Warren praises Obama's prayer invitation to gay bishop
by Jennifer Riley, Christian Post
Posted: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 9:49 (GMT)
Rick Warren, who has been under a cloud of controversy since it was announced that he will deliver the invocation at Barack Obama’s inauguration, applauded the President-elect this week for also inviting the openly gay Episcopal Bishop V Gene Robinson to pray at the inaugural opening ceremony.
“President-elect Obama has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground,” Warren said in a statement. “I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen.”
Warren, in recent weeks, has been barraged with criticism from gay rights advocates because of his support for the anti-gay marriage measure Proposition 8 and for comparing same-sex marriage with incest and pedophilia in an interview, although he later clarified that he does not believe gay partnerships are the same as the other two sexual behaviours.
Critics have called Obama to rescind his invitation to Warren, accusing the evangelical pastor of being a “homophobe”. They also argue that the invitation contradicts Obama's promise to support greater gay and abortion rights.
Obama has, however, defended his selection of Warren saying that the inauguration will feature “a wide range of viewpoints” and one of the trademarks of America is its diversity.
Robinson was among the critics, calling the Warren invitation a “slap in the face”, according to The Washington Post.
In 2003, Robinson became the first openly gay clergy to be elected bishop in The Episcopal Church. His appointment as bishop, among other issues, has sparked severe division in the Anglican Communion with conservative Episcopal churches and dioceses splitting off from the denomination.
The controversial bishop will give the prayer on the first day of formal inaugural events in Washington this Sunday.
In preparation for the event, the bishop said he has read inaugural prayers throughout history and was “horrified” at how “specifically and aggressively Christian they were”, according to the New York Times.
For his prayer, Robinson said he is “very clear” that it “will not be a Christian prayer, and I won’t be quoting Scriptures or anything like that”.
“The texts that I hold as sacred are not sacred texts for all Americans, and I want all people to feel that this is their prayer,” he said.
Robinson said he might make the prayer out to “the God of our many understandings”.
He also said his partner of more than 20 years, Mark Andrew, would accept an invitation from the Obama team to join him in several inaugural events, according to the NY Times. The two had a civil union ceremony last summer in a New Hampshire church.
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Added: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 12:16 (GMT)
A gay is not a believer. He dont know lord. He is not worthy 2 b said as christian or leader in church. God loves sinners but not sin. All gays must repent and god can heal them and make them normal. They sow their disobedience by living gay lesbian life and they will reap if they dont change.
daves, asia
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 21:56 (GMT)
I'm fairly sure that the President elect will have representatives of all the major faiths present during his inauguration, so I can't comprehend why Bishop Robinson declines to deliver his prayers with an " overtly Christian Message ". Surely by being ordained as a Bishop of a Christian Church he should be at the forefront to spread the word of the Christian Scriptures? Will all the other representatives of all the different faiths be denying their own beliefs and scriptures?....I think not!
There is nothing wrong in being tolerant and supportive to other faiths, but I truly believe that a high ranking member of any religion should put forth the views and beliefs of their own faith first, whilst preaching tolerance towards other religions.
Chris Murphy, Manchester England
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 17:51 (GMT)
Having a person living a life of abomination for 20 years pretending to be a man of God is not something I feel should be rewarded. He obviously has no desire to cast off his sinful behavior, and we should never accept that lifestyle as a "new way of living". He has no place representing us before God.
Chris, NY, NY
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 16:58 (GMT)
I agree with Pastor Rick Warren to give people the opportunity to find the love of Jesus Christ.
Sunate, Thailand
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 16:32 (GMT)
i am so disappointed about what is going in America. The inauguration will be opening by a "Gay" Robison, i do not think he has a fully right to pray, and i do not think his situation right now would be right to pray.
The Bible says: The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil. (1 Pet 3:12).
I believe God only hears the rightous prays.
An Duong, Saigon, Vietnam
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 13:45 (GMT)
I also believe in being graceful in an ungraceful world. The reference of the woman being caught in adultery, found in John chapter 8, speaks clearly of Jesus' love and grace in action, but Jesus also told the woman to "go, and sin no more." This bishop is openly practicing and teaching that his lifestyle is not sinful. This is enormously disturbing to myself and many in the Body of Christ.
A True Believer, United States
Added: Sunday, January 18, 2009, 3:31 (GMT)
Hmmmmm I wonder how much grace and mercy was given to the openly gay bishops in Sodom and Gomorrah. Lord give us ears to hear and eyes to see-
ernie, White House, TN
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 22:26 (GMT)
It is through the continued compromise of Gods divine infallible word that we were given to live by, will prove to be our ultimate downfall as a great country. We as Christians are called to live God's word before the world as an example through holyness and wothout comprimise. The first comandment thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. and then Jesus said that we should love thy neighbor as thyself. Therefore if we truly love God we will keep all his word. Read it; Live it; love it -all-.
David , USA
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 21:51 (GMT)
Warren and Robinson disagree on a lot of issues. But Warren compliments Robinson pick as "bringing all Americans together in search of common ground."
In contrast, Robinson criticizes Warren pick as a "slap in the face." Which of the two shows more grace and charity toward his neighbor?
What's that same-sex marriage activist slogan again - oh yes, love not hate. Robinson would do well to remember it.
Brendan, Seattle, USA
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 20:00 (GMT)
The Bible is very specific God created Man and Woman. Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God because of the homosexual sin and other evils. You can not change God's word just because you choose to live a sinful life.
Yvonne, Douglasville,USA
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 14:33 (GMT)
This gay bishop is responsible for the schism that is occuring in the Anglican Church between those who follow the Bible's teaching and those who don't. Its caused enormous pain. For Obama to invite him shows an incredible lack of wisdom on his behalf; and for Warren to endorse the move, shows just how out of touch he is.
Jack Cameron, Brisbane, Australia
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 14:20 (GMT)
"This should not be acclaimed as a victory for the gay and lesbian movement, but a victory for graceful believers"
A very funny statement.
"I send my son to a gay teacher and tell him to listen to the teacher. This should not be acclaimed as a victory for the teacher, but a victory for graceful me"
Timothy Law, NYC, NY
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 12:33 (GMT)
If he is a bishop and a gay, he doesn't know God. This is very sad.
Monica, New Zealand
Added: Saturday, January 17, 2009, 10:59 (GMT)
Rick Warren has demonstrated grace in action by his acceptance of Bishop Robinson. We must follow the example of Jesus in John chapter 8, when He did not condemn the woman taken in adultery, but gave her the opportunity to discover a new way of living. This should not be acclaimed as a victory for the gay and lesbian movement, but a victory for graceful believers.
Peter Waring, Rushden, Northants, England
