In Defense of Rick Warren

Barack Obama's decision to have Rick Warren deliver the inaugural invocation, will no doubt frustrate or infuriate many Obama supporters.

In a recent interview with Beliefnet and the Wall Street Journal, Warren equated gay marriage to incest, pedophilia and polygamy and repeated the inaccurate charge that without Prop 8, conservative preachers could be prosecuted for hate crimes. He described "social gospel" Christians of the 20th century has closet Marxists.

But I respect Warren and believe he has earned his status at the top of the evangelical heap. Obama was wise to ask him to deliver the invocation at the inauguration.

First, Warren has used his fame and fortune primarily to help the most destitute people in the world. He reverse tithes, giving away 90% and keeping 10%. Please contemplate all the religious figures who have gotten rich off their flock and pocketed the money. Who among you reverse tithe or would if you were rich? I know I don't, and every time I think about what Warren has done it makes me question whether I'm giving enough. That is a Christ-like example.

Second, he's worked hard to get other conservative evangelicals to care more about poverty. Some on the left had hopes that Warren would somehow move evangelicals to the left on social issues. They were confusing temperamental with political moderation. Just because Warren is a nice guy, greets you with a hug, used to wear Hawaiian shirts, and cares about the poor, doesn't mean he's a political liberal or even moderate. He's not. But it's in part because he's conservative on everything else that his views on poverty carry such weight in the evangelical community.

Third, he has voiced his own spiritual doubts. This is hugely important. So many religious leaders view expressions of doubt as signs of weakness at best and heresy at worst. By admitting his own doubts, and explaining how he worked through them, Warren gives permission to the rest of us to have an intellectually honest spiritual journey.

Finally, he's mostly about God. Yes, he says things that are controversial and, I believe, is sometimes ill-informed and insensitive. But The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose of Christmas barely mention the hot-botton culture war issues. He has his views on those issues but really believes that getting right with God is most important thing.

For Obama, picking Warren for the inauguration is a smart move. George W. Bush chose Franklin Graham, a hard-right evangelical to do his prayer. Instead of retaliating by choosing a liberal preacher, Obama opted for spiritual bipartisanship. The move helps to depoliticize prayer -- which, of course, is very politically shrewd.

Click here for the full transcript of the Warren interview
Click here for video of the interview

Comments

[SUIGENEROUSLA]

"Repeating an inaccurate charge" is the same as "bearing false witness" as far as I know. So in Mr. Warren's quest to dissolve my marriage he can violate a coomenment in the hope that I will not violate a prohibition not in the 10 Commandments but an obscure passage in Leviticus.

[HGMercury]

No, I do not respect Mr. Warren, just like I don't respect any intolerant people that go out of their way to try to marginalize any other groups of people that are lawful citizens. He has likened gay people to pedophiles and that crosses the line in a big way.

As we speak, the agents of intolerance continue their drumbeat:

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/12/19/california.proposition/index.html

Barack Obama, who I lost a lot of respect for already, must disinvite Mr. Warren.

[Ocean girl]

I am sorry... but I disagree with this. All you folks arguing for "this is okay" are being lead by faith in Obama, not reality. I am a fervent supporter, but I have not agreed with some of his centrist leanings. I do agree that you cannot turn the titanic on a dime so there are compromises, but so far I am seeing a bunch of white "same as usual" folks being chosen.

Why not choose and evangelical like this one: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/10/national/10evangelical.html

[FearlessFreep]

I think you got it right about Obama's defenders being led by faith in him.

[womo]

Ah yes, the irony of securlar faith in Obama.

[Bakersman]

Mr. Waldman, your defense of Rick Warren is cavernous. Hallow and full of echoes. You praise him because he has doubts? Any Christian who doesn't have doubts, who doesn't seek answers is not a Christian but a witless lamb.

Second, Rick Warren is a multi-millionaire. He doesn't miss a meal, he sleeps in a warm bed, does not sacrifice beyond his comfort. I will laud him for giving away a majority of his fortune but he's still beyond most people's wildest dreams rich and that is hardly Christlike.

And finally, you list all the insulting, disgusting things Mr. Warren stated about gays and then in your next breath say you respect him? That's like saying you respect a certain German leader for his military brilliance because he was pretty good at taking over Europe inspite of his other flaws. Or a certain Arab fellow supposidly living in the caves of Afganistan because of the brilliant plot he pulled off using airliners even though, gosh, they killed a bunch of people.

I understand why Obama picked Warren. It's political. And Obama is a political animal. The upside of this doltish selection is that it keeps the struggle for equality for all - not just the majority -brewing. Maybe one days when we cite the Pledge of Allegiance, when we arrive at the line, "With liberty and justice for all," we can all actually mean it without it being grossly hypocritical.

