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 ...
..and that he would defend the Constition against all enemies, foreign and domestic....
..didn't realize he qualified that point ....
..that foreign or domestic enemies are welcome if they can sneak into the country.
My point, and I do have one...is...
..people don't always reveal their true agenda until they have won you over...
..then it's usually too late (for you)
In 2004 I no doubt thought Warren was one of the 'good guys'....
..but I am very suspicious of the company he keeps lately.
I may tune in and be very surprised with his tough grilling of these two candidates...
..that would be refreshing!
But do you SERIOUSLY think either of them would attend if they thought they would be asked the HARD QUESTIONS?
Oh sheeeesh...are you serious!
Oh you have a way with words....Good on you!!
Please echo and pass on xr7’s call for prayers for our nation. What better time to come together to simultaneously ask the Lord to guide John McCain and for His blessing on our Nation?
“helping the church regain credibility and encouraging our society to return to civility,”
Yeah? Ten to nothing this guy is a voice for those ‘compassionate’ BIPARTISAN Open Borders “they’re just trying to feed their families” types. I don’t recall ANY religious leader being able to command the attention of both candidates in a ‘debate’, if you will. I know there is another thread about this, but it’s the first I’ve heard of it and the dang thing is tonight! Scary to think that both were willing to participate. I guess when the uprising begins, they’ll need some charismatic leader with a voice to control the masses via the churches and reign in the “vigilantes”.
The McCain/Obama chat Saturday at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest is turning out to be a major national affair. CNN, Fox News and MSNBC plan to cover it live. The church’s pastor, Rick Warren, was making the rounds Friday explaining how the event would be formated. According to City News Service:
Warren will separately question McCain and Obama for about an hour. A coin toss determined that Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, will answer questions first. Warren will then ask McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, the same questions. McCain will not be able to hear Obama’s responses, Warren told the Fox News Channel. “The primaries proved that Americans care deeply about the faith, values, character and leadership convictions of candidates as much as they do about the issues,” said Warren, author of the best-selling devotional book “The Purpose Driven Life.” “I will be raising questions ... beyond what political reporters typically ask. This includes pressing issues that are bridging divides in our nation, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate and human rights.” The questioning will be divided into four segments, Warren said. The initial segment will be on stewardship, with questions on the roles of government, the president and Constitution and “what they believe about the direction of our government,” Warren said.
There seems to be various folks listed as Bush’s pastor.
Probably the one who would qualify is the Rector of St. John’s Episcopal Church in D.C. where Bush attends on Sundays. The Rector is The Rev. Dr. Luis León.
Bush is born and raised Episcopal and has attended this church since he became President.
Yea, I know he became a Methodist but the above is what
he does.
..and you can BET they will be unvarnished :)
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
...but I sure remember Kirbyjon.
Amen.
human rights
______________________________________
The AMNESTY Bill ?????
The two-hour session will be produced by the church itself and carried live on CNN, CSPAN, FOX, MSNBC and Daystar, a Christian television network, and live-streamed on the Internet by, among others, the church (saddlebackcivilforum.com) and Readers Digest (readersdigest.com).
Watching from inside the church will be 550 members of the news media.
Gitmo-torture
Dream on...:^
Waterboarding...
Panties on the head...
Equally traumatizing.....
During his speech to a crowd of nearly 10,000 people, the senator, a member of Trinity UCC in Chicago, criticized division within the Church, but praised Christian leaders and groups that have worked together to remedy social problems.
“That’s why pastors, friends of mine like Rick Warren and T.D. Jakes and organizations like World Vision and Catholic Charities are wielding their enormous influence to confront poverty, HIV/AIDS, and the genocide in Darfur,” Obama said.
:)
He told me to save my stomach....he read that Warren will address common ground....issues.
In other words ...pc stuff....
..I truly doubt he will ask Obama why he endorses partial birth abortion...
..or ask McCain why he wants to give the country over to rule of law breaking illegals.
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