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Warren's inauguration prayer could draw more ire
AP (via Yahoo) ^ | 12/30/08 | RACHEL ZOLL

Posted on 12/30/2008 5:16:29 PM PST by Mr. Mojo

President-elect Barack Obama's choice of Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation drew one kind of protest. Whether the evangelical pastor offers the prayer in the name of Jesus may draw another. At George W. Bush's 2001 swearing-in, the Revs. Franklin Graham and Kirbyjon Caldwell were criticized for invoking Christ. The distinctly Christian reference at a national civic event offended some, and even prompted a lawsuit.

Warren did not answer directly when asked whether he would dedicate his prayer to Jesus. In a statement Tuesday to The Associated Press, Warren would say only that, "I'm a Christian pastor so I will pray the only kind of prayer I know how to pray."

"Prayers are not to be sermons, speeches, position statements nor political posturing. They are humble, personal appeals to God," Warren wrote. His spokesman would not elaborate.

Evangelicals generally expect their clergymen to use Jesus' name whenever and wherever they lead prayer. Many conservative Christians say cultural sensitivity goes way too far if it requires religious leaders to hide their beliefs.

"If Rick Warren does not pray in Jesus' name, some folks are going to be very disappointed," Caldwell said in a recent phone interview. "Since he's evangelical, his own tribe, if you will, will have some angst if he does not do that."

Advocates for gay rights protested Obama's decision to give Warren a prominent role at the swearing-in. The California megachurch founder supported Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in his home state. Obama defended his choice, saying he wanted the event to reflect diverse views and insisting he remains a "fierce advocate" of equal rights for gays.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: bhoinauguration; coronation; criticized4christ; faith; godtalk; liberalism; obama; obamatransitionfile; platteriverrick; prayer; rickwarren; secularism
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1 posted on 12/30/2008 5:16:29 PM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Mr. Mojo

Rick Warren’s opponents are guilty of the very intolerance they accuse him of.


2 posted on 12/30/2008 5:22:29 PM PST by Clintonfatigued (If greed is a virtue, than corporate socialism is conservative)
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To: Mr. Mojo

This is great! The Kenyan regime is not even sworn in yet and pissed off the Atheists, Gays, Palestinians and Left wingers.


3 posted on 12/30/2008 5:22:37 PM PST by omega4179 (Ramos and Compean)
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To: Mr. Mojo
OK, up front here, I only read the excerpt.

But if he doesn't invoke Jesus I'm going to be offended.

Correction: Really, REALLY, REALLY REALLY offended.

Just sayin'

4 posted on 12/30/2008 5:28:20 PM PST by AZ .44 MAG (A society that doesn't protect its children doesn't deserve to survive.)
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To: Mr. Mojo
I watched a bit of Warren`s Christmas message. He was introduced to a thunderous ovation?? what`s that all about? they might just as well have said...and here`s the star of the show the rev rick warren.

The guy goes on to tell us what he had for breakfast??

I am not a fan of his at all and am not sure if he is even a Christian???

I am sure he voted for Obama? Twice he brought Obama to big tv events, the guy is a new wave, possibly even new age pseudo Christian I think?

He is partly responsible for Obama`s election IMHO, the guy clearly wanted Obama to win.

I think Warren is a ASS, sorry just my opinion

5 posted on 12/30/2008 5:30:34 PM PST by Friendofgeorge (TINA FEY WISHES SHE LOOKED LIKE SARAH PALIN. FEY IS HOMELY, SARAH IS KNOCKOUT DROP DEAD GORGEOUS)
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To: Mr. Mojo
Rabbi Burt Visotzky, a professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary, the flagship institution of Conservative Judaism, said he invokes "God" for interfaith prayer.

"I know that for Christians, Jesus is part of their Trinity," said Visotzky, who has taught at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and at Protestant seminaries in the U.S. "For me as a Jew, hearing the name of a first-century rabbi isn't the worst thing in the world, but it's not my God."

It is nice to see that the AP writer was able to sneak an actual, non offended adult in at the very end. Some people just have to be perpetually angry I suppose.

6 posted on 12/30/2008 5:32:33 PM PST by Dawnsblood
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To: Friendofgeorge

You doubt if Rick Warren is a Christian.

If he doesn’t invoke Jesus you will have your answer.

There’s a Navy chaplain facing punishment for invoking Jesus in official Navy prayers. Yet he didn’t stop. THAT’S a Christian.


