Sounds like typical "Christian" missionary work overseas to me.

[johnnyjust]

Sounds like more fictionalized baloney from liberals to me.

[kylennblack]

Outing by publishing names in the newspapers in communities where doing so could be a very real a death sentence for the victim. That's appalling and brutal. Didn't we see enough of that in central Europe 70 years ago? Have they learned nothing?

[4 Real]

As a gay person, I was disappointed with Obama's RW pick but shining the spotlight on him seems to have done more damage than good to his image. Just like Bush, his supporters will always defend him no matter what foolish things they do, but I think a lot of people have lost respect for the guy after hearing more about him and his ministry. His gay slurs and suspect AIDS work in Africa (pushing abstinence only programs in order to get aid) makes him appear less than noble. Most people would not even be aware of this if he hadn't been asked. So whether planned or not, it may end up being a good thing.

[mm29464]

excellent points. i had come to the same conclusion myself realizing that the more that the public knows about what rick warren really believes and his real record beyond the pr about him being a new kind of fundamentalist, the worse for warren. sometimes things really do work together for good.

[kylennblack]

I'm still deeply offended by Warren's participation at any level and won't be watching that part of the inauguration but I really hope you're right. I hope this ultimately leads to Warren's name being added to Bull Connor's and George Wallace's in the Wrong Side of History column.

[MathIsTruth]

Prior to this, the world was divided between people who have heard of Warren and those who haven't.

Among those who had heard of him, there were those who supported Warren, and those who Warren didn't care about.

As you said, all those supporters now still support him. Also, now a lot more people have heard of him.

From that new group of people, Warren has new supporters. There are also new people who don't like him, but he doesn't care about those people.

So you may take comfort in the increased number of people who dislike Warren. I dislike the fact that he has grown his base.

[4 Real]

While I agree it's a bummer he may have picked up more followers, those people are a lost cause anyway whether they follow RW or some other preacher. I'd like to look at it from a glass half-full perspective and hope that reasonable people can see for themselves the intolerant rhetoric coming from a so called progressive evangelical.

When I first heard about RW, all I knew from the MSM was he was a gentle, kind, charitable guy who broke from the Dobson crowd. I thought, alright, finally the old preachers are a dying out and the younger ones were more open. Wrong! After the Obama pick, that's when I learned about a whole other side of RW and his ministry.

So while I see your point, I still think more people will turn against the guy. He stopped doing interviews because of the negative publicity which certainly is a sign of a backlash.

[ZenCrusader]

Warren needs to be exorcised of his homophobic demon.

[klandish]

Warren is full of ...

[SmokinJoeCalculus]

what a time to be naive!!

[fireW]

Sure, let's pretend Warren and the Brokeback Church are enthusiastic about dropping their bigotry agenda for even a single day or event. Right . . . .

[JimR]

Nobody is claiming that or saying that. He believes what he believes about gay marriage. Others believe what they believe. But on this one day, we are all going to put that aside to celebrate the inauguration of a new president. That's all.

[klandish]

If Warren had been allowed to give a prayer after Gay Marriage passed in every State in the Union Gay people wouldn't care as much. Given the state of Gay Civil Rights in this Country - this is a slap in the face.

[littlepuffycloud]

Go have another donut Rick.

[SmokinJoeCalculus]

guffaw

[kylennblack]

Hee! Let's fill up them arteries. Maybe he'll pull a Jim Fixx before Tuesday.

[M1]

Warren's body is God's temple.

[kylennblack]

Warren's body is god's Chic-Fil-A.

[lookingAhead]

I have purpose for you book drive it up you arse. You are a bigot and and hid behind your religion like all the other hypocrites. As I watch the inauguration I hope 90% or better turn their backs on you, you deserve no better.
I'm looking forward for true separation of church and state......

[Indie2008]

-and what would you call Warren's supporters if they turned their back on Robinson? Haters? Bigots?_ I think the purpose of the day is not to exclude large groups of people or change minds, but to promote tolerance. Warren's statement seems to be at least a step in that direction. I cannot discern his heart, but who is able to do that?

[kylennblack]

Considering his track record it's highly probable he's lying through his teeth.

