I don't understand why it is so important

[JFN1]

If it's not Warren, it will be some other mumbler of prayers.

Prayers at the Inauguration, an official Government function. I wonder what the Founders would think of that...?

And from my perspective, all prayers are equally delusional, so perhaps for that reason, I fail to see why it is such a terrible thing to have one guy spouting nonsense to a fictional character over another...and please, don't tell me this is a "Christian" nation - for it most certainly is not. We're in the running to be the least Christ-like nation on Earth...invasions, civilian torture, greed run amuck, profit over conscience, homeless on the streets, children without basic health care, without food, in the richest country in the world...oh yeah, Christ would LOVE America...

Seems the Warren choice is simply Obama reaching out to the other side - something he promised to do - remember? So why the fuss? Because the guy is a right-wing wacko who holds views that would make Himmler blush? Again, so what? Is he speaking for Obama? For you? For America? Or is he, as I suspect, merely speaking for himself and getting the big ego boost being the center of such attention offers? And if so - then why does anyone care?

[lapfog_1]

1. There is a difference between reaching out and a reach around. - n/t

[DesertFlower]

2. well said. nt

[SteppingRazor]

3. I don't think the Founders would have had any problem with it.

Washington started the tradition of swearing in on a Bible, after all. And after his inauguration, the entire party went straight to church to pray for the new government.

Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson -- the latter far from a friend to organized religion -- invoked a higher power in the final lines of their inaugural addresses. I'm not certain off the top of my head how far back the tradition of an actual clergyman giving an invocation goes back, but I doubt it's a particularly new occurrence.

[JFN1]

7. A prayer to a higher power

is not the same thing as a religious figure being involved in a religious ceremony...the way it is done today is religious as could be - asking a god to sanction the chosen leader of the country - not very Constitutional, and certainly much different from a nebulous wish to an unidentified "power" than an organized religious ceremony.

Sorry, but I find the religious aspects of our government...well, offensive. I think there are much bigger things to be concerned with than which wealthy preacher is going to talk to which god.

[SteppingRazor]

10. I agree. There are indeed much bigger things to be concerned with...

than which wealthy preacher is going to talk to which god.


So ... why are we talking about this again? ;)

[JFN1]

11. Because I am trying to understand why it is so important

that it is the most recommended subject on DU right now. I'd like to know why, that's all, because I don't think it actually means anything. And, I suppose, I'd like to see America begin to get out of the ugly, pointless, Republican-born habit, of getting upset over that which amounts to essentially, nothing.

[csziggy]

4. On one level I agree with you but on another level having Warren brought to the front this way

Points out the amount of hate in his ministry. Until he was named to do this prayer, I had not heard that he backed Prop. 8. I just detested him on general grounds of disliking his type of religion. Now I can name at least one specific reason he is evil - preaching and encouraging hate while pretending to be a Christian.

That this controversy has made the main stream media pay attention is good IMO. Keep Prop 8 out in front of the country so it can be labeled for what it is - hatred.

[Robbien]

5. A reaching out to the other side? Progressives are the Other Side for this Obama admin. and kicking

us in the gut each and every chance they get seems to be the Name of the Obama admin game.

Sure it is not important, to Centrists. It is just a sign that the Obama team is going to fly the Centrist banner loudly and proudly. Progressives are not allowed and are to be reviled and suppressed at all costs.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

6. Thank you

for this. It is common sense and I whole heartedly agree.

I wish that there was zero prayer during this event - it sucks. I am offended by the whole prayer B.S. - I had to live through a prayer during Thanksgiving but it was very short.

Why not just have a wild-eyed witch doctor jump around with a flagellating chicken in its death throes? Makes just as much sense to me.

[JFN1]

8. Well, if there has to be a god,

I prefer the Flying Spaghetti Monster over the witch doctor...!

[DonEBrook]

9. Why isn't he reaching out to the KKK? Isn't that part of the "other side" too?

:shrug: