Rick Warren Defends His Invitation to the White House

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Source: NBC Bay Area

The 54-year-old pastor and founder of Saddleback Church in Southern California told the crowd of 500 that it's unrealistic to expect everyone to agree on everything all the time.

"You don't have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand," said Warren.

Warren also defended President-elect Barack Obama's invitation that he give the invocation at the Jan. 20 inauguration in the keynote speech he delivered at the Muslim Public Affairs Council's annual convention in Long Beach.

"Three years ago I took enormous heat for inviting Barack Obama to my church because some of his views don't agree (with mine)," he said. "Now he's invited me."

Read more: http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/us_world/NATLRick-Warren...

[madrchsod]

1. as long as the hand is`t attached to someone who is gay...

oh well the stain on president obama`s hand

[politicalmajority]

15. Rick Warren: Defender of SBC Churches' Pedophilia With His Silence and Inaction

The child sex abuse/crime and pedophilia within Southern Baptist churches belonging to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) by their pastors are rampant but the SBC refused to create a database of SBC staffs and clergies who are accused or convicted of child molestations.

See http://stopbaptistpredators.org/index.htm and http://www.time.com/time/specials/2008/top10/article/0,...

Rick Warren has been very vocal against same-sex marriages and abortion but he is largely silent on the child molestations that have been going on within the SBC churches. The child molestation by a church clergy is not a left-and-right issue. It is a crime against the state and sin against God. If Rick Warren is a true disciple of the Christ, he has to tackle the child molestation issue within his own Christian denomination first.

If Rick Warren keeps vocal against the same-sex marriage and abortion but silent on the child molestations by pastors of his own Christian denomination, Rick Warren is a clear hypocrite and the SBC's Bernard Law.

P.S. I am sure Rick Warren shook hands with at least one of the SBC pastors who are child molesters, either knowingly or unknowingly.

[Dennis Donovan]

2. "You don't have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand..."

No, you don't. But, you have to at least TRY to UNDERSTAND and TRY to RESPECT those whom you disagree with. Making GROSSLY BIGOTED statements and refusing to ACKNOWLEDGE one's BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS is NOT even ATTEMPTING to "walk hand in hand" with those you do not see "eye to eye" with.

Sorry, Rick - another EPIC FAILURE on your part.

[Tunkamerica]

3. as long as somenoe's eyes are locked on his hands

seems like someone to watch. I gave away 90% of my earnings but I made 20 million off a reframing of the bible mixed with tony little.

[Tunkamerica]

4. actually. i'll respond to my own post

I used to be semi-religious when I was younger... but the world actually stole my naiveté. The ridiculous clowns who claim to speak for God, some exercise in thought we've never quantified, continue to live on donations meant for a god who obviously has no need for the gold of Solomon. Anyone who pretends to the throne is ripe for plucking and it can't come too soon. I live for the day biblical scholars are intellectually honest and call for the culling of their flock...diseased as it's become over the years.

[PFunk]

5. Oh. Now he's trying to defend himself.

And to start an media campaign to keep him in as speaker, Meaning to me that it's starting to look like the Obama folks are starting to realize that they made a mistake on this one. And at least some of Obama's folks have talked to him about dropping out.

[marshall]

8. He appears to be defending Obama

Who would have thought a few months ago that such a scenario would be played out?

[glowing]

6. But the White House is not a church and its supposed to represent govt

and equality and you know civil rights.. all of which Rick Warren would take away in the name of his God.

[mdmc]

7. forgive me cause i don't know my right wing fundies like I should

but is this the same pastor that endorsed McCain and was considered "anti-Catholic"? I'm pretty sure it is a different person.
Anyway..Obama is reachin out...He's the man with the plan..Let the man be the man..

[Hansel]

25. No, that was Rev. John Hagee. n/t

[mdmc]

40. thanks

see? it could be a whole lot worse..

[Baby Snooks]

9. Separation of church and state...

Separation of church and state should begin on the steps of the Capitol.

Does anyone realize how offensive it is to those who are not Christian to have a Christian invocation?

Like it or not, the bottom line is that Barack Obama is sending the message, again, that this is a Christian nation. It is not.

But if we are not vigilant in protesting, it could very well become one.

