Who would be a better pastor to deliver the invocation?

[moriah]

My thought is Tony Campolo.

Any other ideas?

[boppers]

1. William G. Sinkford

President of UUC

[Gore1FL]

2. No one

This isn't a religious event.

[silverojo]

18. My point all along

I'm offended by ANY religious man of the cloth being at the inauguration, because it blurs the line between church and state.

Warren just happens to be SOMEWHAT more offensive than most. (By that, I mean that the majority of preachers, priests, etc., hold his views...they just don't speak out about them.)

[POAS]

22. At the risk of offending may I add my AMEN! n/t

[leftstreet]

3. Couldn't Jimmy Carter just lead the nation in a moment of silence?

I think I read somewhere that he's "qualified" in his church to do that sort of thing.

:shrug:

[Lost-in-FL]

4. IMO, No religious service (or invocations, etc) should be provided. nt

[Jamastiene]

5. Jessie Jackson Sr.

And yes, I mean it. That man was instrumental in the original civil rights movement. He was there when MLK died. He's been working his ass off for ages to see the day come that a black person gets such a position in our country and he's got a good heart, even if he isn't perfect in some people's eyes.

*donning super duper flame proof reindeer outfit now in anticipation of peace on Earth and goodwill toward humankind no matter what anyone says*

I'm sticking my fingers in my ears an saying, "lalallalala" now so I can voice my opinion without getting my ass handed to me, thus ruining this holiday season.

:hide:

[Sebastian Doyle]

7. I think that whole "I'm gonna cut his nuts off" thing pretty much killed Jesse's chances

Though he was there in Hyde Park on election night. I wouldn't object him being there myself, but then I'm not the guy he threatened to neuter. :scared:

[Jamastiene]

8. Well, Obama could hold his knees tightly together for 2 minutes.

:P

I'm gonna pay for that. :evilgrin:

:hide:

[NashVegas]

20. I Had That Same Thought

[Solon]

6. I thought of this guy...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8010977&mesg_id=8010977

[countmyvote4real]

9. Why does it have to be a pastor or mythologist?

Kathy Griffin is my first choice.

Of course, I could settle well with any of the following (in no particular order):

The 14th Dalai Lama
Maya Angelou
Stevie Wonder
Henry Rollins
Howard Zen
John Mayer
Joni Mitchell
Melissa Etheridge
Senator Russ Feingold
Rev Jerimiah Wright

Hell, Suze Orman would make much better sense to me if the POTUS Elect is looking for a common denominator.

[pnwmom]

12. Because this is an invocation. By definition, that involves calling upon

a deity or spirit.

[No Elephants]

15. That is not THE defintion of invocation, but A

definition of "invocation," one of several. However, no law says that the inspirational remarks that open an event have to be called "invocation." Structuring government events as though they were church services, with an invocation and a benediction, is, IMO, highly inappropriate. According to the Constitution, the oath of office is not even supposed to mention God. Washington did it, whether out of habit or deliberately, and no President since has had the decency to use the words specified, word for word, by the Constitution of the United States.

Maybe we should sue.

[pnwmom]

38. I want Obama to be re-elected. Alienating him from mainstream Christians --

which making this a huge issue would do -- wouldn't be helpful.

[countmyvote4real]

47. I don't consider the Warrenites, Saddlebackistines, whatever; mainstream Christians. n/t

[Political Tiger]

10. I think no matter who it is

somebody is gonna be pissed!

[moriah]

21. I think you have a good point.

I'm not traditionally religious so any preacher isn't likely to please me -- some of the UU pastors mentioned, or a progressive Episcopalian maybe...

But if he wants to be prayed over, go for it is what I say...

Have those of you who are really and truly irked written the members of the Joint Congressional Committee? Pelosi, Reed, and Feinstein are on the committee....

[snowbear]

11. Whassa matta with Reverend Al?

.
.

[JohnnieGordon]

23. Far more pro-gay than Jesse Jackson

I wouldn't be surprised if Jackson doesn't support gay marriage. He also bristles at any comparison between the 60s civil rights movement and gay rights, which also pisses me off. Sharpton is 100% pro-gay.

