OBAMA RICK WARREN AND SPIRITUAL UNITY

Rick Warren's invitation to pray at Obama's inauguration provides a bit of light for Americans wondering about the president elect's core. First of all, his move causes evangelicals to assume Obama seeks inclusiveness. After his long kerfluffle over liberation theologian radical reverend Wright, Warren represents a move in the right direction. Second, those gays opposing Warren over proposition 8 need to answer the question, "Must evangelicals disappear from the public square altogether ?" Evangelicals pioneered America's religious landscape.  The compelling frontier revivals spawned by Methodists and Baptists shaped our cultural philosophy-gave America its soul. 

In addition,  you must acquiesce to the fact that you lost in California not because of Warren, but because your lifestyle is a perversion, a belief to which a most Americans (let those who acknowledge California as the most liberal, tolerant state in the union take note) silently adhere. Warren merely served as an organizer and motivator to the silent majority. Furthermore, your litigious bullyism sent the silent majority to the polls making their statement with an exclamation point. 

CBN's David Brody adds his two cents worth: 

Pro-life pastor Rick Warren will give the invocation at President-Elect Barack Obama’s inauguration. It makes a whole lot of sense. Even though Warren and Obama disagree on the life issue, they do see eye to eye on many social justice issues.
This move is also classic Obama because it is a signal to religious conservatives that he’s willing to bring in both sides to the faith discussion in this country. Obama has never shied away from that. The benediction will be led by Reverend Dr. Joseph E. Lowery. The Civil Rights leader seems to be the perfect pick on such an historic day in this nation’s history. Watch Reverend Lowery preach with Barack Obama watching here.

Obama makes a temperate response to his critics-one that I believe on the surface looks hopeful:

"let me start by talking about my own views. I think that it is no secret that I am a fierce advocate for equality for gay and lesbian Americans. It is something that I have been consistent on, and something that I contend -- intend to continue to be consistent on during my presidency.
What I've also said is that it is important for America to come together, even though we may have disagreements on certain social issues. And I would note that a couple of years ago, I was invited to Rick Warren's church to speak, despite his awareness that I held views that were entirely contrary to his when it came to gay and lesbian rights, when it came to issues like abortion. Nevertheless, I had an opportunity to speak. And that dialog, I think, is part of what my campaign's been all about; that we're not going to agree on every single issue, but what we have to do is to be able to create an atmosphere when we -- where we can disagree without being disagreeable and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans.
"So Rick Warren has been invited to speak. Dr. Joseph Lowery, who has deeply contrasting views to Rick Warren on a whole host of issues, is also speaking. During the course of the entire inaugural festivities, there are going to be a wide range of viewpoints that are presented. And that's how it should be, because that's what America's about. That's part of the magic of this country, is that we are diverse and noisy and opinionated. And so, you know, that's the spirit in which, you know, we have put together what I think will be a terrific inauguration. And that's, hopefully, going to be a spirit that carries over into my administration."