Obama's Choice Of Warren Is Very Disappointing

I am very disappointed by President-elect Barack Obama's decision to honor Reverend Rick Warren with a prominent role in his inauguration.

Religious leaders obviously have every right to speak out in opposition to anti-discrimination measures, even in the degrading terms that Rev. Warren has used with regard to same-sex marriage. But that does not confer upon them the right to a place of honor in the inauguration ceremony of a president whose stated commitment to LGBT rights won him the strong support of the great majority of those who support that cause.

It is irrelevant that Rev. Warren invited Senator Obama to address his congregation, since he extended an equal invitation to Senator McCain. Furthermore, the President-Elect has not simply invited Rev. Warren to give a speech as part of a series in which various views are presented. The selection of a member of the clergy to occupy this uniquely elevated position has always been considered a mark of respect and approval by those who are being inaugurated.

Comments

[Albuqueerque]

What needs to happen now is for there to be a very loud, very vocal shouting-down of Rick Warren when that shameless bigot is giving his phony "prayer" at the inauguration.

Obama has handed us a lemon. Let's make lemonade.

[teachin9]

Why not open up the invocation and invite leaders from several different spiritual traditions? This would be more representative of the movement for change that Barack Obama has inspired.

Michelle Rutman, Molly Rutman, Barbara Matilsky, Jyoti

[klandish]

I seriously disliked Hilary's campaign. I donated and worked for Obama with considerable zeal. But it gauls me to realize Hilary the President would never have created this Rick Warren fiasco. Obama appears glib and non reflective on the subject. I certainly hope this is not a picture of things to come.

[Luvnumber9]

Again this is a 3 to 5 minute opening...Geez. Do you think everyone is happy that he is was elected president...a black man???? 42 million people voted against having a black president...He will not please everyone...there is always crabs in the bucket pulling him down, regardless what decisions he make...what about the pastor that will speak for the benediction??? He isn't against gay rights...NO one is talking about him. I voted for Obama because I believe what this man stands for...not because he pick a pastor I don't agree with...this presidency is much bigger than Rick Warren and I won't let my personal believes get in the way of missing this historical event.

[MarsAmbassador]

Just because someone voted against Obama, doesn't mean they didn't vote for him because he was black. There are ideological ideas in politics that have nothing to do with race, you know...

[JAMES GORMAN]

BRAVO ONE MORE TIME FOR BARNIE---He was right absolute for the bailing out of the billionaires,
and he is right about the gays. It is outrageous for Obama's allies to claim this is just a three minute
prayer---it is the largest innauguration in history and a television audience of every race on the globe--and we get the official "religious moment" as a man dedicated to fundamental condemnations of gays,
lesbians, and any pro-choice people. He equated all gays with pedophiles, and of course sees the
Bible as condemning them---therefore they must be excluded from civil liberty. Established religion
anyone?? Obama is wrong on this one, and has shone a disturbing side that belies everything he
stood for in campaigning for years. Disgusted===James Gorman---gay as in G

[Rightone11]

It is NOT the largest inaguraton in history....try again~

[Luvnumber9]

Again this is a 3 to 5 minute opening...Geez. Do you think everyone is happy that he is was elected president...a black man???? 42 million people voted against having a black president...He will not please everyone...there is always crabs in the bucket pulling him down, regardless what decisions he make...what about the pastor that will speak for the benediction??? He isn't against gay rights...NO one is talking about him. I voted for Obama because I believe what this man stands for...not because he pick a pastor I don't agree with...this presidency is much bigger than Rick Warren and I won't let my personal believes get in the way of missing this historical event.

[Artemis34]

Great comments Rep. Frank. Thank you.

[goodmarina]

I meant to say: God is shamelessly INCLUSIVE : )

[goodmarina]

Thank you, Rep. Frank for doing so. I voted for Obama. I volunteered for Obama. I gave money to Obama -- I am disappointed : (

An 'invocation' is a religious matter. When we pray ... we pray with one voice -- especially, as Christians, we believe that there is one God for ALL.

