Posted on 08/16/2008 11:59:35 AM PDT by XR7
LAKE FOREST, Calif. — When John McCain and Barack Obama appear on the same stage today, they will vividly demonstrate the reach that has made the Rev. Rick Warren among the most significant evangelists of his generation.
He's a megastar who leads the nation's fourth-largest church and reaches thousands of ministers through the Internet and crusades against poverty and AIDS. That globe-trotting work and his successful book — "The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?" — puts him at the vanguard of a movement that inspires young, socially conscious Christians.
But his willingness to soft-pedal political issues once central to U.S. evangelicals, such as opposition to abortion, has opened him to criticism that he has strayed from his calling to spread the Gospel.
Today's forum also is a sign of religion's importance in the 2008 presidential campaign, and the emergence of a new style of evangelical leadership on the national stage that is not tied to a single party and has broadened its social agenda beyond that of the religious right.
"This is absolutely a changing of the guard, and it suggests that the new guard of the evangelical movement is able to generate the attention and focus of both parties," said D. Michael Lindsay, a sociologist at Rice University and author of "Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite."
Warren personally invited the two candidates — "friends of mine" — via their cellphones. His event at the Saddleback Church will be broadcast live on CNN and Fox News Channel and streamed on the Web. It has among its aims "helping the church regain credibility and encouraging our society to return to civility," he said.
It's likely that fans and critics will be watching closely...
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
MY WORD!!
He is NAILING it!!
I cannot wait for the debates....
he has CREAMED Obama...
I LOVE the “my friends” touch!
BRILLIANT contrast to the elite Messiah
He sure does. Tsk tsk.
A: "With all due respect, Justice Ginsburg..."
Tells it like it is!!!!!!
..I'm feeling very ALONE on this thread...
..It's turning into a love fest....Sheeesh
Are you all so gullible?
Maybe Warren said no ties.
Stevens, Breyer base our courts on what other countries do... umm... that’s why we left.
Ginsie is just insane period. 12 year old girls, sex? Come on.
YES!
Lighten up, Francis.
Who else thought we were going to get a “In all do respect I can’t name names...yada yada instead of him actually calling these libs out-WOW!
Yes, Warren's eyes were darting quickly to the left and right -- it seemed to me that he didn't think McCain would be doing as good as he is.
I wish I could to.
Wonder if there is an immigration question in his future?
Grand Slam...
:)
If the worst you can find to complain about is his term “Friends”, he doesnt’ have much to worry about.
I’m stunned. This is a great performance.
Evil? DEFEAT IT!
I will... if I have to go get it.
I have friends in low places.
And he did it without one Uh uh uh uh..or stutter, unlike Obama who could hardly remember their names.
He keeps telling stories which show his has “experience”. Obama on the other hand....
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