7 posted on 12/30/2008 5:40:58 PM PST by AZ .44 MAG (A society that doesn't protect its children doesn't deserve to survive.)
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To: AZ .44 MAG
Rick Warren will do fine, as long as he doesn't ask God to bless Obama the magic Negro.
8 posted on 12/30/2008 5:46:49 PM PST by Coldwater Creek ("There is no insanity greater than electing a pathological Narcissist as president.")
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To: Mr. Mojo

Looks like bringing us all together in love and harmony will be tougher than BHO first thought. Who knew?


9 posted on 12/30/2008 5:58:03 PM PST by YHAOS
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To: Mr. Mojo
Liberals are intolerant of God Talk. It scares the heebie jeebies outta them!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

10 posted on 12/30/2008 6:00:01 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: Mr. Mojo

May we never forget:
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 5: 29-31)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. “(Romans 1:16)
“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” (Romans 3:3)
“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 23-5)


11 posted on 12/30/2008 6:00:42 PM PST by LetMarch (If a man knows the right way to live, and does not live it, there is no greater coward--Anonymous))
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To: Coldwater Creek
Rick Warren will do fine, as long as he doesn't ask God to bless Obama the magic Negro.

LOL! Probably more honest though.

Fake little femmy bastard (Oblahblah not Warren) will utterly fail in his first term. IMHO.

12 posted on 12/30/2008 6:10:24 PM PST by AZ .44 MAG (A society that doesn't protect its children doesn't deserve to survive.)
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To: LetMarch; AZ .44 MAG
You doubt if Rick Warren is a Christian.
If he doesn’t invoke Jesus you will have your answer.

From what I have read about Rick Warren, I will be very surprised if he does!

May we never forget:

"Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life". (Rev. 2:10b)

How about faithful until criticism, lawsuits...? Of course, I've already mentioned my opinion of Rick Warren.

13 posted on 12/30/2008 6:17:37 PM PST by Former Fetus
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To: Mr. Mojo

Have these plaintiffs even read the First Amendment? there is no prohibition whatsoever on the President’s actions. “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion”. Congress is doing nothing of the kind in this case. How come I have seen the same idiot atheist on 3 networks today without a single newsreader (including Fox) making this correction clear.


14 posted on 12/30/2008 6:21:13 PM PST by montag813 (www.FreepShop.com)
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To: AZ .44 MAG
You doubt if Rick Warren is a Christian

I am in no position to doubt whether Warren is a Christian.

However he is without doubt an assclown of the lowest order.

15 posted on 12/30/2008 6:22:38 PM PST by montag813 (www.FreepShop.com)
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To: Mr. Mojo

“The head of an atheist group that has filed a lawsuit against prayer at Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration says the government is picking a winner between “believers” and “those who don’t believe” and subjecting atheists and agnostics to someone else’s religious beliefs.

Dan Barker, co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, has joined with Michael Newdow, who fought to have the words “under God” removed from the Pledge of Allegiance, in a federal lawsuit seeking to enjoin the Presidential Inaugural Committee from sponsoring prayers at the official inauguration.

The 34-page legal complaint similarly seeks to enjoin Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Jr., from adding the phrase “So help me God” to the presidential oath of office.

“We’re hoping to stop prayer and religious rituals at governmental functions, especially at the inauguration,” Barker told FOX News Radio.

“The inauguration is not a religious event. It is a secular event of a secular country that includes all Americans, including those of us who are not Christians, including those of us who are not believers,” he continued.”

More: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/30/atheist-group-files-lawsuit-prayer-presidential-inauguration/


16 posted on 12/30/2008 6:23:06 PM PST by Robwin
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To: omega4179

LOL !


17 posted on 12/30/2008 6:24:06 PM PST by Recovering Ex-hippie (FREE BLAGO !!! LET HIM SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER !!!)
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To: Friendofgeorge

agree.


18 posted on 12/30/2008 6:24:42 PM PST by Recovering Ex-hippie (FREE BLAGO !!! LET HIM SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER !!!)
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To: montag813

Assclown or not if he manages to irritate the Lefties on 1-20-2009 I’ll be happy.

Who knows what’s really in his heart? Not me.


19 posted on 12/30/2008 6:59:18 PM PST by AZ .44 MAG (A society that doesn't protect its children doesn't deserve to survive.)
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the Revs. Franklin Graham and Kirbyjon Caldwell were criticized for invoking Christ

And loving every minute of it.

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
KJV

20 posted on 12/30/2008 8:40:02 PM PST by KarinG1 (Opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not necessarily represent those of sane people.)
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