Progressive groups are decrying the choice of Rick Warren to deliver the Invocation at the Presidential Inauguration as "disappointing" -- but it is far more than that. It is an act of spiritual violence against lesbian and gay American citizens and a profound betrayal of the philosophy of inclusion and unity espoused by President-elect Obama.
"The Presidential Inaugural Committee, at the direction of President-elect Obama...will organize an inclusive and accessible inauguration that...unites the nation around our shared values and ideals."
Shared values and ideals? Let's let Rick Warren speak for himself.
Here's Rick Warren equating marriage equality for same-sex couples with incest and pedophilia:
"The issue to me, I'm not opposed to that as much as I'm opposed to redefinition of a 5,000 year definition of marriage. I'm opposed to having a brother and sister being together and calling that marriage. I'm opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that marriage. I'm opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage."
Of course, the Judeo-Christian definition of marriage that Warren refers to in the first part of this quote were essentially property contracts that did involve "one guy having multiple wives" - but that's beside the point of this piece.
Here's Rick Warren going even further and using the statistical lack of support by black Californian's for marriage equality to justify his opinion that the rights of lesbian and gay citizens do not constitute civil rights:
"...this debate is not really about civil rights, but a desire for approval. The fact that 70% of blacks supported Prop 8 shows they don't believe it is a civil rights issue. Gays in California already have their rights."
The California Supreme Court saw the situation differently, but, in Warren's view, the definition of the civil rights of minorities is open to definition by majority public opinion.
Here's Rick Warren talking - in 2004 - about how HIV/AIDS was not an issue of concern for him until recently:
"Two years ago HIV/AIDS was not on my agenda; it was not even a blip on my radar." [emphasis added]
The deaths of more than 500,000 American citizens -- the vast majority of whom were men who had sex with men -- simply didn't register on Warren's radar over the course of more than two decades. The disease finally and rightly became a cause of concern for Warren and the Christians to whom he speaks when his wife brought to his attention the plight of children in Africa orphaned by the pandemic.
Same-sex relationships equal incestuous and pedophiliac abuses. Equal protection under the law for lesbian and gay American citizens isn't the same thing as civil rights. The lives and deaths of gay men less important than those of children or orphans.
The sad reality is that American gay men and lesbians have heard it all before.
But we didn't expect to have such values and ideals validated by this President-elect at this Inauguration.
Warren's stated beliefs make it clear that -- when he invokes God at the Inauguration -- it is not the inclusive and all-loving God who is recognized and worshiped by lesbian and gay men of faith in this country. With an entire world of spiritual leaders at his beck and call for this historic event, Obama can and should do better. The message for American gay men and lesbians in the choice of Rick Warren is that -- once again -- "everyone" means everyone but us.
Cheers to CT and MA, and Ms Renna.
Shame on CA and Mr. Obama, and his handlers.
Cheers, Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace, Washington CT 06793 USA
http://www.justicesofthepeace.blogspot.com
(I voted for Ralph Nader.)
Everyday, Christians hear your cry for diversity; for acceptance of your beliefs. But how can you believe in tolerance not support our future President because of one choice during his inauguration? This is what bothers me about the gay and lesbian community: you constantly complain that Christians are closed-minded and intolerant, and yet you are unwilling to understand different points of view yourself. Rick Warren is NOT hateful, nor is he a bigot. In fact, ever since I began attending Saddleback, he and his wife have done nothing but immerse themselves in endeavors that support AIDs, diversity, and civility among every nation around the world. Actually, you have no idea how much our church has studied, contributed funds and mission trips, and even spent entire series learning about how we can help others who are suffering from HIV/AIDs. Kay Warren, Rick's wife, even has a book, "Dangerous Surrender", solely dedicated to her complete life’s passion on the issue. We’ve loved you and your community (despite having differences…what a concept!) so much, and yet you can’t look past simple religious differences to see it! Take a few seconds to listen to what someone like Rick has to say before you decide what a horrible person he is. http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentid=1723
I am SO PROUD of Obama and his efforts to show his acceptance of other's beliefs. We CAN be unified without being in uniformity; and this I understand and appreciate completely.
Black people won their civil rights by peacefully means; not by demonizing the opposition. These insulting actions will cause gays to lose support. Is that what you really want?
The pope doesn't agree with gay marriage...So if Obama got the pope, it would be equally as wrong, correct?
Just making sure...
The only thing that might make people understand, I guess is an analogy. If a newly elected white Democrat who ran on "change" had chosen a member of the KKK who had compared blacks to child abusers or rapists or something to give the opening prayer at inauguration, nobody on this board would imagine even for a second that blacks should calm down and "get a hold of themselves", since the pres-elect doesn't agree with him on everything, but needs to reach across the aisle to include the whole spectrum -- including racists.
