Warren's inauguration prayer could draw more ire

[oberliner]

Source: AP

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.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081231/ap_on_go_pr_wh/rel_inauguration_prayer

[Mz Pip]

1. Evangelicals

don't seen to have much of a problem forcing Gays to hide their love, though. So much for sensitivity.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

2. What do you think he'll actually pray?

My bet is some veiled plea that God "cure" homosexuals or some such nonsense.

[grantdevine]

4. I'd take that bet. n/t

[glinda]

14. He'll try to put Obama in a bad spot

He will most likely talk in "veiled" terms for "his" religion. It would not surprise me that he mentions the word "life" a few times too.
After reading his statements they are really F@*#!d up. They contradict themselves. He is a mess. What a freak.

[IndianaGreen]

5. He will say that those that don't accept Jesus as GAWD will burn in Hell!

We Jews have already been eternally damned by Wick Warren, but he says he loves us.

[tnlefty]

7. I was pondering that he would start by saying how much he

loves everyone, then take jabs against gays, womenfolk, etc., and I suppose he won't actually call anyone who is insulted by him on the day of the inaugural, Christophobes.

Yep, he looooves everyone.

[defendandprotect]

11. ...perhaps that "god" isn't a woman --- ??

[Ian David]

22. He's going to pray for more people to buy his book. n/t

[madamesilverspurs]

3. "...humble, personal appeals to God" --

1. Hey, Rick. Get a dictionary, look up "humble." You ain't even close.

2. Personal - good idea, keep it just between you and God. Someplace private. Away from cameras and microphones.

Doesn't the Good Book even say something along those lines? Not that I'm suggesting that pastors are subject to the same rules as the rest of us. But wouldn't it be impressive if some cleric approached the microphone and just asked everyone for a couple of minutes of silent prayer or meditation or thought, focusing on peace and the good of all humans everywhere? Won't ever happen, but it's nice to contemplate.

[Bill McBlueState]

6. I don't know why anyone would be surprised

that a Christian clergyman would say a Christian prayer. It's not like he believes in other gods to pray to.

One solution to the discomfort brought about by sectarian prayer would be to not have a prayer, consistent with the spirit of separating church and state.

[NYC Liberal]

8. But you can bet if a Muslim was doing the prayer and invoked Allah

("I will pray the only kind of prayer I know how to pray"), they would go out of their minds.

[IndianaGreen]

17. Allah = God in Arabic

a long ways from claiming a man as a god.

[scytherius]

9. So here we are, supposedly somewhat removed from the Dark Ages

And the debate rages across the land about what twit will pray to a magic mine who lives in the sky.

[complain jane]

13. LOL

You owe me a new keyboard.

[Zhade]

10. I'm still trying to see how this whole invocation thing doesn't violate the Constitution.

NT!

[defendandprotect]

12. I think the guy who brought a lawsuit over prayer at Bush's Inauguration . . .

is mentioned in one of the stories --

He was also rightly objecting to "in God we trust" on our money --

Perhaps someone will take action on this one -- in particularly because

it is an insult to just about everyone!

[glinda]

15. He lost twice already.

[Zhade]

19. That doesn't make him wrong.

NT!

[defendandprotect]

26. Yes . . . however, I was pointing to the fact that he took action --

and I think that a lawsuit can make people think about these issues

and discuss them and understand how essential Separation of Church &

State are to democracy --- with it, there is no democracy.

[caseymoz]

20. It's supposed to be "unofficial," glitz, in other words.

The only constitutionally official part is the Oath (or Affirmation) of Office, and that's only one sentence long. All the rest of it is "unofficial." And for the unofficial, the President can choose to have what he wants.

Obama being devout Christian, I presume he would have had a minister pray with him in private. IMO, this would have been a far more tasteful thing to do. Even as an Atheist, I can't really say the invocation violates the Constitution, as much as I'd like to.

[TechBear_Seattle]

23. Legally, inaugurations are personal, not public

The Constitution requires only that the President and Vice President take the oath of office. All of the hoopla around that oath-taking is, in a legal sense, a private ceremony. It is the same as holding a wedding in a public park: it is a private ceremony even though it is taking place where the public can watch.

As such, the President-Elect can organize the inauguration in any way he wants, provided that the sole constitutional requirement is met.

[RCinBrooklyn]

16. He'll appeal to the Flying Spaghetti Monster, the one true Christ.

[caseymoz]

18. Of course, he's going to give a Christian prayer.

I never had a doubt about that. Obama isn't secular, and until we have a secular President, expect these damned prayers to continue. Followers don't even see it as "religious."

I think when Warren takes the stage to deliver his prayer, there will the sounds of something we've never heard: two million people booing. I could just see conservative up in arms over it.

[Hubert Flottz]

21. Why don't them deadbeat preachers ask Jesus to rescue all the...

poor people that the GOP has created over the past 8 years.

[Bluenorthwest]

24. What if the Chirstians prayed as they were told?

Matthew 6:5-6:

"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...."
That's what's his name who said that, the Christ guy. But what did he know anyway?

If they followed their own teachings, we'd not have this problem at all. But they want to be like the hypocrites, seen of men on TV! Jesus can shove it, we've got product to move!

[oberliner]

25. What's wrong with praying in a synagogue?

Isn't the community aspect of religious services important?

Maybe I'm not understanding the meaning.