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How does everyone feel about the Rick Warren/Obama Issue?
Posted by scheduledoctor • 12/18/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: obama, religion, rick warren
After his pastor of 20 years has had so many problems, what does this change mean to Obama's platform?
User Comments
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Why will no one touch this?
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Its kind of hard to. -
Its in the computer, I tried but failed.
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many gay people are absolutely furious and are saying so in no uncertain terms. here's one of the many links about this I read today
www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/18/obamas-talking-points-on_n_152056.html -
I think it's not worth the energy people are spending getting all in a furor over it. I never thought of Obama as a progressive, though I had high hopes.
I am not religious. I'd prefer a secular invocation, never mind a rather bigoted homophobic type who tricked people into thinking his Purpose Driven Life was any good, but there are bigger fish to fry.
I'd have preferred Reverend Wright, because he speaks ore truth than Rick Warren would ever know. -
All of the other Obama decisions have been centrist. Why pick a radical like Warren? I don't understand.-
neither do I, honestly. I sent an angry e-mail to an addy someone provided for Obama's "gay outreach director" but did not receive any reply. I urged that Warren's participation be canceled. the gay community really organized and contributed to Obama's campaign and this really does feel like a slap in the face.
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Obama's religious choices have been nothing close to centrist! However, I like that he is bringing a bunch of different groups together that don't agree. Rick Warren is much more reasonable than people give him credit for. And, he gives 90% of his income away. I know very few others that have such charitable dispositions. He isn't perfect, and he has some intolerances, but Obama is bringing a variety of groups and opinions to the stage.
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This is a political decision and Obama's political decisions have been centrist. It's just pandering to the religious right.
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It doesn't necessarily mean anything for Obama's platform.
It could mean he's going to be further to the right on certain issues, or he could be trying to smooth a path toward a more progressive agenda without the kind of ideological grid-lock that kept Clinton from doing much of anything (except when he moved to the right with NAFTA and welfare reform). For instance, it'll be a lot easier to do away with don't ask/don't tell and undo Bush's anti-choice legislation if evangelicals aren't lined up against him.-
you may be right, drjay, and I will try to keep an open mind and wait and see what happens, but as I said this feels like a real slap in the face to peopole who really went out for him
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o... obama's got the evangelicals full force behind him... just a SLIGHTLY different brand than the bush ones. This whole BO broohaha doesn't surprise me one bit. Admittedly I'm jaded. All my TC GLBT friends fought hard for HRC and never really expected as much from Obama, though most voted for him.
That is all I trust myself to say... knowing all too well this is not something I look forward to... the Obama-Evangelical/Fundi courtship. I have NO stomach for more of the same, but that is what we'll get...
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Rick Warren's an idiot. I don't know why people listen to what he says.-
Explain. I am not saying he is the smartest man in the world, but he has sold a lot of books. He has an enormous following. It is like when people call Bush an idiot. He got elected to the most powerful job in the word twice. He has made some idiot decisions, but to call him an idiot is not accurate.
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His opinions don't reflect reality. He thinks people choose their sexual orientation. In short, an idiot.
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After reading the article Libdrone provided (thanks you!) I have to say that while I vehemently disagree with his choice, I do understand why he did it.
From the article:
"Nevertheless I had an opportunity to speak, and that dialogue I think is part of what my campaign's been all about, that we're not going to agree on every single issue, but what we have to do is to be able to create an atmosphere where we can disagree without being disagreeable, and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans."
In regards to Obama being invited to speak at Warren's church regardless of the differences in their fundamental beliefs.
If you want change, you do have to reach across the board and open up the lines of communication in a productive manner. The one thing about the Obama administration that is very different than the Bush administration is the tolerance of opposing views.
I disagree with his choice, but like I said, I understand it.-
Warren isn't exactly the voice of tolerance and reason. He compared abortion to the Holocaust. It's one thing to reach across the aisle, but in a way, this is condoning radicalism.
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I'm struggling with that too Sati. Like I said, I seriously disagree with his decision. On the other hand, perhaps, just maybe he is trying to include him for the purpose of creating a dialogue that will change his opinion down the road?
Maybe it's a keep your friends close...your enemies closer type of thing?
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Aren't we all getting worked up about the wrong thing? If there's going to BE an "invocation" and a "benediction" by ministers in the first place, it's a bit after the fact to get caught up in the fact that one of them espouses traditional religious beliefs, isn't it?-
Isn't it fairly traditional?
