1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Inauguration Prayer

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Dr. Bob, Dec 18, 2008.

  1. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2000
    Messages:
    30,285
    Likes Received:
    507
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I'm surpised that Obama picked Warren to give the invocation at inauguration. The gay left and other left wingers are outraged and may cause this to be a major distraction at Obama's coronation, er, I mean, inauguration.

    FROM POLITICO.COM:

    Gay leaders furious with Obama
    By: Ben Smith and Nia-Malika Henderson
    December 18, 2008 08:23 AM EST

    Barack Obama’s choice of a prominent evangelical minister to deliver the invocation at his inauguration is a conciliatory gesture toward social conservatives who opposed him in November, but it is drawing fierce challenges from a gay rights movement that – in the wake of a gay marriage ban in California – is looking for a fight.
    Rick Warren, the senior pastor of Saddleback Church in southern California, opposes abortion rights but has taken more liberal stances on the government role in fighting poverty, and backed away from other evangelicals’ staunch support for economic conservatism. But it’s his support for the California constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage that drew the most heated criticism from Democrats Wednesday.

    “Your invitation to Reverend Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at your inauguration is a genuine blow to LGBT Americans,” the president of Human Rights Campaign, Joe Solomonese, wrote Obama Wednesday. “[W]e feel a deep level of disrespect when one of architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination.”

    The rapid, angry reaction from a range of gay activists comes as the gay rights movement looks for an opportunity to flex its political muscle. Last summer gay groups complained, but were rebuffed by Obama, when an “ex-gay” singer led Obama’s rallies in South Carolina. And many were shocked last month when voters approved the California ban.

    “There is a lot of energy and there’s a lot of anger and I think people are wanting to direct it somewhere,” Solomonese told Politico.

    The selection of Warren to preside at the inauguration is not a surprise move, but it is a mirror image of President Bill Clinton’s early struggles with issues of gay rights. Obama has worked, and at times succeeded, to bridge the gap between Democrats and evangelical Christians, who form a solid section of the Republican base.
    Obama opposes same-sex marriage, but also opposed the California constitutional amendment Warren backed. In selecting Warren, he is choosing to reach out to conservatives on a hot-button social issue, at the cost of antagonizing gay voters who overwhelmingly supported him.

    Clinton, by contrast, drew early praise from gay rights activists by pressing to allow openly gay soldiers to serve, only to retreat into the “don’t ask, don’t tell” compromise that pleased few.

    The reaction Wednesday in gay rights circles was universally negative.

    “It’s a huge mistake,” said California gay rights activist Rick Jacobs, who chairs the state’s Courage Campaign. “He’s really the wrong person to lead the president into office.

    “Can you imagine if he had a man of God doing the invocation who had deliberately said that Jews are not going to be saved and therefore should be excluded from what’s going on in America? People would be up in arms,” he said.

    The editor of the Washington Blade, Kevin Naff, called the choice “Obama’s first big mistake.”

    “His presence on the inauguration stand is a slap in the faces of the millions of GLBT voters who so enthusiastically supported him,” Naff wrote, referring to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. “This tone-deafness to our concerns must not be tolerated. We have just endured eight years of endless assaults on our dignity and equality from a president beholden to bigoted conservative Christians. The election was supposed to have ended that era. It appears otherwise.”

    Other liberal groups chimed in.

    “Rick Warren gets plenty of attention through his books and media appearances. He doesn’t need or deserve this position of honor,” said the president of People for the American Way, Kathryn Kolbert, who described Warren as “someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of millions of Americans.”

    Warren’s spokeswoman did not respond to a message seeking comment, but he has tried to blend personal tolerance with doctrinal disapproval of homosexuality.

    “I have many gay friends, I’ve eaten dinner in gay homes. No church has probably done more for people with AIDS than Saddleback Church,” he said in a recent interview with BeliefNet.

    In the same interview, he compared the “redefiniton of a marrige” to include gay marriage to legitimizing incest, child abuse, and polygamy.

