Rick Warren Goes to the Inauguration

How can it be that the individual asked to give an invocation at the inauguration can create so much controversy? Is this a sign of just how much religion matters in our country today? Is it an indication of just how uncivil we have all become to those who disagree with us on any issue? Does it suggest that ideology has developed to the point where it trumps good sense or even good manners?

My first indication of such a trend occurred several years ago when the Governor of my state was disinvited from speaking at a local Cathoic college, becase an anti-abortion group objected to the Governor's position on abortion. Never mind that the Governor had done many good things for the poor, to improve health care, etc. None of these things mattered, because of his position on abortion. It didn't even matter that as the Governor of the state he was an individual our community needed to work with and dialogue with in order to further our aims on any number of issues. The decision to disinvite seemed ludicrous at the time, yet it has become a commonplace way of doing business. The decision to not talk to those we disagree with has became the norm rather than an aberration.

Let me admit that there is certainly reason to understand how the Gay Community feels about the issue of Rick Warren. The bitter defeat of Gay Marriage in California still stings. The fact that Rick Warren worked hard for the passage of Proposition 8 adds to the feelings involved. The question is asked whether President-elect Obama is deliberately insulting the Gay community, or did not really believe what he said on these issues during the campaign. Some may even feel a sense of betrayal.

However, anyone who has followed the Obama campaign would not be the least bit surprised at the invitation to Rick Warren. The central theme of his campaign has been to bring people together. He heralded a new kind of politics. He was criticized for wanting to meet with Heads of State regarding international conflicts. How much more important to be able to meet with fellow Americans who disagree wih us. Where is it written that we must hate those who do not agree with us on every issue? Must we demonize, isolate, and shun all those who oppose us? Is everyone either for us or against us?

In fact, Pastor Warren has done many positive things that we can celebrate. He has extended the breadth of evangelical issues to include poverty and the environment. His popular book, The Purpose Driven Life has helped many toward self understanding and self improvement. It is in this seeking of common ground that we can come together to work for a better country. President-elect Obama has made clear that he doesn't want to leave everyone on the sidelines that did not vote for him. There are many issues on which we can work together across the aisle, and this is the goal. Of course the President-elect will be opposed on any number of issues. In some cases he will be opposed by those who voted for him and are members of his own party. But gaining the widest possible consensus as we move forward on specific issues is to be desired.

What a great opportunity it is for Pastor Rick Warren to call down upon President-elect Obama the blessings of the almighty for the work of the nation. As he lends his voice to those praying and hoping for great things from this administration we should be uplifted, not discouraged. The path ahead is steep and there are many barriers in our way, but the more people we can bring aboard to make the journey together, the better our chances for success. The goal is to do things differently this time around. This time we need to listen to each other, and when we disagree, do so strongly, but without rancor. This time those of us on both the right and the left need to accept the fact that just because someone opposes us doesn't mean they are not acting in good faith. This time we need to all work together whenever we can, and when we disagree we need to work within our democratic process to attempt to build a consensus for our own point of view. I welcome Pastor Warren to the inauguration, and I am glad that he chooses to give his blessing to the work of our incoming president, even though he does not always agree with him on every issue.