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 ...
Thanks! Now I remember. Really a hard time for old Barry.
McCain = Hero
Rick Warren doesn't wear them. That's the reason. They'd be overdressed.
McCain telling POW stories.........Obama can’t touch this......
Nicely said. The Nobama segment was dreadful ... like a symposium for speech pathologists.
So far, McCain is nailing it.
Warren might not have done this if he knew McCain was going to do all these POW stories.
good god there are a lot of campaign videos that will be made from his answers here
Wonder if Barry's got an Edwards problem....
McCain is doing very well
Yes oh my gosh, yes he DID, he said it “was above” his “paygrade”!
Oh my, now McCain is pulling out the torture in Vietnam, and his belief in Christ. No matter what I may think about his personal conduct in his first marriage, I have NO question about his loyalty to America...
Good GRIEF! McCain is terrific! Who knew I could almost like him?
The comparison between McCain and Obama is stark. McCain has substance...someone lives there.
Good GRIEF! McCain is terrific! Who knew I could almost like him?
The comparison between McCain and Obama is stark. McCain has substance...someone lives there.
Get to the hard questions!
is this pastor dood a conservative?
He’s just introspective after throwing flowers in the ocean where he left his Mothers ashes /s
None, they would have gotten in the way of all those softballs being pitched up.
McCain does not appear nervous, while Barry was messing his pants.
@@@@@@
Adult versus kid
Just two Christians , worshipping together.. Amen.
He is telling the Christian guard story. It relates.
AT THE MOMENT OF CONCEPTION
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