Friend of Rick Warren gives a thumbs down on the invocation...

[cynatnite]

snip:
"I don't think he acquitted himself very well," said Randall Balmer, a professor of American religious history at Columbia University who considers Warren a friend. "To lead the nation in saying the Lord's Prayer, which is so particularly Christian, was a mistake."

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-inaug-warren21-2009jan21,0,2900989.story?track=rss

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. I was listening to a radio in another room

because I was at work, and didn't catch all his words, but I thought his delivery was weak and uninspiring, quite unlike Rev. Lowery.

[JerseygirlCT]

11. I didn't get to hear all of Lowery's - (parking garage and spotty

radio), but I just read the whole text... Whew. Yeah. That's what it's supposed to be. Beautiful.

Imagine how much more moving had Gene Robinson given today's invocation and Joseph Lowery the benediction? Inclusive, open, loving...

[baldguy]

2. I think it was perfect.

Warren was weak, uninspiring & partisan - while Lowery was anything but.

[k8conant]

3. Maybe it was an AA meeting /nt

[peacetalksforall]

4. I haven't been able to read all the messages, but I think something great

appened on DU!!! Rick Warren was a non event today - on stage and on DU (from what I've seen). Perhaps it is because his invocation was dull and there was no memorable message. I hope it's over. Let him evaporate from DU - unless he pulls another prop 8 type theft.

[glitch]

7. He was mediocre at best, which makes sense. His type only work well in the shadows.

Edit to add: and with people who have yet to achieve mediocrity.

Once he's exposed he's yet another dud. If that is the result Obama intended I bow to his brilliance.

[Ocracoker16]

5. I am a Christian and I give it a big thumbs down

How insensitive can he be? I am a Christian and I do say the Lord's Prayer, but I really disagree with him using it. I am offended by it, because I know that it took some of the joy away from the inauguration ceremony for many attendees. Obama had characterized this inauguration as the most accessible and inclusive inauguration in history. That was consistent with his emphasis on unity since the beginning of the campaign. Obama acknowledged that America is a diverse nation, and he urged us to come together in the common cause of taking back the country. Rick Warren turned that on its head by using the Lord's prayer which is not common to all Americans. Infact, it is not even common to all Christians as not all denominations use it. His invocation only served to remind us of our differences. This inauguration was meant to be for everyone and Rick Warren stripped away some of the feeling of belonging and being included that underscored the event. I am an Episcopalian and I have very high respect for Rev. Gene Robinson. I might be a little biased towards him, but I feel that his invocation on Sunday was far superior to the one Rick Warren did today. Gene made a very big effort to write a prayer that was not offensive. He put his bible aside, because he understood that this prayer was for everyone not just him. Rick Warren wrote a prayer that resounded well with himself and his followers. I had very low expectations for him, but obviously they weren't low enough.

[undeterred]

8. For Warren, it was inclusive

which isn't saying much.

[MadMaddie]

9. Welcome to DU!

Warren's prayer was such a contradiction to the way he lives and really preaches. He is a hypocrit! I had no expectations......

:hi:

[JerseygirlCT]

13. Well said. Totally agree. nt

[JerseygirlCT]

6. Yes, yes it was. A big ugly mistake.

And I'm Christian. But I couldn't participate in a prayer that seemed so intentionally divisive and exclusive.

But it did occur to me that Obama's statements in his speech - including everyone - just made him look even better when compared to Warren's invocation.

[Orangepeel]

10. he stunk up the place.

with what he said and how he said it. that's the silver lining in Warren being picked. he was singled out for an honor he didn't deserve, but came off looking like a fool.

[JuniperLea]

12. That is exactly what I said...

If I were a Jew or a Muslim, I would be hella offended!! I'm Agnostic, and I'm still offended!! My sigline stands.

[Generator]

14. Wow reading some of this stuff

about the Lord's Prayer-I don't even know what you are talking about. It's anti-Catholic or something? ANYWAY, as the child of atheists and someone who is not religious, I have to say the biggest disappointment of the day was still Obama's pick of Warren. EVEN if he wasn't a homophobe-which I talk great offense to,and anti-women-which I take great offense to-HE WAS DULL AND AVERAGE as dishwater. This was a "great, inspiring" preacher???? He was so AVERAGE. So dull. So uninspiring. I can't believe Obama picked that guy.

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. I thought it was wonderful

that it was so sucky and bad.

It exposed him as the cheap charlatan he is. His quivering voice
will be silenced soon on the world stage.

The reviews are in and they are not good.
just do a google search.

[norepubsin08]

16. Fuck Warren he's an insensitive fat ass douche bag!!!

I hope he gets impaled tripping over a crucifix