December 17, 2008

This just in...

CNN reported today that Obama chose Rick Warren to deliver his inaugural invocation.

This was a pretty gutsy move on his part, and I have to give him credit for either making a shrewd political move, or showing that he really wants to reach across political and religious lines to include everyone.

It’s made a lot of people mad within the ranks of abortion activists, homosexual rights groups, and even some in the Democratic party.

I read that Kathryn Kolbert, President of the group “People for the American Way” said she was “deeply disappointed,” and that Obama should have given the powerful platform to someone who is “inconsistent with mainstream American values.”

Huh?

I hate to tell you this Kathryn, but did you see the local ballots this past election? I think Americans made it quite clear what their “mainstream” values are, and they aren’t what you’re trying to sell.

She also said Warren had a moderate tone, but his ideas are radical. Again, where exactly are you getting your information? It’s obvious that you haven’t spent much time outside your little bubble, because the Americans who don’t get put on the news every night, which is the majority of America, have pretty conservative ideas. So it’s you who is radical.

It amazes me that liberal groups focus on a few topics to try and discredit conservatives, but Rick Warren is more than just someone who apposes the destruction of traditional marriage and the killing of unborn children. Rick Warren has been a champion of such “insignificant” things as reducing global poverty, human rights abuses, and the AIDS epidemic.

Obama may disagree with Warren on certain things, but he agrees with him on several issues, such as advocating on behalf of the poor and the disadvantaged, and people who suffer from HIV/AIDS.

So I have to say to you liberals who are writhing in your seats because of Obama’s decision to have Rick Warren deliver his inaugural invocation… grow up. Stop hating everyone who disagrees with your liberal views and lets find a common ground to work together to help those who really need help.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope this is not to bizarre, but I'm thinking about your comment, "your little bubble". Funny, you write a page of great content and the reader soaks in 3 rather insignificant words, creating a thought.

I'm thinking about the concept of reaching critical mass and maximizing impact on others. We all live each in a unique "little bubble" defined by ourselves and influenced by others.

Periodically, our bubble bumps into another bubble and intersects. A resulting small piece of each of us is joined and becomes part of the other.

Sometimes, our bubbles bump and become a union of the two creating a bubble of twice the size and impact. Each sharing the others attributes.

Reaching critical mass is when a significant number of bubbles bump, intersect and union, creating explosive mass and volume which changes the world as we know it forever. The world becomes "ONE".

Mr. Obama will shortly bump our bubble. I wonder what the world of "ONE" will look like?

Kyle Burkholder said...

well, you can count me as one of a couple of GPers who are "liberals" (based on the way we voted) and are really excited that the president-elect is allowing his beliefs to be represented by mr. warren.

since he is a professed christ-follower (rom 10:9), we give mr. obama the benefit of the doubt and pray that his presidency will be one marked with grace and mercy and deep concern for the justice issues that affect the least of these.

Anonymous said...

I confused. I'm ok with prayer, but how can a "professed christ-follower" be in favor of abortion? I did notice the lower case "c" in christ. Maybe that's the twist? I'm sorry, but I don't see Christ funding an abortion.

Anonymous said...

Wow, a supposed Christ follower who says they are a Liberal? How do you reconcile supporting Obama, who supports killing unborn children? Exodus 20:13. And how do you reconcile supporting him when he supports gay rights? 1 Corinthians 6:9.

I can't give Obama the benefit of the doubt, because he's left no doubt about his supposed Christianity by standing behind his liberal views.

However, what I will give him is an opportunity. An opportunity to be a good leader and steer this country in a positive direction, and I will pray for him, and hope the Holy Spirit will fill him one day.

As for your supposed faith, and being a Liberal... you need to grow up my friend. There is no gray area in God's eyes. His Word is pretty specific. I hope you'll believe the truth some day.

Bret L said...

Looks like we have some strong opinions and ideals here. I like it! Let's hear some more.

archie said...

At the bottom of the comment input box it says, "Comment moderation has been enabled." I thought that meant that anything you write is somehow filtered and interpretted and the result is posted something like, "I love your, bro". Ha!

Kyle Burkholder said...

i should learn to stay quiet. really. we are to be unified in christ, who is the only thing that we all have in common. different cultural/family/life experiences have led us to slightly different places. it is our diversity that makes the body of christ so beautiful.

"liberal" is what some would tag people who voted for mr. obama. i don't claim that tag.

there are a lot of things that i wonder whether christ would engage in or support...
would he engage in war or turn the other cheek - would he seek revenge or leave wrath to the Father?
would he pull the switch or make the injection that ended the life of a criminal?
would he spend billions a day on defense while spending next to nothing on helping the defenseless?
would he stand and watch genocide in africa take place, carelessly allowing hundreds of thousands to die?

there are a lot of issues and none are as clear-cut as we make them out to be.

abortion is a terrible thing. simple as that. sickens me. but i live amongst some of the poorest teenagers in america and they are getting pregnant left and right. how many years of republican and democratic presidents have we gone through (35) since roe v wade? and how many more will we go through until we begin to attack some of the causative factors that lead to the problem we are faced with? maybe we work on inner city schools, domestic poverty alleviation, and a new program that teaches the value of life to young people.

and maybe that won't work. i am big enough to accept that. still, we've tried for 35 years to vote for the guy who believes exactly like we do and it has gotten us nowhere. let's see if a new path can't reduce the horrific number.

Bret L said...

You don't need to learn to stay quiet. Your opinions are very welcome here, in this safe-house for ideals.

I agree that there are a lot of things that aren't being corrected, and that we may end up with leaders who only half fill the bill. I guess I try to look at who the person is, and I didn't like that before the election Obama specifically said that marriage is between a man and a woman, and now he specifically states that he supports gay marriage.

I am impressed, however, with his choice of Rick Warren to speak at he inauguration. So the guy is a dichotomy unto himself. Which, kind of scares me.

But I have high hopes for the new administration, and I'll pray for God's guidance in our government.

Thanks for your comments, I really enjoy them.

Anonymous said...

Just this morning I was thinking wouldn't an anonymous blog be nice. You could say what you think rather than what you think others should hear. That was a sad thought for me. Thanks Kyle for believing and speaking. Now is not the time in America to be quiet. Change is in the wind. The coin is in the air. God controls the outcome.

It seems Mr. Obama will balance the scales with his pick of benediction ministers...

"The Rev. Joseph Lowery, 87, is best known as a civil rights icon and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He also comes from a liberal Christian mainline religious tradition, the United Methodist Church.

In 2000, Lowery, gave what was described as an electrifying speech calling for gay clergy, to the dinner during the general convention of the United Methodist Church, the nation's second largest Protestant denomination."

According to Affirmation, which describes itself as newsletter for United Methodists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Concerns:

"Dr. Lowery wondered out loud, "how could the church, because of a person's sexual orientation, deny ministry to those whom God has called?" He then suggested that he would prefer to err on the side of inclusion rather than exclusion".

"There still squats the toad." :)

Bret, is that moderation filter working? Ha!