Saddleback Church’s Presidential Civil Forum: A Harsh Spotlight

Catholic Exchange ^ | August 21st, 2008 | David J. Hartline

[Publius804]

Saddleback Church’s Presidential Civil Forum: A Harsh Spotlight

August 21st, 2008

by David J. Hartline

The Civil Forum sponsored by the Saddleback Church and its founder and pastor Rick Warren was the first chance for voters to see presidential candidates Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama answer questions about faith. What the voters actually saw was a polished Senator Obama using illustrative words and nice platitudes but saying very little. Senator McCain, though less polished, showed his serious engagement with the demands of the Gospel. Pastor Rich Warren, an admirable man, showed us both the failings of this format and a glimpse of the coming collapse of the Mega-Church Era.

[In veno, veritas]

I highly disagree with the author. If Rick Warren jumped on Obama’s answers like she recommends, it would have been touted as a “Republican” setup. People are smart enough to figure things out for themselves. They already know Obama lost - big time. There's no need to antagonize anymore.

[Alex Murphy]

The article reads very much like a "sour grapes" whine against Warren, Saddleback, Republicans, and megachurches in general. Perhaps the most telling section is this:

I imagine many, like me, were watching the Olympics that evening. I only saw the forum when CNN repeated it at midnight once the Olympic coverage was over. It was vintage Senator Obama, though Senator McCain outshined him. Senator Obama’s delivery made it appear to many that he could hold his own against Senator McCain in appealling to an Evangelical audience.

He didn't intend to watch the debate; he chose to watch sports. And then he reveals that he gets his news from watching CNN - and only caught the debate because CNN covered it.

[geologist]

There are many of us who did not see it live or in rebroadcast. It was a debate of sorts.

We always need to remember that the candidates get a preview of the questions before hand; ... else the candidates will not agree to participate.

So make of it what you will.

[chesley]

I tend to agree.

And I can't go with Catholicism. However, I think that Mr. Warren's theology is very unsound, especially, though not exclusively, in the realm of politics.

There is NO justification in the Bible for extorting other people, not even for a ‘good’ cause. And that is what the welfare state boils down to, morally. And we haven't even considered that it actually does its recipients no good.

[CdMGuy]

Well, this is one Catholic that took time away from watching the Olympics to watch the forum on Fox News, and this is one Catholic that does not believe the so-called mega-church will be fading away, and here is one Catholic who believes that it was not Rick Warren’s assignment to debate with the candidates but rather to ask a question and listen to the answer along with the viewers.

[SeaHawkFan]

Rick Warren asked very good questions and simply let, and made sure the candidates answered.

He was very fair.