    Obama’s move may deepen some apparent distance between him among gays and lesbians, one of the very few core Democratic groups among whom his performance was worse than John Kerry’s in 2004. Exit polls suggested that John McCain won 27% of the gay vote in November, up four points from Bush’s 2004 tally – even as almost all other voters slid toward Obama.

    But despite the symbolism of picking Warren, Obama is likely to shift several substantive policy areas in directions that will please gay voters and their political leaders, including a pledge to end “don’t ask, don’t tell” in military service.

    And some gay activists were holding out hope that they would either persuade Obama to dump Warren or Warren to change his mind.

    “Rick Warren did a real disservice to gay families in California and across the country by casually supporting our continued exclusion from marriage,” said the founder of the pro-same sex marriage Freedom to Marry, Evan Wolfson. “I hope in the spirit of the new era that’s dawning, he will open his heart and speak to all Americans about inclusion and our country’s commitment to equality.”
     
  2. KenH

    KenH Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 18, 2002
    Messages:
    41,907
    Likes Received:
    1,469
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I am not surprised. President-elect Obama is not the radical left-winger that some people on the right-wing try to make him out to be.
     
  3. rbell

    rbell Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2006
    Messages:
    11,103
    Likes Received:
    0
    You know who will get really beat up here? Rick Warren.

    The Warren-haters (many of whom frequent the BB) will bash him for associating with Obama.

    The gays are already beating him up.

    He'll get pummelled.
     
  4. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    I suspect that there are some conservative American Christians who bash both Obama and Warren who can now bash two birds with one stone with this news.
     
    #4 NaasPreacher (C4K), Dec 18, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 18, 2008
  5. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Messages:
    18,441
    Likes Received:
    259
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I'm with you Ken. Look at his picks for his cabinet, basically middle of the road people, even some Republicians. I can see why far right wingers are scratching their heads with a look on their faces of, "What's going on." Obama is not living up to their criticisms and their prophecies of socialism and communism. So far I have been favorably impressed with his actions. Time will tell how things will work out. I am doing what I did when Bush entered office in 2000, waiting for the proof in the pudding which will come out by the end of the second year.

    CK4, I believe you are correct, of course there are Americans who call themselves Christian who will criticize Obama regardless of what he does.
     
  6. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    I definitely DID NOT support the president elect in any way, shape, or manner.

    I am not a huge fan of Rick Warren.

    But this certainly seems like a wise, encompassing choice.
     
  7. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2000
    Messages:
    30,285
    Likes Received:
    507
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Billy Graham was "America's Pastor" to the last generation. I think Rick has replaced him in the minds of most.

    And yes, the haters will be out in force. The glass "half empty" crowd is always vocal instead of praising God for a glass "half full"

    :BangHead:
     
  8. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    Here's how it will play out.

    Remember that outreach picnic that Rick and his church had for the Muslims in his community (sorry if the details are slightly off or sketchy)

    And every one knows that Obama is a Muslim.

    'RICK WARREN TO OFFER COMPROMISING MUSLIM PRAYER AS OBAMA COMES OUT OF CLOSET AS GAY MUSLIM MARXIST FROM KENYA!!!'
     
    #8 NaasPreacher (C4K), Dec 18, 2008
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 18, 2008
  9. Mexdeaf

    Mexdeaf New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2005
    Messages:
    7,051
    Likes Received:
    3
    Hey I saw that headline on the National Enquirer at the supermarket today!!
     
  10. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2004
    Messages:
    11,139
    Likes Received:
    1
    There are many of us who do not agree with some things RW has said and/or done but are not "Warren-haters" or "bashers."

    I resent such a broad category (though I know there are some who really dislike RW strongly).

    This is no different than liberals who say Christians who oppose homosexuality are "homophobes."

    Can we discuss this without using the term "Warren-haters" or "bashers?"

    Btw, I don't have a problem with RW praying at the Inauguration.
     
  11. rbell

    rbell Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2006
    Messages:
    11,103
    Likes Received:
    0
    I am referring to people who refer to him as a heretic, etc., and make intentional falsehoods regarding him. I have no problem with folks disagreeing with facets of RW's theology, approach, and the like.
     