I have written off Barack Obama. He is just another politician. Just another panderer.

[Robb]

16. "I have written off Barack Obama."

Well, good luck with that.

[diamidue]

26. Yep. I'm afraid you are right.

Bringing so many hawks into his cabinet was another disappointment. I am glad the GOP is no longer in power. But I have little faith in Obama/Biden/Emanuel/Pelosi or the rest of what passes for the Democratic Party these days.

Obama is offering a lot of favors, positions, honors to those who helped him in his campaign. That is to be expected I guess. But Obama owes a far greater loyalty to those who voted him in. Evangelical Christians, on the whole, did NOT vote for him. His voters are a broad mix of Americans of all faiths and cultures, and Obama does them a disservice by excluding them to instead honor an Evangelical Pastor.

[jpgray]

10. "You don't have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand"

That's true, Rick, but you can't walk hand in hand with a person unless you're walking in the same direction. Yay for ridiculously inadequate metaphors! Promoting this hateful guy in such a prominent way on such an elective basis makes zero sense to me. There's no good reason to do it, and even if there were, I don't see how the anemic possible benefits outweigh the insult.

[santamargarita]

11. You and I have nothing in common, Rick

If this bigot wants to do the right thing, then he should keep his fat ass at home!

[peacetalksforall]

12. The four most precious things I own - used to own -

My vote
My Constitution
My Bill of Rights and Treaties my country signed on to
My belief in the separation of Church and State

Eight years ago, predominantly Christian politicians and helpers stole my vote.

For decades, predominently Christian politicans and helpers have been plotting to change my Constitution.

For eight years, the same predominently Christian politicans have tossed the Bill of Rights and Treaties.

For decades, predominently Christian politicians and their helpers have pursued the conversion of this country to an all Christian nation.

In the last decade, predominently Christian politicians and their helpers plotted the takeover of the world.

In this decade, predominently Christian politicans and their helpers
. bombed, burned, evaporated nhuman beings and caused loss of the immune system and mental well being.
. tortured, tormented, and denied help to able bodied men so that they could remove them from the streets and convince them that they knew things
. convinced others in the world to torture
. lied endlessly
. stole trillions of dollars
. destroyed a sovereign nation and destroyed tbeir ancient collections of a civilization considered the Cradle of all civilization
. ignored the need of our soldiers and denied them traditional assistance and support
. placed abortion above the problem of torturing and continuing to invade the lives of human beings for the sake of the earth resource under their feet.

They have convinced themselves that all should convert and bow to their Christ and God.

The truth is their Christ and God are non-inclusive - so what's going to happen to all of us if they don't wake up to this world being a wonderful mix with the potential to get along.

How long will they pursue this domination.

I've had it with Christians who try to get by with telling us that they are not using the political, monetary, and media machines to gain complete control of all of the world.

I believe in the evolution of the soul and that it is designed to strive toward a certain ascension of 'perfection'.

The version that currently ruling us and striving to own us is suffocating us and meddling with the design of diversity which is the nature of this world.

It is not inclusive and has no idea how to go about winning souls.

It uses the war mongering depths of military, monetary, and media control to get what it wants to its maximum.

(The same can be said of their parallel in the Moslem world at this point in time, but theirs is hardly as refined and coordinated).

My possessions and beliefs are in peril and endangered.

Blessed are the inclusive. Blessed are ALL the children.

[Irishonly]

13. His words gave me the heebie jeebies

Many years ago I read an article about racism. I can't remember the magazine nor the title but the gist was that if you had to deny you were racist by commenting on how many black friends you had, you probably were racist. I was only about ten but it has stuck with me for many, many years.

I don't believe anyone on this board believes everyone has to agree with president elect Obama's choices nor does it mean anyone wants a failed presidency. IMHO, the Warren pick for the invocation was wrong on so many levels. It isn't just a prayer. It's a blessing for his presidency. For eight long years we have had the religious right taking over the government. I still don't understand why it had to be him. It's a slap in the face not only to gays but to women, liberal Christians and sane people of all or no beliefs.

