Many are aware of the furor that has erupted over Barack Obama’s decision to have Rick Warren deliver the invocation at his inauguration ceremony. Obama promised during his campaign to bring people who differ together so that our nation might come to embrace common ideals despite strong differences. His choice of Warren, who believes what the Bible teaches on the subject of homosexuality and abortion, is an example of Obama keeping this promise.
Interestingly, though this promise among others constitutes one of the reasons he was embraced by the left in this country, it is also the reason why he is being criticised by those same supporters when said promise is put into practice. It seems that homosexuals and abortionists want us to listen to and accept them, but they are unwilling to listen to and accept us! In effect, they are intolerant of those who are intolerant! Put another way, they have long complained of being “marginalized” by society, and now that one of their own is being put into office, they are seeking to do the same to those who disagree with them!
I watched a clip from a MSNBC show last night where the host was examining comments made by Rick Warren, as well as material found on the web site of the church where he preaches. The host expressed both surprise and indignation at what Warren believed, equating it with some of the more inflammatory rhetoric of Obama’s long time preacher, Jeremiah Wright. (You may remember him, he is the one who condemned America, and claimed that our country deserved to be attacked on “9/11”. What did Warren have the audacity to say?
First, that because a homosexual does not live his life by the “lordship” of Jesus Christ, he would not be allowed membership at the Saddleback church. (Interestingly, that language was temporarily removed from the web site, but the host incredulously stated that they were simply revising it for clarity, and “they actually still believe it!”).
Second, that not only did he object to gay marriage, but he objected to an adult marrying a minor, a brother marrying a sister, and a man having multiple wives! (Gasp), “He is comparing homosexuality to incest and pedophilia!”
Third, that homosexuals choose to engage in that lifestyle.
Fourth, that the only two reasons for divorce are abandonment and infidelity.
While there is much that Warren teaches that I disagree with, the amazing thing here is that the objections they were raising are concerning values that Americans have traditionally held for generations!
Understand this, in our society today we have reached the point where those who either practice or approve of the practice of sin are not content merely with appealing to the tolerance of society. They not only demand our acceptance, but seek to still the mouths of those who continue to object to their sin. They will not rest until the Christian’s mouth is stopped, under penalty of law. We have reached the point where men call “evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20).