If Obama's wants to ascribe to the "Team of Rivals" philosophy -- that is fine. But an invocation (or prayer) is not the place to practice one's political philosophy.

Obama had many choises. Let's say Bishop T.D. Jakes (who is not controversial but very conservative) was "too black" (b/c Obama must not be seen as pandering to blacks) ... why not someone who is also very well known and generally liked like Pastor Joel Osteen? I do not understand why someone who is very divisive -- especially with a current hot button issue -- was invited to give the invocation. It detracts from the "prayer" and spiritual nature of asking God to bless Obama's presidency ... b/c he serves EVERYONE.

I am an evangelical Christian and straight. But I vehemently disagree that the voice of the majority should ever have the ability to take away a right of a minority (lifestyle, race, religion, etc..) For goodness sakes, even satan-worshipping religions are a protected class by the Constitution and the Supreme Court has recognized this. So ... why would a man of God that talks about "God's purpose for EVERYONE' be so carelessly divisive?

God is shamelessly

[Collage707]

As a straight, female, senior citizen who supported Obama from the outset, the choice of Rick Warren for such a prominent position at the inauguration made my heart sink. Obama's idea of bringing everyone together is admirable, but Warren's core beliefs (against gays and choice) are not moveable conceptions ('scuze the pun). I still admire Obama, always have, worked hard on his campaign, gave $ I couldn't afford--but I think this was a drastic miscalculation that has scorched gay constituents. Now that the choice has been announced, there's no going back. The only amelioration I can see is for Obama to also have a prominent speaker from the Gay community, possibly Barney Frank himself. Such a move would underline goodmarina's point about disparate viewpoints not necessarily being divisive. If there's going to be a big inaugural tent, invite all viewpoints!

Still (and I know I'll be disparaged for this), I just can't understand why pastors are de rigeur at these events. What ever happened to that Wall of Separation? It simply seems to be taken for granted more and more that religion must be injected into every important political event. I guess it's one of the many rules: you must wear a flag pin, and you must mention God several times and have his representatives present.

[ReHoover51]

u got TV power and congress power and gay power ... so do something ...

[TheProf]

I am more than disappointed. My wife and I, obviously straight, are furious at Obama. We have taken the Obama bumper sticker on our car, which we intended to leave for a long time, and turned it upside down in protest of his inviting of Rick Warren to be his speaker. I suggest everyone who has an Obama sticker turn theirs upside down in protest of this bad judgment by the President Elect. It is an affrontary to all who believe in equal rights. Shame on Barack Obama.

[kladinvt]

WOW! What a great idea. I'll do it, if someone can tell me HOW to get that damn sticker off my car?

[Sparkdog]

I tried to scrape mine off but you can still tell what it said. A stronger message than I
intended, but fine for now.

[FearlessFreep]

It's like flying the national flag upside down as a distress signal!

[Rightone11]

Uh, I do NOT think Obama=National Flag~

[logical4u]

Maybe you should have researched this man before you gave him the power to influence your lives!

[Rightone11]

I agree. maybe if MORE AMERICANS really KNEW Obama, they would NOT have trusted him so willingly. And I blame the very people who voted for him on this one...they were all caught up in the "hope and change" and "yes, we can's", they forgot to LOOK at the real candidate~

Too bad for them, and too bad for America~

[john stevens 26]

And Mr. Obama has every right to pick who ever he wants there to speak or give a prayer at the inauguration. Mr. Frank, why don't you show a little tolerance for other people's views?

And by the way, Mr. Obama and Mr. Warren's views are exactly the same regarding gay marriage; they are both against it.

[FearlessFreep]

So why should the gay movement be any more approving of Obama?

