[Jennifer5]

Nate was able to put my feelings into words.

The Inaugural Prayer, An Opportunity for Change
The facts: President-elect Obama, a very progressive and justice-minded leader, chose Rick Warren to give the prayer at his presidential inauguration. Rick Warren pastors a very large evangelical church and he supported Prop 8 which aimed to ban marriage for lesbian & gay Californians.

The drama: Progressives and LGBT people everywhere are ticked off, upset and are demanding Obama disinvite Warren and choose a more inclulsive faith leader.

Look folks, we are reacting to Obama as if he is a Bush. As if we don't really believe he is a man of integrity. As if we don't really believe in his leadership. AND we are demonizing Rick Warren because he has done something we don't agree with.

Cut it out.

President Obama is the most powerful and progressive leader we have ever had. Everything about his campaign said this man is different. He is integrity. He is equality. He is leadership. And he is change.

Stop throwing a temper tantrum. Try on that this really is the wisest choice to make. What if Obama really knew what he was doing?

Example: What if this experience causes Pastor Warren to really get confronted with the injustice and lack of compassion of some of his beliefs, teachings and actions about LGBT people? What if this is the source of Pastor Warren leading a change in the American church?

If Obama is teaching us anything, it is to expand our vision. To take off the blinders that are creating our "my way or the highway" tunnel vision.

Now. Standing in that Obama really knows what he's doing and is really committed to integrity and justice, you may still disagree with a choice he's made.

Instead of attacking him... or DEMANDING he do something... What would it be like to make a powerful request that acknowledged your faith in him AND requested that he choose someone else... or even better, created an interfaith group that gave inaugural prayers from several faith traditions. Such a group could be balanced with conservative and progressive faith leaders AND would have room for Pastor Warren.

Finally, let me say some things about Rick Warren. I disagree with his position on Prop 8. I disagree with some of his theology. And, I really respect him for his commitment to making a difference, helping people and being God's love in the world. He is not a bad person. He is not our enemy.

Our enemy is the mis-information that causes bias and fear.

When we go on the war path, attacking a human being who has been affected by the misinformation, we ABSOLUTELY give up our right to stand as people committed to justice and love.