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 ...
Not a TKO! a Bloody COMA Knockout! Period! YAA HOO!
The media will find a way. They always do.
Ditto!
Amnesty is important to all of us. However, the choice is McCain or BO. Not hard to decide between the two of them.
Michael Phelps is great. Every time that guy wins the american national anthem is played in china.
Oh my goodness... you just hit what it is about him.
Haven’t heard yer yap flappin’ in a while. You impressed by McCain, too?
I really liked that answer. I never heard that story before. I’m really liking McCain tonight.
The DUmp is totally distressed, it musta been good.
Agreed and by following Obama it really exposed the differences between them.
What’s worth dying for?
FREEDOM.
BEST ANSWER!!
I have no idea what Obama said...but it was vague and intellectual...
Hawaii is known for “good” marijuana.
You are correct I assume
I missed Obama ...and just caught a bit of McCaine so I cant really judge but what I have seen of McCaine so far he is damn good!
JOhn has made the case for why we ought to elect him, now he needs to pick a conservative to carry the mantra after his tenutre. Duncan HUnter needs the exposure being VP would afford him. He can do the job of leading, Americans need to see him doing that!
That’s a very good idea, TakechargeBob, but I imagine that Rick Warren owns the copyright to this show, and wouldn’t release it for McCain.
Say what you like Warren, but he knows how to make money (Hey, ya gotta have a purpose in a “purpose-driven life,” right?)
That little skinny ass has to smart.
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