  12. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2006
    Messages:
    11,537
    Likes Received:
    1
    I think we're in for 4 years of many surprises. Like Ken said, Obama is not who people painted him to be. He really wants to bring all views to the table of discussion to see if we can find common ground and list the things where we agree to disagree so we can move on.
     
  13. LeBuick

    LeBuick New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2006
    Messages:
    11,537
    Likes Received:
    1
    Classic... Now that would be front page... :laugh: :thumbs:
     
  14. PaulTimothyFaithfulman

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2008
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    Obama is as left wing as politicians get- in almost area.

    Abortion stance?- check
    - Opposed born-alive treatment law because it was already law. (Oct 2008)
    - Supports Roe v. Wade. (Jul 1998)
    - Voted NO on defining unborn child as eligible for SCHIP. (Mar 2008)
    - Voted NO on prohibiting minors crossing state lines for abortion. (Mar 2008)
    - Voted YES on expanding research to more embryonic stem cell lines. (Apr 2007)
    - Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (Jul 2006)
    - Rated 0% by the NRLC, indicating a pro-choice stance. (Dec 2006)

    Gay Rights-yup

    - Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage. (Jul 2008)
    - Being gay or lesbian is not a choice. (Nov 2007)
    - Decisions about marriage should be left to the states. (Oct 2007)
    - Homosexuality no more immoral than heterosexuality. (Oct 2007)
    - Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already. (Sep 2007)
    - Has any marriage broken up because two gays hold hands? (Aug 2007)
    - We need strong civil unions, not just weak civil unions. (Aug 2007)

    Military Strength- triple check

    Affirmative Action- check, check, check, and check
    - Remove discriminatory barriers to the right to vote. (Feb 2008)
    - Benefited from affirmative action but overcame via merit. (Dec 2007)
    - Include class-based affirmative action with race-based. (Oct 2007)
    - Better enforce women’s pay equity via Equal Pay Act. (Aug 2007)

    Universal Healthcare/ HUGE Government- Need I continue

    The only exception- to some extent- is fiscal issues.

    This is not all my work- most of the bulleted points come from ontheissues.com
     
  15. PaulTimothyFaithfulman

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2008
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    as for Warren doing the prayer- I have no probelm with it at all.

    Somebody has to right?
     
  16. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2004
    Messages:
    7,406
    Likes Received:
    101
    I think it's terrific. A good move by the President-elect all around.

    This will be the first time we have not had Rev. Billy Graham bring the invocation. I'm ecstatic that Pastor Warren will be able to and that he is a man just as committed to the Gospel as Rev. Graham. (I know there will be many who disagree...please keep it to yourself.)

    Also this has really started to backfire on the homosexual advocacy groups who are lambasting President-elect Obama. They are saying that this one decision has destroyed their hopes and dreams and President-elect Obama is betraying them out of the gate. Not a wise press move here. It will ultimately show their political impotence imho.

    Also, I too don't think the President-elect will legislate as a hard leftist. I really believe he is one who wants all points of view at the table and, while certainly having his views, will earnestly seek what is best for the country in his governance. :)
     
  17. Navymans

    Navymans New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2008
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    0

    Same here I did not vote for the president elect but it is my duty as a american to support my elected president. But Rick Warren is not a person I care to listen too.
     
  18. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2005
    Messages:
    9,031
    Likes Received:
    2
    Rush Limbaugh observed this week that the liberals need not worry about Mr. Obama's selection of RW to pray. He hasn't changed any of his plans.

    Rush also observed that after the inauguration, he'll be done. The White House won't even take his calls.
     
  19. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2003
    Messages:
    26,806
    Likes Received:
    80
    Kewl - now the mighty omniscient Rush is a prophet. He can observe things before they happen.
     
  20. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    You're mistaken.The first presidential invocation Billy Graham gave was at George H.W. Bush's inauguration on Jan.20,1993.He gave the prayer at Clinton's inauguration on Jan. 20,1993.Franklin Graham gave the invocation for Geoge W. Bush in 2001;not Billy.
     
Loading...