[No Elephants]

25. Bristle and get pissed off all you both want. Human rights are human rights, whether we are talking

racial, ethnic or religious minorities, women or gays.

[JohnnieGordon]

26. You misread my post, but I can now see how that was possible

I was saying that it pisses me off that JESSE JACKSON bristles at any comparison between the 60s civil rights movement and gay rights. I'm pissed off at JACKSON for saying that, because I'm in complete disagreement. Sorry for the confusion, I realize now it wasn't worded carefully enough and could be read two different ways.

[pnwmom]

13. Retired Catholic Bishop Thomas Gumbleton.

From Wikipedia:

Bishop Gumbleton is often thought of as one of the most controversial American Catholic bishops due to views he holds that are contrary to coventional Catholic teaching. He is recognised as a pacifist and one of the most liberal bishops in America. Most notably Gumbleton has spoken out against the Catholic teaching on homosexuality.
The bishop has written extensively on changing Catholic teaching regarding homosexuality. In his call for this change, Gumbleton often draws from his personal experience of having a homosexual brother. <2> His brother Dan revealed to his family that he was a homosexual through a letter. Gumbleton has discussed how he had previously ignored the topic, however his brother's revelation, he said, forced him to consider the matter.
Gumbleton's personal involvement with the topic has given him insight to the matter, and he has often discussed his past and how he came to his current beliefs in regard to homosexuality at conferences. Bishop Gumbleton has consistently been a supporter of New Ways Ministry and has also called for homosexual priests and bishops to "come out" and be truthful to themselves and others. However, his activism for change with regard to homosexuality is not limited to New Ways Ministry, Gumbleton has also acted as a key note speaker at Call to Action conferences, where he discusses many topics alongside other liberal Catholic figures such as Hans Küng and Bishop Jacques Gaillot.
Gumbleton caused some controversy in 2005 when he revealed that he had not submitted the mandatory letter offering resignation. Upon reaching 75, all bishops must offer a letter of resignation to the pope, however Bishop Gumbleton did not, instead claiming that he wrote a letter asking to continue his work, on the topic Gumbleton said:
"“It’s so arbitrary, some of them they ignore, but if you are the least bit progressive, they accept it immediately.”
The bishop was forced to retire one year later at the age of 76.
During his time as bishop, Gumbleton also caused further upset, as he wore a mitre at a church service on which were symbols of the cross, a rainbow and a pink triangle. The pink triangle caused particular complaints by some due to its history as a symbol of gay rights, after its use to identify homosexuals in Nazi Concentration Camps. <3>
In the past the bishop has caught attention due to his public protesting towards violent actions. In 1999 he was arrested outside The White House along with eleven other anti war protesters for disturbing the peace. Dr Gumbleton has more recently been a very vocal opponent of the war in Iraq, being arrested once again outside The White House for engaging in civil disobedience, he was arrested along with United Methodist Bishop C. Joseph Sprague, Rabbi Arthur Waskow, Nobel Peace Prize laureates Mairead Corrigan Maguire and Jody Williams and members of pacifist organisations.<4> Gumbleton has distinguished himself as being the only Roman Catholic bishop in America to have taken such action in protest of the war, furthermore, Gumbleton has in the past been arrested due to protests against nuclear weapons.
As well as this, Gumbleton also came into the public eye before the Vatican's Instruction with regard to the ordination of homosexual men was released, arguing against Fr. Baker's article on the issue in America. <5>
More recently Gumbleton attracted media attention when he revealed that he was sexually abused by a priest as an adolescent in seminary. Gumbleton stated; "I don't want to exaggerate that I was terribly damaged. It was not the kind of sexual abuse that many of the victims experience.", further adding, "They are intimidated, embarrassed, and they just bury it. I understand that," explaining that, "I never told my parents. . . . I never told anybody." Gumbleton spoke out as a measure to encourage Catholics who have been abused to make complaints through the official channels. <6>

[salguine]

14. The Reverend Horton Heat.

[boppers]

17. I could surf that. eom

[wundermaus]

16. The greatest spiritual leader of all time....

Father Guido Sarducci

[snowbear]

37. LOL! ..I forgot about that guy..

.
.

