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 ...
I hear Evangelicals are leaning liberal now anyways.
a FRink for each time??? LOLOL
Looks like I posted too quickly, Rick has plenty of defenders on the thread on those issues.
hmmm no tie...................
It’s startin!
Wish I could have popcorn though. I’m just eatin sugar instead though :D
Why he have to lock up McCain in a cone?
How open of you.
BO gets standing ovation from media, BO is wearing a flag pin.
Please donot demean Napoleon in such a disgustingly perverted way!
You’re reading my mind, my FRiend! I was just thinking, “do either of these jerks own ties?”
Who will be in good company w/Barack Obama.
Who are the 3 people you listen to the most for advice?
BO- so many people constantly help shape my views and opinions, Michelle is not only wise but she is honest.
Grandmother is hidden away. He’s going to listen to MICHELLE???? Oh Lord...save us now.
;-)
Hi Tornado!
I’m bailing on this early... have the MUTE on and still can’t take it.
I’m here - how long - I’m not very.
Well looky here- Grandma is sitting back inside the bus...
Castro, Chavez & Jong-Il........
“My grandmother”???????? Isn’t she a typical white person????????
already switched channel...watching scantily clad women (mostly) run through Peking (I’m slow to change).
Who do you look up too? /question asked
guess who isn’t going to be mentioned! (which is kind of funny since he’s in a church)
Wow... I can’t believe he mentioned his grandmother though. I guess he pulled her from under the bus for a minute.
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