[racetoinfinity]

I couldn't disagree more. We need the national exposure of liberal and progressive Christian ministers to balance out the less evolved evangelical (mythic believing) Christianity that floods the culture without balance. Obama should have picked a liberal or progressive Christian pastor to deliver the address. We barely hear from them on a national stage.

[ponderingmuch]

I do not know much about the other religious person involved in the inauguration ceremonies, Joseph Lowery. I would like to. Apparently he has given some dazzling speeches (which I have not found online yet) in favor of gay and lesbian rights.

Infuriated as I am regarding the choice of Warren for the honor bestowed on him by Obama, it would probably be much better for all if we elevated Lowery's preaching and made HIM the star, not Warren.

Got info?

[labman57]

The supporters of Prop 8, including Rick Warren, are the same types of people who would have pushed for a repeal of the Civil Rights Act forty years ago. It's hate and bigotry, pure and simple, but the Prop 8 proponents are too cowardly to admit it.

Obama says that his record speaks for itself with respect to his support of gay rights. Well, although I am straight and an Obama supporter, I reply that actions speak louder than words. He will need to come up to the plate early in his first term and demonstrate through his actions that he supports gay rights. Otherwise, it is mere rhetoric.

[zenobiadarcy]

Choosing Rick Warren is no different than choosing a racist who has a long list of selfless acts. This is the first real inexcusable action that is also impossible to reconcile no matter the reasons.

[ankae]

I dont think there needs to be a defense of Rick Warren. I had my own short list of ministers for the inaguration and Rick Warren was on my list, even though I dont really like his positions on many things. In the end I was probably one of the few on the left that was not suprise by the choice - or even angered by the choice. This was a typical Obama move to cause an online "meltdown".

I think having Rick Warren give this invocation is the same as having Rev Wright give it. Both have done lots of good work in their communities to support HIV AIDs and poverty - however, would we want to see Rev Wright on that stage - the answer is No. Bot hministers are equally controversial but for different reasons.

However, the one thing this Rick Warren episode has uncovered is change is really coming to America! I cant remember when the blogs or journalists have been so emotionally invested in a President's actions or selections. People sat for eight years while our constitution eroded and had little to say! Now we have all found a voice and feel we really can express it - I think that is change!

I look forward to the upcoming Obama Presidency. Let us continue to be as committed to other issues as we are to this one.

[FearlessFreep]

So the more disapproval BO gets the more he's delivering on change? What if it just means he's in the wrong?

[doublels]

His one stance on homosexuality simply outweighs anything else he preaches. He is not a good choice & i absolutely disagree with Obama on this one. But...I still think he's going to be the best president we've seen in awhile or perhaps ever. Time will tell.

[nikolena]

I imagine those impoverished folks he's helped would disagree with you.

[ncmom54]

I'm not a follower' of Warren's but have purchased to read & given 'the Purpose Driven Life' as gifts. Looking back, I missed his underlying message... didn't at all see any signs of arrogance in 'It's not about you' ... now I do. This debate/outrage is good as it has brougt to light the true nature of Warren, and the injustices he perpetuates against a minority group. (I'm from the rural South, I don't know anyone who is gay but have seen the ignorance of racism all my life) Warren's attitude toward gay citizens is no different than the Klan's attitude toward blacks. Hate is hate, regardless of which robe is being worn. So... there are a lot of people who would have never know these things about Warren or the injustices against some of our citizens without Obama's gesture to be inclusive. Whether or not he intended it this way... the end result may be better because of it.
1 Corinthians 13:3

[JacklynD]

I can understand Obama's desire to dial down the hatred raging between factions in this country. The use of civilized debate is rare in these days of inflammatory rabid talk show hosts.

Obama is honoring Warren by allowing him to be our representative moral voice. WRONG WRONG WRONG.

Why reward hateful behavior and slap the face of the gay community who overwhelmingly rallied to support Barack Obama? It’s unsettling and incongruous. Are we supposed to embrace Creationists now? Do we pat the backs of people fighting to stop any stem cell research?

The day will be marred by Warren's elevation to such an honored position.

[tahitiboy]

Rick Warren is expressing what he thinks is GODS LAW. So What, not all Americans agree with him. But what makes me happy is that after 8yrs. we can now disagree, and not have to hate each other. So let him speak and then gay's can speak after. The next day gay's will speak first and Warren will respond second. Let's be real Americans of the new order.

[merger]

Thank you, i couldn't agree more.

[doublels]

A good thought.

[labman57]

I have no problem with people such as Warren expressing their views about "God's Law". I do have a problem with them trying to make their religious views federal or state law, as was done in California.

[FearlessFreep]

Tahitiboy must live in Tahiti.