I just pulled him up on Wikipedia and they referred to him as the fictional "chain-smoking priest"..

[TexasProgresive]

19. I second Retired Catholic Bishop Thomas Gumbleton and add

Rev Jim Wallis of Sojourners, would give the honor to Fr. Andy Greeley who is recovering from a major head injury, Fr. Daniel Berrigan and finally Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori. There are more but these are on top of my head. New Hampshire Bishop V. Gene Robinson would ignite a firestorm that would make the Warren uproar pale in comparison.

[No Elephants]

24. What is the point? Obama cannot now disinvite Warren, nor will he. It's Warren. Obama is

unrepentant about that; and I am sad.

[JVS]

27. I don't think there are any good choices. I think he should just ask Jimmy Carter to do it.

Ideally the person to deliver an invocation would be whoever serves ass Obama's pastor in regular life. The most recent figure having filled that role was Rev. Wright. Of course, Wright had become a political football in the primaries, and then Obama disassociated himself from him. Subsequently Obama has not had any parishonal affiliation. Since he has had no affiliation the selection of a pastor is now a political statement. Since there is no personal reason, only a politcal motivation remains probable to observers. This is exacerbated by the fact that the choice of Warren is bad because he is a pastor that engages himself in America's political scene. While the views that make Warren particularly odious to Democrats are likely shared by many possible candidates for the invocation, the selection of say the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia's Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York would not be the same kind of political statement as Warren. Of course the selection of a clergyman from ROCOR would likely put a huge WTF thought bubble over the heads of the entire country due to the obscurity of the choice. Obama's choice is also bad because it serves as a promotion of Warren to Graham's old Pastor of America, a bullshit position if there ever has been one.

But where is it written that an invocation must happen, or that if it does happen then we need a member of the clergy to perform it? For this reason, I suggest the layman Jimmy Carter.

[Fire_brand]

28. Bishop Don Magic Juan

[annabanana]

29. Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

A bit about her:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95429960

[Shiver]

30. Fifty bucks and all expenses paid and I'll do it

I'm a genuine and authorized pope of Discordia and the Erisian Church. :hi:

[EndElectoral]

31. Bishop Desmond Tutu....

[polichick]

32. Deepak Chopra, or a female Unitarian.

[rusty fender]

33. Although I am an atheist

I would choose Susannah Heschel to give the Invocation. She isn't a pastor, but she delivered the Baccalaureate Address at Colorado College in 2005. I attended because my nephew was graduating. I was ready to hate her speech and pick it apart, however, it changed my attitude towards people of religious faith. If ever there was a reasonable religious person, Susannah Heschel is that person. The Inagural Invocation, in my mind, is a great honor and privilege, it should, therefore be given by the best representative of religious faith, not the worst.

[proud2BlibKansan]

34. Joseph Lowrey

[slackmaster]

35. Sister Mary Martini

[PBS Poll-435]

36. Father Dowling

[Hepburn]

45. LMBO! n/t

[LordJFT]

39. Jim Wallis

[MadBadger]

40. As a politician, nothing would be dumber than Obama using Sharpton or Jackson.

Nothin

[demodonkey]

41. TONY CAMOPOLO! PREACH!!! nt

[butterfly77]

42. jeremiah wright..

[earth mom]

43. NONE-it is a violation of the Constitution. nt

[flvegan]

44. Reverend Run

Russell Simmons.

[AllentownJake]

46. John McCain

If you want to send a message that we are coming together as a nation have John McCain say the prayer if he's willing.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

48. See, your choice makes us face the sad reality that progressive evangelicals are marginalized

I had forgotten all about Tony Compolo. He would have been perfect. My choice would be Rev. Jim Wallis. Though he may or may not be for gay marriage, he is much less polarizing than Warren. But Warren has more money and more mainstream recognition so I guess Obama had to sell out to him. Still, it is refreshing that Rev. Lowery has a role; he is for extending civil rights for gays/lesbians and is also for gay marriage.