If it were the Dalai Lama or the Pope giving a freaking prayer, many would not care...

[phleshdef]

I mean, I'm sure some people are going to complain regardless of who does what, but I think a lot of people complaining about Warren giving a freaking prayer probably wouldn't care at all if it were some other popular religious figure that isn't an evangelical, despite the fact that just about anyone that is known (including the Pope and the Dalai Lama) have some very un-progressive stances fueled by their own spiritual beliefs.

The guy is going to say a prayer. Big deal. I personally would have preferred TD Jakes, but I also understand why he chose Warren. I think he is probably trying to extend an olive branch to the Evangelical community because they highly opposed him during the election, for the most part. I don't have a problem with this because even though Obama differs politically from the political wing of the Evangelical movement, he is their president too. I also think this goes a long way in pushing the idea that he is a Christian to the people that have doubts about it. He said he was going to be everyone's president and that is what he is doing.

Complaining about cabinet picks is one thing, complaining about actually policies is one thing, complaining about letting someone say what will probably be a completely neutral prayer is a counterproductive overreaction.

[Captain Hilts]

1. It's a slap in the face to abortion rights supporters and to gays. nt

[ClarkUSA]

15. I'm pro-choice and support gay marriage and I don't feel slapped. I guess I'm pragmatic.

Rick Warren's meaningless prayer won't amount to a hill of beans when it comes to impacting President Obama's policy.
Bill Clinton's passing of DOMA is much more of a slap to gays, for example, but does anyone who's outraged about Rick
Warren care about that policy mistake?

[Captain Hilts]

18. His prayer will be meaningless his presence has GREAT meaning and legitimizes...

his form of hate because of the stage he is on.

[ClarkUSA]

30. President Obama promised to be the president of everyone in the U.S. on Nov. 2, 2008

Not just those who are pro-choice or pro-gay marriage. As such, Pastor Warren's presence is pure political symbolism.
If you think it is anything more, then we shall have to agree to disagree.

[WeDidIt]

2. The Pope is anti-gay, too. n/t

[Captain Hilts]

19. Yet another reason he hasn't been invited to give the invocation. nt

[crappyjazz]

3. Thank you for letting us know what we would and/or should care about

I can complete my day now

[Bluebear]

4. The Pope is anti-gay too, what's your point?

[Jackeens]

5. I'd have a MAJOR problem if it was the Pope! n/t

[Hansel]

8. Me too!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. Having Warren give the prayer is holding an olive branch

out to those on the "other side". Obama is wise to treat those who oppose him in this way.

[Hansel]

9. Yes he is. But this is not the time or the place. n/t

[Critters2]

11. Obama needs to start reaching out to gays. nt

[Shiver]

27. First of all, Warren wasn't choen by Obama.

He was chosen by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, chaired by Dianne Feinstein http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4670307

Second:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7970361

http://www.washingtonblade.com/thelatest/thelatest.cfm?blog_id=22518

[Critters2]

28. You seriously believe the PE has no say in his own inauguration?

:crazy:

[Captain Hilts]

21. He's a showbiz charleton. There is a world of other clerics he could have chosen. nt

[yardwork]

23. Yes, and look what Warren has to stay -

Rick Warren: But the issue to me is, I知 not opposed to that as much as I知 opposed to the redefinition of a 5,000-year definition of marriage. I知 opposed to having a brother and sister be together and call that marriage. I知 opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I知 opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.

Steven Waldman: Do you think, though, that they are equivalent to having gays getting married?

Rick Warren: Oh I do.

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/12/16/7415

Who could possibly disagree? And his stance on abortion is equally moderate! He's against it even when the life of the mother is at risk. What could be more humane? And his views on evolution are so inclusive.

Really, it's a shame that a handful of drama queens are ruining the fun.

[Lyric]

25. Yeah, 'cause Bill Clinton's olive branch to the corporations has gone over

so WELL here at DU.

:eyes:

[Critters2]

7. TD Jakes is a homophobe, too. And hugely intolerant of differing opinions.

He treated Carlton Pearson like crap, because of a change in opinion. I'd be just as upset by TD Jakes.

[QC]

13. Not only a homophobe, but a crook as well.

The "prosperity gospel" heresy is, in its way, as ugly as Warren's bigotry.

[Critters2]

10. I would've preferred Carlton Pearson. An inclusive message

from someone who knows the challenges of taking an unpopular stand.

http://www.newdimensions.us/content.cfm?id=2014

[sandnsea]

12. It's about principles

And in your Presidential Inauguration, of all places, you should stand on your principles. That would include NOT inviting the Pope or any anti-gay, anti-woman Catholic to do the Invocation. There are plenty of progressive Catholics out there too.

[monmouth]

14. The Right is equally outraged. They feel Warren should recuse himself,

that he is praying for an abortionist, one who believes in infanticide, etc. They want Warren "shunned", etc. They're saying he is an opportunist of major proportions and are outraged he would condone to participating in the inauguration of the anti-Christ Muslim. So there you have it, the GLBT and Evangelical Fundamentalist communities agree. I have written myself to change.gov, and to be honest I do think Warren will be pulled out. I love Joe Lowery and hope he's the one chosen to give the prayer.

[Critters2]

16. Lowery is giving the benediction, which is less of a spot light than the prayer.

The whole thing is disgusting.

[phleshdef]

17. LOL, I knew I was gonna get slammed. Name me 1 person in the past 50 yrs that meets your approval.

Come on. Lets hear it.

And I'm sure no current prominent religious figure would meet your approval either.

[Bluebear]

20. "LOL" - - laugh it up.

[boppers]

24. Rev. William G. Sinkford

:evilgrin:

[yardwork]

22. Imagine complaining about this! Why, the man is practically a saint.

Rick Warren: But the issue to me is, I知 not opposed to that as much as I知 opposed to the redefinition of a 5,000-year definition of marriage. I知 opposed to having a brother and sister be together and call that marriage. I知 opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I知 opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that marriage.

Steven Waldman: Do you think, though, that they are equivalent to having gays getting married?

Rick Warren: Oh I do.

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2008/12/16/7415

People who complain about little things like this are just drama queens. Don't you agree?

[Bluenorthwest]

26. The point is that Warren is a political ACTIVIST

who just supported Prop 8 vocally. He equates gay people to pedophiles and practioners of inscest. And he does so with a clearly political agenda. This Prop 8 passed the same night Obama won. This is current news. It is as if Obama is celebrating Prop 8's passage along with his own victory.

My family is not here to be used as a tool to promote Barack's image with the right wing.

[tigereye]

29. having the Dalai llama do it would have been so cool!

but then China would freak out. Sigh. Why doesn't Obama have someone who runs a soup kitchen, or a homeless congregation, give a benediction?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

31. Actually, truth be told, all the resident Catholic bashers would have a field day if it was the Pope

Not that I'm anything of a fan of the current pontiff, but like many ordinary Catholic, I'm pragmatic and see both the good and bad in things regarding the church.

[a la izquierda]

32. The Committee and Obama should've picked...

Dr. Robin Meyers... at the Mayflower UCC in Oklahoma City. He's awesome.
http://www.mayflowerucc.org/staff/meyers.html

[LostinVA]

33. Wanna fucking bet?

ESPECIALLY if it was the Dalai Lama -- he is a major hhomophobe who preaches peace and tolerance. You know what you're getting with Pope Rat.

[qwlauren35]

34. TD JAKES??? Who supported Bush in 2004? Tell me you're kidding.

I'm speechless.