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 ...
He doesn’t answer ANY question!
RW has no shame.
RW “I know this is a very complex issue” do what????????
My Goodness he an arse!....
No answer..
It’s above my paygrade.. I’m not pro abortion??
Obambi says that's above his pay grade.
Give me a break. It's a question of right or wrong.
Abortion!!!
I did NOT expect THAT question...
kudos.
Whoops, O says that question is “above his pay grade”? He can’t HANDLE the question?
Has he ever?
When does a baby get human rights ???
Ooooooooooooooooooooooo
Obama will NOT answer the question..have you ever voted to limit or reduce abortions? Obama says he has.
I have no idea what he is talking about on abortion, he’s just going around in circles.
Messiah.
Good question “have you ever voted to limit abortions?”
In favor of late term abortions restrictions my butt.
How do we re-dusssss the number of abortions?
You outlaw them!!! God help and forgive us...
at what point does a baby get human rights in your view?
Obama says the question is above his pay grade
@@@@@
That’s a quote that will not be forgotten.
Obama is lying!!!
He is not opposed to limits on partial birth abortion!
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