Warren giving the invocation is a disappointment

[grantcart]

Of course it was not necessary to have a homophobe intrude on this ceremony, but the irony of having a California homophobe is especailly disappointing.

Not only that its not that brilliant strategically. If you wanted to acknowledge Evangelicals it would be better if he were to go to someone like Reverend Richard Cizik (who was a college friend of mine) who has been on the front lines of confronting Evangelicals on their ecological and support for the poor stand. It would be better if he had gotten a moderate conservative from a mainline Protestant Church, people that are much closer to Obama's theological and political position.

If Obama wanted to reach out to a conservative religious leader (even with the objectionable views on civil rights for GLBT) then better to pick someone from a "connected" Protestant Denomination rather than these self promoting ministers who set up their own power structures and are not answerable to ecclesiastical communities.

Having said that there is nothing that Rick Warren can do that will diminish the joy I will experience on Jan 20th.

We should not stand up and turn the other direction or throw our shoe at him. We should politely ignore him.

This day is ours.

[spooky3]

1. it's just another good reason there should be no religious invocation at all at a public ceremony.

[democrattotheend]

3. That should be up to Obama - it's his swearing in

And it's his choice whether he wants a religious leader there, which as a person committed to his faith he obviously does. There's no rule saying he has to have one.

[LeftyMom]

16. Is he incapable of going to church on his own time?

[spooky3]

23. no, it's up to the Constitution

which calls for the separation of church and state.

[democrattotheend]

27. Right, which would be violated if presidents were not allowed to have their religious leader speak

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Outlawing the convocation would be prohibiting the free exercise thereof, just as mandating it would be considered establishment of religion. I believe school prayer is unconstitutional because attendance at school is compulsory, so students are a captive audience to the prayer. But nobody is required to be at inauguration or watch it on TV. If anyone does not want to attend because of this I'll be glad to take their tickets!

[ProSense]

2. "We should politely ignore him." I have a better idea,

everyone should write to Obama and express their displeasure. There isn't an excuse valid enough to justify Warren.

[BlooInBloo]

4. I have no problem with a good ol' fashioned shoe throwing.

[grantcart]

14. actually shoe throwing has to be considered "new fashion"

[grantcart]

9. Yes I agree with that and should have added that..

My meaning was to do nothing at the ceremony itself.

[ryanmuegge]

5. If you think this is a disappointment, you're going to really hate the next four years.

It's still better than the last eight years of the Cheney administration.

[grantcart]

11. no I am going to love the next 8 years

In the last 12 months this is the first real criticism I have had of Obama's campaign or transition.


In this case I just think that his personal association with Warren has influenced his decision.


While of marginal symbolic importance I don't find the invocation speaker to be that significant, this is just an unfortunate choice.

[Cha]

6. I wish you would send this thoughtful

piece to http://www.change.gov, grant.

I sent a message yesterday because I feel strongly about Vilsack being chosen for Ag Sec. And, even if he's chosen Obama will know that some of us don't think big ag and monsanto are the best for this country.

[QC]

7. Why do you hate America? Why?? n/t

[AspenRose]

8. Tony Campolo. Barry Lynn. Jim Wallis.

NOT Rick Warren!!!! Unbelievable. :banghead:

[LSparkle]

17. Thank you -- JIM WALLIS would have been perfect!

Evangelical, but in a thoughtful, intellectual,
LIBERAL way.

[Starry Messenger]

10. With all due respect, the day is not "ours" if this hater is doing the invocation.

I am sickened and I will definitely be writing to Obama. I am a straight atheist resident of California that is still reeling from the sucking chest wound of a law that is Prop 8. Why would Obama want to give airspace to someone who thinks it's OK to amend a Constitution to take away human rights? That is WRONG on so many levels. I'm not yelling at you Grantcart, I'm just venting. This is very disappointing to me.

[grantcart]

13. Yes it is disappointing

This is still our day, years in the making.

[goclark]

12. Warren's the one that lied and said MCCain was in a lock

out place and couldn't hear the questions ~ right?

:puke:

[LSparkle]

15. Why didn't he ask someone like the head of Sojourners?

Can't recall his name at the moment, but he's a LIBERAL
evangelical.

Also wish they'd selected Joseph Lowery to do the invocation
instead of the benediction. If they had to include Warren,
give him the end of the "show" -- not the "marquee" slot ...

[bullwinkle428]

18. Why couldn't he have picked someone like Rev. Jim Wallis?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Wallis

Wallis actively eschews political labels, but his advocacy tends to focus on issues of peace and social justice, earning him his primary support from the religious left. Wallis is also known for his opposition to the religious right's fiscal and foreign policies

"In discussing the 2004 American presidential elections, Wallis said 'Jesus didn’t speak at all about homosexuality. There are about 12 verses in the Bible that touch on that question ... here are thousands of verses on poverty. I don’t hear a lot of that conversation.'"

[Ichingcarpenter]

19. Someone suggest to voice our displeasure on Obama's site

The links and post is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=4669729&mesg_id=4669729

[endarkenment]

20. Like a turd in the punchbowl?

That sort of disappointment?

It is disgusting.

[zulchzulu]

21. I'll be at the Inauguration and will turn my back when Warren is speaking

I may be way the hell in the back, but I (and I'm sure many others) will turn their backs when he is speaking... maybe we can wave a sign or two as well.

It's a good chance to embarrass Warren.

[grantcart]

24. stay warm

(I froze at Jimmy Carter's)

[Cha]

25. Or at least let him know

how much of America feels about his heinous, hypocritical bigotry.

I hope people who are feeling this against warren being at the Inaugeration are writing to http://www.change.gov and letting the one in charge know.

I was passionate enough about something Yesterday to write to "change".

[mmonk]

22. More like shame.

[ecstatic]

26. I think picking him was a tone deaf move on the part of the JCIC

or whoever that group is that plans the Inauguration, particularly in light of the past McClurkin outrage. I don't think Obama picked Warren but there is a group of people who are eager to paint Obama in a certain light whenever something happens. Nevertheless, I am still elated that Obama will be the new president.

And on a side note, imagine how much more powerful this latest set of objections would be if there had not already been 100s of other outrage eruptions over the past 6 weeks?