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 ...
Obama uh uh lead by example uh uh uh rule of law uh uh uh
economy
trade with China ????
you traitor...
This is a treasure of future ads...where to start?
What a total putz the O is...
MOgirl
torture..moral standing
Barney would be more believable.
Understood. That's what makes this an exercise in futility.
Hi, Nana.
Do you know anyone who is being tortured?
Do we get to drink each time we hear “my friend”? :)
Well, if you start with parental responsibility and stop taxpayer funding of abortion, it’s a start. When a woman does have a child, why should the dad stick around, he let’s the state raise the kid... it’s the culture, thanks to abortion and the contraceptive mentality.
Warren, I dare him ask about Christian murders in Kenya by Odinga’s MOU partners the muslims. Christians are getting killed hand over fist.
God help us!
Imagine Joe six pack watching this and getting lost in all Barry's UH's and UMmmm's.
The DEMS HAVE A PROBLEM.
how do you end slavery Obama . yeah Obama uh uh ..better tools to prosecute .. yeah that is it .. Like former Gov. Spitz..uh uh uh
LOL. First, let’s all bow our heads and have a walk off grand slam at the end of the segment.
Hmmm... get the feeling O meant religious freedom mainly for one certain group?
OBAMA JUST SAID CLARENCE THOMAS DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE TO SERVE ON THE COURT: Kinda ironic, huh? (Scalia’s qualified, but Obama wouldn’t have nominated him). Just turned off the TiVo and his appearance with Rick Warren was on.
UPDATE: Ouch: “Rick Warren seems more interested in being pals with whomever winds up president than getting real answers.” Will that hold true for his McCain interview, too? Probably.
http://www.pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/archives2/022986.php
How do you get from religious tolerance to engaging in torture in the US without meaning Gitmo ????
I was talking a while back uh uh uh uh ..
Do we get to drink each time we hear “my friend”? :)
LOL OK, but we’ll all be drunk within the first 15 minutes.
No, please.. I only have three bottles of vodka.
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