[pathologic]

I'm unsettled by the decision and its defense. I was and still am a fervent supporter of Obama, but this is flat-out pandering at the expense of human rights and human worth.
I believe best efforts should be made to listen to the other side of policy debates and that there should be a focus among our leaders on common-ground solutions. I understand that this is the "change" Obama stands for. However, the worth of a gay man or woman is not a policy issue. When there are disagreements regarding individual human worth, the act of exhibiting tolerance amounts to a sacrifice of character.
The only saving grace is this is just a symbolic gesture and not a political appointment, but it certainly cheapens Barack's very first day in office and I had much higher hopes than that.

[Solja]

Cheapens? I'm just trying to figure out how a preacher can cheapen an entire presidency. Rick Warren gets his 15 minutes of fame, and he's gone. He won't be in the administration, nor will he be making policy. His views will be just like any other person outside of government, an opinion.

You make his opinion worth more than they actually are. It means nothing to me that this man will stand up there and give a prayer. Only God matters and Rick speaks to the same God that other Christians do, and we all don't believe the same things. No matter if he is on that stage or not, the administration does not rely on his opinions, thoughts, etc. to regulate any of our lives, so what does it matter? This whole argument is a true waste of energy to me. I've got bigger, more important and real battles. This is not going to distract me.

[pathologic]

I didn't say that it cheapens the entire presidency. It cheapens his first day which should symbolically be above this political gamesmanship. I still support Obama, fervently, as I say above, but I'm disappointed in this choice. Your comments I think are in line with my sentiments that this doesn't indicate a policy choice (see me look for common ground). And you're right this is indeed a quick headline grab for Warren. It's also a cheap political ploy by Obama.

[arethabaez]

IT DID IDSTRACT YOU. IT'S WRONG TO HAVE WARREN BE THE SPIRITUAL VOICE AT SUCH AN IMPORTANT CEREMONY.

[jamesinsf]

I don't understand your statement, "But I respect Warren and believe he has earned his status at the top of the evangelical heap", since you also state "Warren equated gay marriage to incest, pedophilia and polygamy and repeated the inaccurate charge that without Prop 8, conservative preachers could be prosecuted for hate crimes"?

On what planet does a Christian clergyman get to lie about gay marriages, demonize gay people by equating us with pedophiles and polygamists, and spread known disinformation about a state proposition? This man is a smiling enemy of gay people and of all freethinkers. Your statement in defense of him falls very short, as his behavior and Obama's selection of him are both indefensible.

[theMightyT]

i think if you read beyond that part of the article you'll get your answer.

I agree, Warren's statements on gays are absolutely wrong and even bigoted; but i think the article is trying to point out that Warren knows he has failings and struggles with his faith - in other words, he could be reached and might even change his thinking on his issue with gays.

That's the hope, isn't it? That we can all become enlightened enough to accept each other for who we are?

[zippytwl]

I think you're kidding yourself on this one. Warren will not change his mind, and he won't change his vote: He and his church will fervently support the next Republican candidate and the next incarnation of Prop 8. The only hope here is Rick Warren's hope that you'll change your mind.

[arethabaez]

pULEEZE.
What contortions you Obama worshippers twist into to defend his idiotic choices.
I gave $500 to a candidate that picks Rick Warren to speak on his first day in office?
Rev Wright who supports gay marriage got thrown under the bus so he could hear f-ing Rick Warren deliver the invocation an his pupil's inauguratiuon????

Audacitly of NO LOYALTY!

[Solja]

There have been many, many people in past administrations that disliked, even demonized, black people. I'm trying to figure out where were all of these pissed off people at then when all of our (I'm black) civil rights were walked on.

Rick Warren is a nobody, and people are spending hours and hours online crying the blues about how this boogeyman is going to ... what? What exactly is he going to do to our country if he says a prayer for the Obama administration's success? After his prayer, he is gone. Done. Outta sight. He wasn't selected to be part of the administration. Get over it already. It's not worth the drama. It's just not that important.

[arethabaez]

BAYARD RUSTIN ORGANIZED THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON ; THAT'S WHERE THE GAY WERE AT.

AS CORETTA KING FREQUENTLY STATED IN HER DEFENSE OF GAY MARRIAGE :"THEY (gays) WERE THERE MARCHING FOR US WHEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANY RIGHTS THEMSELVES." AND... "ANTI-GAY MARRIAGE IS GAY-BASHING"

SO YOU OK A GAYBASHER TO BE THE SPIRITUAL VOICE OF THE INAUGURATION????

NOBODIES DON'T GET PICKED TO DELIVER INAUGURATION INVOCATIONS. WARREN'S BULLY PULPIT IS MAGNIFIED BY HIS SELECTION.

THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY DRAMA AROUND BLACK CIVIL RIGHTS????­??????????­???

DRAMA BRINGS THE ISSUES TO THE FORE FRONT.

QUIT GIVING OBAMA FREE PASSES OR YOU'LL SOON BE DIAGNOSED W/ STOCKHOLM SYNDROME.

[Borninsin]

Do you figure God loves pedophiles, polygamists or those who commit incest any less than He loves you or me?