It is the same damn thing! It is so frustrating to see how many people across the political spectrum just don't get it. It hurts.
If Obama cares about the rights of gays, then there is no justification for Rick Warren. Even though he's just making a speech, it's offensive to a large group of people who mostly voted for Obama. Just as the KKK is offensive to blacks, etc etc.
If January 20th is a day embodying progression and change, then all areas should be represented, not just the racial differences we are overcoming.
I'm sure Obama will be an amazing president and I see what he is trying to do in terms on indluding everyone.... but the 20th is a day of victory for the left and I'm sure many in the gay community were looking forward to being able to watch the ceremony with hope that discrimination towards their group would diminish with his presidency.
It's one thing to work with the right on issues that benefit the whole, but to me the whole gay/stemcell/abortion issue is a breach of human rights and should not be part of such a momentus occasion.
The person selected to deliver the Invocation has the honor of serving as the spiritual representative for the entire nation. The person is charged with the responsibility of calling upon God for God’s assistance on all of our behalf.
From a spiritual perspective, Rick Warren does not believe that lesbian and gay people exist. According to his statements, he views lesbian and gay American citizens as people who choose to engage in sinful sexually disordered behavior and equates our marital relationships with the soul-damaging abuses of incest and pedophilia. Simply put, he does not recognize any of us as having spiritual integrity and completely discounts the existence millions of lesbian and gay Americans of faith.
If he were someone who espoused a belief that Muslims and Jewish people were unbelievers or infidels (as some Christian fundamentalist preachers do), then he would not have been selected for this honor.
It's that simple.
I refer you to my follow up post for more on this subject:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leah-mcelrath-renna/dear-obama-heres-why-you_b_152150.html
As an aside: how many of the LGBT community really care about a spiritual invocation? Most progressives in general probably don't care much about this part of the ceremony and again, as L3ftofC3nter said it's "a smart move, representing the transition form the old to the new"...
And, of course it matters. If it didn't, we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Change takes place on two primary fronts: legislative and cultural. Symbolic images such as who leads the Invocation are important aspects of cultural representation and potential agents of cultural change.
Emotions and expectations are higher around this Inauguration - for the same reason that they were higher around this primary season: the symbolism of the representation of disenfranchised minorities. Our culture has shifted since Bill Clinton chose Billy Graham - the choice for the Invocation speaker should reflect that shift.
Why should gays have the right to marry? A great book about it is The Marrying Kind by Heather Conrad. The Midwest Book review called it "...entertaining, humorous and heartbreaking...a riveting novel from first page to last." Kirkus says: "...sweet moments and solid set pieces... A sometimes irreverent, sometimes poignant story of growing apart, growing together and growing up." Yes, growing up--which means respecting ALL people when you say you're going to.
NO SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP GETS TO MAKE OBAMA'S DECISIONS FOR HIM! Not you. Not others. THAT is the CHANGE we NEED! Obama appears both highly intelligent and very pragmatic and seeking to be inclusive. Every American should be praying he can pull this off!!! EVERY one!
How is asking for equal rights the same as asking for "special" rights? You sound like the white supremacists who think that minorities asking for equal rights is akin to "special rights."
"You have rights as an American!"
No, they don't. They don't have the right to marry, which is a right that all straight Americans have.
"I will die fighting to protect them, and to protect you from bigots."
Bigots want to prevent gay people from marrying, yet you agree with those bigots...so, no, you wouldn't die to protect those rights.
"But I'm SICK of having your lifestyle thrown in my face and rammed down my throat as if you were some SPECIAL American who deserved SPECIAL treatment!"
Again, equal rights does not mean special rights.
I'm not but I find Warren's postition on the issue disturbing, as I do with stem cells and abortion.
If he cared so much about AIDS he could have spent the money he raised to take away the rights of a group of people who were only guilty of love. What a freaking waste of money and effort when there are so many in need.
Let's face it - did gays getting married in California really hurt anyone? Did it ruin anyone's life? Did it ruin wedding days for all straight couples in the vicinity?
But when Prop 8 passed - people were hurt and hope was destroyed. For what? Did it do the world any good? Did it stop the recession? Did it make anyone's life better?
I think what the OP is lacking is empathy - think of your loved ones and imagine how you would feel if someone compared your love to Paedophilia and Incest. And that is exactly what Rick Warren did to the gay community.
The fact that my extended family were filled with fun loving and creative gay men is important to me. My experience is not unique and is shared by millions of Americans, including families who lost sons to a disease, not to sex as most ignorant people believe.
Honoring someone like Rick Warren is dishonoring all these millions of hardworking American people who daily are challenged to put their real life losses behind them.
I call on Obama to stop pandering to the ignorance among us and find someone who can invoke our better angels.