Who should step in to pray at Obama’s inauguration?

[cbayer]

http://www.religionnews.com/2013/01/11/who-couldshould-step-in-to-pray-at-obamas-inauguration/

Kevin Eckstrom | Jan 11, 2013

Atlanta pastor Louie Giglio’s short-lived stint as one of two people chosen to pray at President Obama’s upcoming inauguration has opened debate about who could step in and offer the benediction.

Various groups have offered their suggestions, from GLAAD to Huffington Post to ThinkProgress, which unearthed the damning mid-1990s sermon against homosexuality that prompted Giglio to withdraw. (ThinkProgress’ list is especially interesting)

Here’s our list of (real and imagined) possibilities. Some are obvious, some less so. For our betting dollars, we’re banking on someone like Giglio with a unique profile but not necessarily a headliner.

California megachurch pastor Rick Warren

Pro: He’s done it before, offering the benediction at Obama’s first inauguration, in 2009. And he’s a household name.

Con: His choice was widely criticized by gay-rights groups after Warren fought for Proposition 8, which ended gay marriages in California. A Warren pick would do little to calm the controversy Giglio stirred.

more at link

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. The Dean of the National Cathedral.

He just announced they would perform same-sex weddings. The Episcopal Church has become quite socially liberal in recent years and they don't get enough credit for it. And they aren't evangelical wackos.

[cbayer]

4. I don't know much about him/her, but it seems logical. Not on the RNS list for some reason.

[rug]

20. That's Huntz Hall's son.

[truebluegreen]

2. Nobody. nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Someday I hope we can do without any religious observances

at inaugurations and other such events. Right now, though, we are stuck with them; a lot of people like, want and expect them. So they should at least try to avoid the wackier wackos. I don't know why somebody didn't do a more thorough job of vetting this last guy, but they should know by now that most big-name evangelical Christians are not the most open-minded folks in the world.

[demwing]

3. Why not ask the Dalai Lama?

That guy's always up for a speaking gig.

[pangaia]

8. What brings you to that opinion?

[demwing]

14. It was a joke.

I thought the giveaway was referring to him as "that guy."

Still, my observation is that the Dalai Lama is no stranger to the microphone. Good for him. I like the balance of having a non-Christian voice of moral authority, the more he speaks, the better I feel on that subject.

[pangaia]

16. I'm with you on that..

[Kalidurga]

6. Anton LeVey...

probably wouldn't be a popular choice. But, they have as much right to pray as anyone else.

[pangaia]

7. Nobody should say prayers at an inauguration.

[demwing]

15. How about an inspirational speech

Last edited Sat Jan 12, 2013, 05:32 PM - Edit history (1)

followed by 30 seconds of silence for whatever use each individual deems most appropriate.

[pangaia]

17. Works for me also. :>)

Howard in 2012....
I spent just 2-3 minutes with him with my new Chinese wife once-- I was very touched by him...

[Shadowflash]

9. I'm sure

If there was no prayer at all everybody would still live through it.

[intaglio]

10. No problem - Deacon Duncan

http://freethoughtblogs.com/alethianworldview/author/alethianworldview/

Yes, I'm joking

[dlwickham]

11. piss on Rick Warren

and not in a good way either

[cbayer]

13. Agree. I was really disappointed to see the RNS put him on the list at all, let

alone at the very top.

There are some great choices on that list. Warren is definitely not one of them.

[trixie]

12. No one!

[okasha]

18. If Obama is serious about LGBT rights

Bishop Eugene Robinson.

[cbayer]

19. I think we could all fully support that choice.

I know I could.