I can't recall an inauguration where an invocation or benediction has not been given. Fifty presidents from now it probably will still be happening. For those of us believing in separation of church and state it's annoying. I want my government secular and religion isn't a qualification I look for when I choose a candidate. I am also in the minority. Until this country starts to grow up, accept the differences and stops having religion as the most important quality in a president we are going to have upheavals.

I have written to everyone I can think of expressing my disgust at the Warren selection. Thus far, I have been thanked for writing. He is going to give the invocation whether I like it or not, I fear. He will be given a double one fingered salute while the TV is on mute. Not very Christian of me but I can live with it.

[gratefultobelib]

18. You express exactly what I've been feeling. I haven't commented before

today. When I first heard about Warren I was sickened. And it was and still is because, as you say, "it's a slap in the face not only to gays but to women, liberal Christians and sane people of all or no beliefs."

I worked so hard and enthusiastically for Obama. I don't feel the same way anymore, and this saddens me. I don't understand why he chose this awful man for such a momentous occasion. Does Obama not recognize Warren for what he is? Does Obama buy into the "saved" nonsense? I'm so disillusioned.

Ah well. I also wrote in to the campaign to express my disgust and got a "thank you for writing."

[Irishonly]

19. Me too

I even wrote by snail mail because I have heard they pay more attention. We will see.

[bluedawg12]

14. Sounds like **** era crap redux.

"You don't have to see eye to eye to walk hand in hand," that kind of platitude usually is a cover for something.

Kind of like, bringing Democracy...through war.

[Bluenorthwest]

17. I wish Barack and his Ricky poo would go walking hand in hand

They'd learn a few lessons but quick. But they can not, because in America, even brothers holding hands are not safe to walk our streets without fear of vicious attacks at the hands of bigots.

[BayjanDem]

20. I have no problem

with the selection, you can't please everyone.

[closeupready]

31. Who are you and why should anyone care whether or not you have a problem with Warren?

You make no arguments in support of "having no problem" with him as though that should suffice. Frankly, I don't give a crap whether you have a problem with him or not.

[IndianaGreen]

21. Rick Warren, the man that supports the anti-LGBT schism in the Anglican Communion

Obama might as well have invited Bull Connor.

[John Kerry VonErich]

22. What shocks me is that Melissa Etheridge is defending Warren.

nt

[Critters2]

23. Do you have a quote where she defends him? She's not quoted in this article.

He claims they had a conversation, he likes her music, she signed his album, and they were at the same event. She's not quoted at all in this article.


He's basically saying "some of my best friends are gay". That doesn't mean she's defending him. Unless you have another source.

[John Kerry VonErich]

24. yep

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-warren21-2008de...

[Critters2]

29. She's not quoted in that article, either. Let me know when you find a quote. nt

[RatRacer]

33. Not a quote, but from the article...

"Warren's theme was about people getting along, forgetting their differences and focusing on areas of agreement. The audience cheered him, and many people rose to their feet.

Among the first to stand was singer Melissa Etheridge, a lesbian, who performed for the audience."

I tend to agree. Work on areas where we agree, don't flip out over areas we don't.

It's an invocation, not a cabinet post.

[Critters2]

34. Not as clear as a quote. I've been known to participate in standing O's

that I didn't think were really deserved, because I didn't want to be the only one not standing. And "among the first to stand" is too subjective to mean anything.

An invocation is an important symbolic moment. In terms of sending a message to the public, the invocation is more important than a cabinet position. Most people won't know or care who's on his cabinet. They'll know who gave his invocation.

[RatRacer]

35. I think you're wrong

Ask most people who keep up with politics and they could name several people who've been part of various administrations' cabinets during their lifetime. I'd be willing to bet less than 1% could tell you who gave an invocation at any of the inaugurations. And had there not been such a dustup over this one, many wouldn't remember Rick Warren gave one either.

I just refuse to write people off because I can't agree with them on every facet of every major issue. The man has done yeoman's work for AIDS sufferers worldwide and has been an important voice in that fight to people not inclined to pay attention to it normally. Disagreeing over the issue of marriage is not enough in my book to warrant all this handwringing and protest all things considered.

[RatRacer]

36. Ah, here's a quote from ME's partner

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/12/22/ether... /

Not everyone is that upset about the choice of Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. Melissa Etheridge, a longtime advocate for gay rights who is herself a lesbian, recently spoke with Warren, and -- judging from a blog post about the conversation written by Etheridge's wife -- she seems ready to forgive and forget.

