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 ...
Glad your conscience will be fine. Maybe you should sleep on Ayn Rand's words:
...To join such groups means to reverse the philosophical hierarchy and to sell out fundamental principles for the sake of some superficial political action which is bound to fail. It means that you help the defeat of your ideas and (hand) the victory to your enemies.
ping
Visit the site, Nana. It is managed by a black pastor and he GETS it.
Sanger is exposed on their site.
Y’all come
:)
There was a time when Jesse Jackson called abortion “Black genocide”, but of course that was before it was more politcally advantageous for him to be Pro “choice”. (Grrr I hate that label—it is pro-ABORTION!)
He probably would have said,,?
Let’s go huntin’ Paw Paw.
Pure country boy.
Who won the night?
The Lord and all of us who prayed in response to Spirit of Allegience’s call for prayer.
I’m very encouraged by how well and clearly Senator McCain answered the questions. I could tweak the answers here and there, but I do that to some of my own past answers.
Is it on Cspan 2 or 3? Your link is showing
Huckabee in a speech from Friday.
I still have mine too.
Which site ??????
Sights and sounds inside the candidates’ forum
The audience inside the auditorium was respectful, if not enthusiastic, toward both candidates.
There were a few more restrained moments, however, during Obamas interview versus McCains. During a commercial break, an audience member shouted an approval We love you, John that is usually a staple at Obama events.
Several hundred people watched from inside the auditorium, while thousands more viewed the forum from locations across the churchs sprawling campus
Warren wrapped up the event with a message to his detractors, who question his decision to question presidential candidates in a church.
We have to learn how to stop being rude, how to stop demonizing each other, how to have a discussion and a debate because we all want America to be a greater place, Warren said.
By Carrie Budoff Brown 10:31 PM
Politico.com
Prison tv is on my MSNBC.
Excellent!
After tonight, Barry will not do debates. But then, after tonight I think Mrs. Clinton just inched closer to the nomination. ;)
CNN approx 9:16 central, after interview of Obama,
suggesting McCain is painting Obama as the Anti-Christ,
Huh???????
.
The interviewer said it. Think it was David Broder(?), either way, I’d bet they can’t find an example, but CNN uses it anyhow
Kernberg.
It got extensive discussion two years ago. Perhaps that was what awakened so many of us tot he charade that is Rick Warren. His position on abortion, as stated in written material a few years back, exposes that he is not a Christian conservative. He is trying to ‘adjust’ public perception on him, which means he’s nuancing his position. The man has so few moral fibers it is painful to watch him when he is the focus. Perhaps that’s why this shame is putting on this spectacle.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.