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Indeed it is. And we never hear all this complaint. Ever heard anyone protest the selection of a minister for this role before?
For instance, Billy Graham gave the invocation at both of Clinton's inaugurations. -
I'm sure there have been protests about this before - but we all know the high profile testing of Obama is out of control. And therefore, a media priority.
*shrug*
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So many whiners and not enough reason.
Everyone wants rights and then they want to force them onto people.
Don't the people have rights?
Personally I don't care either way about his choice, he has his reasons, but it seems like every damn day somebody is forcing their beliefs on others.
I am sick to my stomach with all of this crap, one goes left one goes right no one will be pleased all the time. Shut up and live your life.
That is how I feel about all of this BS, I have Gay friends, I have Black friends, I work for Korean people I don't care what you are but, it's how you present yourself as a human being. -
Obama's pick of Rick Warren does not surprise me. Obama and Warren have been friends Why does everything have to analyzed under the premise of political gain. Republicans aren't the only Christians on the planet.
After reading comments and emails from people over the last couple of days, I notice that many take Warren's position on gay marriage out of context. As if Warren hates people who live a gay lifestyle. This is completely untrue and against his own faith.
The decision to support or not support gay marriage, for a Christian, is first a personal spiritual conviction; and a civilian rights policy issue second.
Obama is an individual that believes his faith and his life go hand and hand. I don't expect Obama to leave his faith at home as heads for office, he would be leaving himself at home as well.-
I have a problem with people who take the Bible literally and the Constitution loosely. - Bill Maher
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I didn't vote for him but a brilliant political move. I wouldn't expect anything less from the ultimate politician. Bill Clinton couldn't hold Obama's jock strap when it comes to political calculations, and that my friend (as John McCain would say) is exactly what this is.-
Very funny!
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Reading some of the comments posted I see that there is not much tolerance from the liberals!
As a follower of Jesus I believe that homosexualism is a sin but it is not any different than my sin. Any Christian who says they do not have sin in their life is sinning because they are lying. We all have sin in our lives and we are equally guilty before God.
Having said that it is not my job to point fingers at other people's sin. I am to focus on my sin and show love to everyone else. I am to accept others with love and let God worry about the sin they have in their life.
As a pastor I am to preach about all sin in such a way that people are convicted not condemned.
President elect Obama's decision to include Rick Warren is an example to all intolerant people.
Being liberal or conservative does not make anyone better or more tolerant than anyone else. We all have stuff to work on and so maybe we should focus on that instead of the stuff of others. -
Many people feel abortion is wrong who don't even go to church. Every life is valuable. You might be killing off the next Einstein. Everyone should be allowed to develop and live their life without someone taking it from them. -
BOTTOM LINE.
People will find something to whine about. If it is not Rick Warren it is Rev. Wright.
One more reason why politics and religion need to be kept completely separate.
I promise you that at the inauguration that Rick Warren will not speak about Abortion or Traditional marriage. Obama inviting Warren was a strategic move to get the religious right to talk about their bigoted views towards gays and their interfering views on abortion.
Newsflash, America was not founded on traditional marriage nor abortion.
TO the CONSERVATIVE RIGHT....
STAY OUT OF MY BEDROOM and LET ME DEAL WITH MY MAKER WHEN I GO TO THE OTHER SIDE!!!!
I am sorry that Gays are offended by Obamas selection of Warren but at least people will continue to talk about the issues that affect gay people.-
[I promise you that at the inauguration that Rick Warren will not speak about Abortion or Traditional marriage.]
Good, because I plan on being at the inauguration.
[Obama inviting Warren was a strategic move...]
...to unite the country.
[I am sorry that Gays are offended by Obamas selection of Warren but at least people will continue to talk about the issues that affect gay people.]
It's not just gays.
Then again, I don't have a problem with Obama's decision, but I also have zero respect for Rick Warren. -
Rev. Wright was Obama's spiritual leader for 20 years and I believe he even baptized his kids. When someone our future President has aligned himself with consistently over time says "God Damn America" it makes me uncomfortable. I am not saying that the guy is evil or anything, but his beliefs about America make me less than happy. Obama is one of his followers - or was until after 20 years decided to run for the Presidency. This just doesn't make me comfortable.
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Who gives a shit?
Really with all the problems that we are facing now who gives a rats ass about the invocation?
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