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 ...
You have Freepmail
I’m very glad I was able to see this tonight _____________________________________
same here....
Make that three. I was for Hunter, then Thompson, and then Romney. Now, I think I'm actually for McCain.
note he responded LIGHTING FAST on that answer.
That is just as important in that answer.
Obama’s sloooow answer was basicly “see you later baby tell me what’cha gon-n-did.”
Well he is ancient.
It would be nice if John picked Duncan HUnter, to give him four years of face time for 2012. But it isn’t likely that McCain will be so rational. I’m betting he picks Cantor or Pawlenty. It would not surprise me if he picked Graham though ... McCain likes to have a yes man in the wings.
I'm an orphan. I should also mention I'm 62 years old and my parents, may God bless them and keep them, lived to a ripe old age.
Why do I only get my pings?
I think y’all are getting a little too giddy about this one, personally.
But McCain did have the better night, and Warren did nothing to ambush him. So I was wrong about that.
It’s not the first time, it won’t be the last time.
Stealin’ that one fer shur!
Have at it ... LOL.
Joe Loya said he saw us on TV
Hunter..YES
Cantor would be great too...
But with Hunter we could have
Hunter/Cantor 2012, 2016
Then Cantor for the next 8
But i can dream cant I ??????????
I’m wid ya on that one!
I’m with you - people on this forum can truly love to hate. Very sad.
Jow Loya, Monica’s Dad ????
How are they all doing ???
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.