Organizing for America | faith harris's Blog: Rick Warren is not the End of the World.

Rick Warren is not the End of the World.

By Faith - Dec 19th, 2008 at 2:36 am EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Comments | Mail to a Friend | Report Objectionable Content

I am not crazy about Rick Warren's theology. It is based upon a literal and patriarchal reading of the biblical texts. I can think of many more ministers who would do a wonderful job ushering in the inaugural exercise. Having said that, I don't think that it is as big a deal as so many are making it. It is only a prayer - he is not being appointed to the cabinet!

I understand that he is the last person that the GLBT community want to see or hear from on this day, especially so close to Proposition 8 vote in California. But the problem is that we are too divided as a nation. How can those of us on the left advocate that Barack do what Bush and those on the right did to us for eight years? They didn't listen to us, they didn't include us, they didn't treat us as fellow citizens. Barack is making the statement that this kind of intolerance and imperialism is over. How can we fault him for this? Besides, he told us many times that he was going to do this. We rejected the attempts of the right to disqualify Barack because of his associations - remember Rev. Wright and remember Bill Ayers? Why are we falling into the same trap? Barack is no Rick Warren and because he includes him in the public dialog (his presidency) it doesn't make him like him nor should it disqualify him.

Either we believe in inclusion as an American ideal "out of many one" or we don't. I, for one, do. As much as it pains me to have to listen to Rick Warren and his type - I will. They will not change my view, but I will listen and give them the respect. They have the right to their beliefs. I will also work very hard to thwart any and all attempts for their beliefs to become law for everyone else. By talking to people like Rick Warren - we have the opportunity to challenge his views in the day light. He may not change, but we can demonstrate how very bad they are. As long as we do not talk to each other, we will never be able to demonstrate the justice of our various causes.

We all need to grow up and be mature - this is what democracy is about.

Reader Comments	Comments RSS
Comments are closed for this post.

Building bridges | Report to Admin

By Torgny V.O.B. Dec 19th 2008 at 7:00 am EST (Updated Dec 19th 2008 at 7:00 am EST)

I think that Warren is a man who does his best to serve humanity. not only with words but with action. He helps the poor, those with diseases and much more. He is advocating a fight against what he calls "the five Global Goliaths – spiritual emptiness, egocentric leadership, extreme poverty, pandemic disease, and illiteracy/poor education."

Many of us have been critical of Bush's intolerance and limitations of freedom. If we does not think that someone should speak the 20th January because he belongs to another ideology, we are no different.

Well said! | Report to Admin

By Tiffany from Laurel, MD Dec 19th 2008 at 8:21 am EST (Updated Dec 19th 2008 at 8:21 am EST)

Thank you for that beautiful commentary, Faith. Your right -- we will never see real change if we just dress the same hostile, non-inclusive behavior up in different clothes. Thank you for this poignant post.

Funny you should mention this. | Report to Admin

By Thomas from Burbank, CA Dec 20th 2008 at 3:08 am EST (Updated Dec 20th 2008 at 3:08 am EST)

I just blogged about this on my blog. Please check it out and let me know what you think.
Link

Content on blogs in My.BarackObama represents the opinions of community members and in no way should be interpreted as endorsed or approved by the campaign.