Invocation

It's of no interest to me whether Rick Warren appears as an empathetic or warmhearted man. What matters is what comes out of his mouth. What he preaches, what he and his church stand for.

If our new president is truly devoted to change, he will separate, once and for all, the sloppy, congealed mess that is Church and State. He will allow us to shed unsolicited religious ideology which suffocates us like a dirty, wet t-shirt.

Both Gene Robinson and Rick Warren symbolize universal aspirations: that of equality and acceptance, and that of faith-based service to the poor, the sick and the disenfranchised.

Through this visible Inaugural platform, President-elect Obama and Dr. Rick Warren have opportunity together to move beyond sectarian interest to national interest.

In a heated debate about the twisted pretzel of the Obama-Warren-Robinson controversy, my roommate, Cindy Abel, said: "Eugene Robinson is a crumb from the master's table."

Frank Lambert's Religion in American Politics is a perfect starting point for understanding just how deep the tradition of liberal religious activism runs.

The sage Todd Gitlin urges us to voice our complaint and move on. But moving on doesn't move me. I want my transcendent moment. First, it seems, I'll have to transcend my damn self.

While I understand the anger from the gay-rights community over the Warren issue, I myself am waiting to see some solid results from Obama before judging him.

Obama would move on -- he'd refuse to be distracted. He'd brush the dirt off his shoulder and immediately return his focus to winning.

Rick Warren, what you are doing by turning to attack your critics as "Christophobes," is manipulating the core message.

While Saddleback Church removed several entries from its website, a not-so-gay-friendly manifesto is back up. This wasn't a removal of homophobia, but revisionism for PR purposes.

In 2006, Rick Warren publicly lionized (literally) Peter Akinola three months after the Archbishop had endorsed legislation more draconian than comparable anti-gay statutes passed prior to World War II under the Third Reich.

This isn't necessarily another angry take on Rick Warren. This is about fighting back in the age of Obama.

Obama can call the placing of a hate monger like Rick Warren on the world dais political healing or inclusiveness or any other nicety he'd like, but I call it pandering to the lowest instinct of the worst kind of politics.

The gay marriage issue has intruded so profoundly on gay politics that I am told I should protest the inauguration of Obama, because he invited a minister to say a prayer whose main priorities are climate change, poverty, and AIDS.

If there is a rational argument against gay marriage, I have yet to see it. And this is why Obama's invitation to Warren might just work. A major limitation to progressive thinking is our over-reliance on rational debate.

Remember, it's not about swaying our hard-lined opponents, it's about talking to those in the middle. That is done with composure and, more importantly, respect.

Originally appeared on RHRealityCheck.org - Information, commentary and community for reproductive health and rights. I pray. Everyday. Sometimes se...

With the magnitude of the recent media attention, you'd think Rick Warren had been chosen for a Cabinet post, rather than a small segment of a one-day affair.

Obama's version of the game has always been bridge building. He's completely serious about reaching out, transcending red and blue, and etc. But this is a bridge too far.

I'm not defending Rick Warren. But if the worst thing that happens during the Obama presidency is that he lets a hate-mongering idiot speak at his inauguration I'll be ecstatic.

Why does Obama have Rick Warren delivering the invocation? Politics, naturally. It's a way to keep slicing off some of what has traditionally been a Republican vote.