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=>I want people to know me well
and he missed that opportunity by not going on town hall meetings with McCain
if we pretend everything is free and are not willing to make sacrifices......
“You’re reading my mind, my FRiend! I was just thinking, “do either of these jerks own ties?”
We’re a long way from the Reagan years...
A: "...I have the ability to build bridges..."
Pabulum.
This self-righteous, vapid, preachy tripe is starting to grind on me.
No repicusions...
No drilling ???
Oh oh
Higher prices...
Standing O for the big turd.
I am kind of warming up to McCain....I’ll hold my nose and vote for him.
He wastes his last moment with the audience by basically telling us that he will be raising our taxes.
The crucifixion is ready to start. Ol’ Rick is a slick little devil!
That is due to poor lighting. People of color have that problem all the time on camera... seriously it is the lighting.
Mac and O hug..... awwww
He's talking about abortion.
Obama didn’t mention his Kenyan goatherder fathers parents..
Yes it is easy Obambi.
Drill!
Warren makes 4 of O
First published in 1611.
How utterly preposterous!
Pretend everything is freeeeeeeeeeeeee?
all he wants is money!
everything to him is about the people giving gov’t money!!!
then Ricky has to ask everyone to STAND so that Obama got his standing “O”
BITE ME! RICK!
Stop sucking.....biting tongue
What happened with cajungirl?
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