[jade7243]

It is a pity that Rep. Frank's memory is so short. There was a time, when he was first elected, that people were shocked and disappointed that an openly gay man had the temerity to run for Congress. There were invitations to speaking engagements he was not invited to, simply because he was gay. When he became embroiled in a Congressional sex scandal, people blamed him and his homosexuality for all manner of things.

It took tolerance and exposure to Rep. Frank for people to see him as an intelligent, thoughtful man even though they disagreed with his sexual practices.

Rep. Frank and Rev. Warren should both be at the inauguration. They should confront, discuss and disagree with one another.

Finally, this is one person's inauguration: BARACK OBAMA. The rest of us -- including Barney Frank -- are just witnesses to history. Time to sit down, shut up and watch.

[kladinvt]

Yes they are!

[uscitizen]

Finally, this is one person's inauguration: BARACK OBAMA. The rest of us -- including Barney Frank -- are just witnesses to history. Time to sit down, shut up and watch.
-----
This sounds a bit unAmerican to me. If people don't like something Obama does, they have every right to let him know. After all, Americans voted him into power. He didn't get there by himself, and let's not let him forget that. Seems that's what went wrong with the current president. He lost touch with the will of the people.

[JimR]

How presumptuous of you to think you speak for the vast majority of people who supported him. Guess what? You don't.

[FearlessFreep]

This is an election, not a coronation!

[FearlessFreep]

I meant to say: This is an inauguration, not a coronation.

[BBC9nch]

I'm straight and was married twice and divorced twice so I personally think marriage is overrated. I understand the significance of the marriage argument for gays but I would say be careful what you ask for.

[Mrlosangeles]

I agree with you, Mr. Frank - 100% You are an inspiration to all people and especially gay americans.

I am sick and tired of some angry black americans saying gay rights is not a fight for civil rights comparable to their struggle.

I am sick and tired of hearing that gay people have not suffered at the hands of their oppressors. We have been killed, subjugated, denied, raped, mentally scarred, and hated in all societal forms and hypocritical religions expousing "love" as long as people of color have. In fact, we are also people of color.

I am sick and tired of Rick Warren's abominable comparison of my marriage to that of incest or pedophilia. That is not an "opposing point of view" acceptable in an inaugural public figure's litany, as much as expousing that blacks or chinese or jews are equal to the devil is.

I am sick and tired of religious people pushing their misinterpretation of their own religions on me and not understanding the mechanics of "separation of church and state" in our country or respecting that principal.

I am sick and tired of the failure of our school system that has bred so many ignorant and narrow-minded citizens.

And, I am sick of tired of these blog comments, as I will instantly be dismissed probably as only "sick" by some hateful religious fanatic in five minutes or so.

[Collage707]

Totally agree with Mrlosangeles....
Because gays are denied the right of marriage in most states, they feel the heavy weight of unequal, unfair civil rights under the law. However, gays have strong representation and have become a vocal and powerful force. I have confidence that gay marriage will soon become law throughout the country. Thank goodness for Barney Frank. Warren's characterization of gay marriage is simply an ugly projection of some sort which we've been subjected to again and again. But these views will not withstand the forces of fairness and civil rights. Actually, there is another group of citizens who are even more maligned than gays, and who have almost no representation and who, for comfort's sake, must remain mostly closeted. These are the thousands of good and patriotic Americans who just cannot bring themselves to accept the illogical and highly disputed (even amont major American religions)--God story. We Americans have triumphed in finally electing an African American president, and a good one at that (despite this lapse over Rick Warren)-- but it seems there is absolutely no chance that a non-believer will ever be elected to the presidency. There most likely will never be room at the Inn for our atheist fellow Americans. And, believe me, there are more of us than you can possibly know. Again, what ever happened to that "Wall of Separation"?

[LesserFool2]

I see this as something a little more than the role at the inauguration.

Obama knows that it is far more difficult to demonize and scapegoat people you don't know.

By inviting Warren, it will present opportunities to persuade a segment of the population that would other hide in their pews as they cast cruel judgment on people they don't know or understand.