[omo]

Language like yours makes me actually feel rather good to be labeled homophobic. What an ugly and gross expression. Are you sure your brain hasn't been damaged by sexual conditioning ?

Maybe I am a hypocrite but let me assure you I am NOT HIDING behind any religion whatsoever.
And after reading all this I'm about to decide that 'gay' is a religion. Although it wouldn't be polite to discuss what is actually being worshipped . . .

[klandish]

It takes one blog to rile you to homophobic status. Why do you care how Gay people feel about their rights. You seem scared ... maybe you should be.

[islanbatman]

OB said he was going to be the president of all the people. How can you advocate for the exclusion of RW. Yes, he has some views about Gays that are not helpful to put it lightly (but not to demean), he's still an American an he will be surrounded by alot of people who whole heartily disagree with some of his positions. Inclusion is what gays are fighting for is it not.

We must talk to our enemies, remember.

[TILL]

Would this not be a way of bringing people of opposite viewpoints with the concept "agreeing to get along", but sharing different ideas about "gayness". This is a sure way to at least to get people of different persuasions, maybe, and I say maybe, to lessen the animosity and the political use of hatred.

[LMPE]

Does Rick Warren seek to "convert" Gene Robinson or something?

[springsm]

My thoughts also. I wonder if he expects hoards of g/l/b/t to flock to his saddle back church and "repent". I also don't give a rat's patooty what rick warren thinks. Phoney is as phoney does.

[Halsey]

I've said this before..I'll keep saying it...giving the Invocation...will change RICK WARREN..NOT Barak Obama....and this is a good thing...pl­ease..reme­mber George Wallace's late in life redemption for his acts of hatred while governor... Rick is no Wallace...(don't think he'd hang a homosexual)...but I trualy believe Rick voted FOR Obama..and knew he was going to after the forum with Mcwho and Obama...

Gays deserves every right and respect...and I know you are tired of waiting..but..hang in there...allow change to COME....you don't have to Embrace Warren.but know this..he's not as nutso as many members of his mega-church (I've been there...and enjoy Rick...but get creeped out by the congregation).... Let Rick Change...give him a chance...he cannot do it overnight....but it's coming...I promise...

[MathIsTruth]

Pop math quiz:

If we convert one homophobe with each presidential inauguration, how long will it take to fix the overall homophobe problem?

[klandish]

Warren actively worked against Obama. They only had that forum together.

[XME]

Maybe I don't get it, but I'm a little perplexed by those who are so upset about Warren speaking on the 20th. I don't agree with his views, but I voted for Obama in large part BECAUSE he treated people he didn't agree with with repsect and DECENCY...unlike Bush who basically mocked the left.

Can anyone here imagine GWB having a dinner to honor Gore after Gore lost the election? Even after the way McCain behaved during the election, Obama will do that for him.

Can anyone imagine Bush going to dinner at Keith Olbermann's house, with Rachel Maddow, Arianna, etc., and treating them with respect, and like there OPINIONS are valid, even if he disagreed.

I'm guess I'm disappointed that many Dems can't seem to practice what they preach. I very much respect Obama for his attitude towards people who don't agree with his views. Maybe if Bush could have made the efforts Obama is ALREADY making, American would be in a MUCH better position today than the one he's leaving us in.

[springsm]

Oh blah blah blah. You know something..all three of the above mentioned folks have social skills and yes, they would be polite, may choke, but they would be polite. Your friend Warren is a slick politico. He does nothing of this for God or whatever, he does it for money. Agree or not.

[JimR]

He donates about 90% of that money to the church's charity, fighting poverty, AIDS and illiteracy.

[Summer71]

I agree. Being willing to listen to views you don't agree with is a strength not a weakness. It's something a President, and more citizens, should be able to do.

[klandish]

Would Obama meet with a Segregationist (yes, there are still some). Maybe he would. But would he allow him to conduct a speech or prayer at a huge Public Function. Absolutely not.

[kylennblack]

When he meets with the people who called him a terrorist or think he was born in Kenya/Indo­nesia/Plut­o then we'll talk.

[MaryK2924]

Agreed.