An excerpt from Tammy Lynn Michaels' post, which I've left un-edited:

so honey met rick warren last night. well, she spoke to him on the phone beforehand, giving us insight into the man the media has made our latest "HE HATES YOU!" target. if i sit real still and think about it.. it's almost like reverse smear-the-queer... at times, it seems that the media presents us with target after target to smear, as if to say to us, "THIS IS THE GUY HOLDING YOU BACK!! GO GIT 'IM!!!" and it does seem that my lovely gay family is so bruised and bettered and ready to fight back (myself included), that we attack and deem someone ANTI-GAY, and ready to SMEAR, simply when they don't want the word "marriage" brought into our gay ceremonies. now, if the person doesn't want gays AT ALL, then i'm gonna chase that one down. but, i'm starting to think that there are indeed some people... some well-meaning and loving people... who are not at all ANTI-GAY, that's not why they don't want the word marriage used... they are merely RELIGIOUS. and for religious (archaic) reasons, they want to stay safe and respectful to WHAT THEY'VE BEEN TAUGHT.

let me try to differentiate the two.

let's say i am wearing a baseball cap. now what if i want to call it a yamaka? you know- it's basically the same thing, but one is missing the sun visor. i don't call my caps yamakas... cuz that is a religious name for a hat that is worn by religious people. now if i apply that thinking to this situation.... i would like to think of it as.... if they afford us the EXACT SAME RIGHTS, then who cares what it's called? ... joel and hanna can have a piece of paper with the word MARRIAGE on it, and all 1200 rights... and i can have a piece of paper with who-cares on it, and all 1200 rights. the word marriage is a religious, holy, word that people who go to church on sundays are told belongs to them. like yamaka, menorah, or matzo.

rick is not a televangelist. rick is not falwell. rick spoke of some "stupid" things he's said (his word, not mine), some missquotes that were given, and lots of ammunition from the media. all excellent points. (we're all war-minded right now, you know. it's easy for the media to distract us by throwing us into our own verbal wars here at home.) ) what to do, what to do.... the rest of the public is given an animation of rick warren... and then my wife meets the man behind the projections, the quotes, the "OTHER SIDE". and he is warm, caring, effusive, and LOVES gays. since he nearly swallowed honey when he hugged her, i tend to believe him. he wants our gay marriages to be just as respected and embraced as the straight marriages. he just wants to wear his yamaka, and me wear my hat.

[Critters2]

37. So you're not among those he's compared to incest offenders or pedophiles.

And many people do remember watching Billy Graham say invocations.

[RatRacer]

38. And many, many more do not.

And he's probably by far the most famous Christian the US has ever produced. But a whole bunch of people could name various cabinet members.

Also, found a quote from Melissa Etheridge's partner:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Critters2]

39. Warren wants to be "the next Billy Graham". Obama is helping him with this project.

This is not a small thing.

Melissa Etheridge's partner seems only borderline literate. I hope Etheridge is more thoughtful than Ms. Yamaka. If she is not, then a quote from Etheridge won't impress me, either.

Gotta go celebrate hanaka. And krismus.

[No Elephants]

27. She is? I thought all she did was give him her autograph.

[No Elephants]

28. First, Rick Warren inviting Obama to speak to the Saddleback congregants is NOTHING like Obama

inviting Warren to give the invocation at the Inauguration. Passing that, though, I am delighted that people have raised their voices. I am happy that Obama-Biden and Warren are on the defensive now.

Obama-Biden are not going to admit the Warren invitation was a gaffe. Warren is not going to admit he is an ass or immediately lose anyone in his congregation. But, all of them are going to start thinking about Warren's teachings and Obama's invitation in a different way. So will people in the flocks of Dobson, Robertson, et al. So will people who are only hearing about Warren and teachings like his for the first time.

It's the butterfly effect.

[closeupready]

30. Shut up, Rick Warren. We are not interested in your hate speech.

Sorry for shouting, but I can't stand him.

[truthisfreedom]

32. I was wrong about this guy. He sucks. Crawl back in your hole, rick, you're not needed here.

Go away.