More Inaugural Prayer News

Who knew that the religious side of the inaurguration of Barack Obama would get so much attention. We had all that hullabaloo about Rick Warren being the Invocator. We've had people wondering where the Obama's might go to church -- my suggestion is that they join the Disciples and attend National City Christian Church. Yesterday came word that my chief pastor, the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins had been selected to preach at the upcoming Inaugural Prayer Service -- which is indeed a great honor.
Now comes word that the Obama team has asked Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire to open the inaugural festivities on Sunday with a prayer. Gene Robinson, you may remember is the first openly gay bishop of the Episcopal Church. Oh, and just to let you know, Gene has Disciples roots himself!
So, hey, Obama is spreading the wealth, making sure everyone is included. Now, isn't that the American way? Isn't that what we want from our President?

Comments

C Ryan said…
You know I have to give you a hard b/c you said earlier "not sure why faith/prayer needs to be part of an inauguration". (I am paraphrasing.. and giving you a hard time! :) )

I won't debate ole Gene, but will only say he was an easy reason for me to leave the Episcopal Church. His statement of "leaving his Bible at home" just confirms all of my fears and sadness.

BUT... I am glad faith is taking over center stage again. Discussions around faith, particularly about Christianity are always good and hopefully give us opportunities to share and witness Christ.

-Chuck
Robert Cornwall said…
Chuck,

I'm not always comfortable with civil religion -- especially when the cross takes second place to the flag -- for instance.

But if we're going to have faith represented in the public square like this, then the diversity of American religious life needs to be represented.

I think you have some of that -- at least from the Christian side. But we need Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Jewish, etc. to round out the picture. Atheists would like to have a place at the table. Interestingly, while there are hardline atheists like Dawkins, there are others like Greg Epstein of Harvard that seek to create a Humanist spirituality (for the lack of a better term at the moment). Maybe have Greg do something.
Anonymous said…
Perfect!! Well almost. It would have been better had obama chosen that sodomite Episcopal to pretend to pray instead of Rick Warren, but mistakes will be made.

"But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." II Tim. 3:13
John said…
Gary,

"...in all things, charity."

That is in ALL things, not just when you approve.

Actually, the call to charity is most specifically directed at those people who distress you the most.

John
Anonymous said…
John,

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits." Jesus, Matthew 7:15, 16.

"O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?" The Apostle Paul, Acts 13:10.

Thank you for the attempted correction. I'm trying to follow the lead of Jesus and Paul. They knew a devil when they saw one. I can't match their eloquence, but I'm pretty good at recognizing infidel perverts when I see them.
John said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
John said…
Gary,

You might want to try to imitate their grace as well.

You know, God is pretty powerful, and doesn't need as much defending and protection as you seem to think.

Paul calls on us to be ambassadors of Christ, loving our enemies, and sanctifying those whom we touch, not cursing those whom we disagree with.

John
Anonymous said…
John,

I'll let Jude comment on Gene Robinson.

"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ." Jude 4.

"Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever." Jude 13.

"These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit." Jude 19

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