twirlgrrl | Now this icon is a bit ironic

I'm having a hard time with this Rick Warren thing. I mean, I understand the whole inclusive, big-tent idea. In principle I think that's a great idea. But you have to draw the line somewhere. This guy says some pretty noxious things about gay people--noxious, unkind, mean-spirited things.

I just realized as I was watching a news clip about this that I have one of Warren's books--a very sweet and earnest lady gave it to me, and I haven't had a chance to read it to figure out whether there's anything there for me. Ha! I guess that goes to show you how pro-big-tent I am. I try not to hide from the ideas of any particular segment of society, with the exclusion of racists. I've had enough racism, I don't need any more, thanks. But I think that the inauguration is the wrong place to bring such a divisive figure. There will be no debate, no exchange of ideas. It's supposed to be an inspiring moment. It makes me really sad to think that the moment will be marred by this guy. Personally, I'd rather have Jeremiah Wright give the invocation.

I have a feeling that Obama is not the back-down type, though.

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I would be happy to have Wright do it -- because in the end, the things he said in context weren't wrong.

(Just posted my letter to Change.gov. I do not thing my words will change anything, though.)

Exactly. IMO anyone who was shocked by anything Wright said is hopelessly naive and/or hasn't been paying attention.

I just saw your post after I posted this. I'll send something on that site too. But yeah, it doesn't seem likely that he'll change his mind. Dang it.

I have to think Obama has a plan for this. He's made such intelligent choices for the people he will work with during his presidency - there's got to be a damn good reason he chose Warren for the inaugural speech. I bet the guy will preach about working together from both sides of the debate. At least that's what I'm hoping for.

I don't know... I think he's doing the invocation. Isn't that just a prayer? I don't think he'll say anything else.

I want to feel OK about this, but I don't. I think that the guy is a bigot. And I don't think Obama would invite a racist to pray for him, so why invite another kind of bigot? It's disappointing. I'm not, like, suddenly done with Obama or anything--I still like the guy and I'm still glad he's going to be president. But I am very disappointed about this.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Yeah, it's just an invocation prayer but he could still pray that both sides of the divide work together, kwim? I have to believe that there's been a ton of discussion about it and that Obama has told him that he's not allowed to discuss anything pertaining to GLBT issues or anything else controversial. A simple prayer - that's it. I hope...!

Eh he's a politician, you'll only be kicking yourself in the face if you have a standard for his behavior. Just accept the fact that he will probably do a lot of awful/questionably things it's an occupational hazard.

Thanks, sunshine! ;) I can be realistic about it but that doesn't mean I have to accept it. I can still speak out. And that's one of the things I value most about this country. Seriously.

The thing that pisses me off about it is that people then assume that Rick Warren represents Christianity - or at least the mainstream Christian. Personally, I think he's an ass that has done more to destroy what Christianity is really about than anything. He's right up there with what's his name down in Texas with the used-car salesman bend on Christianity. Let's water down what the bible really says, lets focus on the feel good stuff, and lets see how many bodies we can get crammed into a stadium-sized church. Then lets get mixed up in politics and see where we go!

It's the whole give the hearers what they want. I honestly don't know what Warren said about homosexuality, so I can't comment on it. But I'd almost be willing to put money on the fact that he'll probably totally change his stand on it - or at least reword it to become more acceptible in the eyes of all.

I'm really really really bugged by the people who supposedly represent Christianity these days. It seems like, since we're charged with being humble and not prideful, any "Christian" who relishes the public eye enough to make himself a celebrity should be looked upon with extreme skepticism.

What he says is almost beside the point--it's what he's ALREADY said, who he is, that's the problem. But yes, I hope that if he does end up giving the invocation, he doesn't say anything offensive, and the world keeps turning, and we keep talking about human rights and learning to love each other.

Yep, I agree. I wonder what on earth Obama was thinking choosing him?!

The only thing I can figure out is that he has been really making an obvious effort to choose members of his staff who are from all along the spectrum, you know? I suppose in an effort to make all of America feel more... included...? Which I think is awesome and shows he understands he was elected by only about 50% of the citizens of the US. That said, um - what a weird choice.

I guess I'd be interested to see what Obama himself says about the choice and how he defends it. Have you seen anything about that? I haven't looked since this morning so I don't know if the story has been updated. But I figure when he does address it, I expect to read something about how he doesn't agree with his stance but finds him an inspiring religious figure or something like that.

Time will tell! :)

I couldn't have said it better myself

I've read a couple of other articles that helped me understand why Warren might have been chosen, but this one by Melissa Etheridge was very heartening.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-etheridge/the-choice-is-ours-now_b_152947.html

Excellent kiddeaux icon! Imma have to make me one of those!

You know when Lincoln asked his biggest enemies to be in his cabinet he was probably inviting some major assholes who he thought were very wrong but he also recognized that wrong, to a degree, is a matter of experience and perspective.

Obama including a bigoted Xian is big tent for real. It's American for real. He is actually trying to undo some of the partisan damage I think; get us all at the table and re-invent ourselves as one nation.

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
~ attributed to Voltaire

LOVE IT.

Aw, thank you! Someone on my FL made it for me and I adore it! :)

Yes, and I can halfway understand... I mean, we are actually a 50/50 country right now, or maybe like 51/49, and I think that squaring off as enemies all the time is not serving us well.

My heart just breaks for my friends for whom this is so hurtful. That's the crux of it to me. It feels like salt in a very fresh wound. So even though I can see what you are saying, and can even feel hopeful about it in a way, it still makes me really sad. I think that's my biggest problem with it.

Interesting, thanks! As I was reading that I was thinking yeah, OK, he's a nice guy and all... if he regrets saying what he said, why is he not apologizing publicly? Now is his moment! We're listening!

I think that I am mostly reacting to my friends' pain. This is a very hurtful time and it's hard to feel inclusive when the anguish of the passing of prop 8 (among other measures) is so fresh. I appreciate Melissa Etheridge's perspective too... I know that several of my friends, at least, are too hurt and angry to take on that cooperative spirit at this point.

Now this icon is a bit ironic

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