OntheWilderSide

KW: President-Elect Barack Obama has been criticized for inviting Rick Warren – a conservative, anti-gay reverend – to say a prayer at the inauguration. It is an interesting maneuver that Barack Obama has kept Reverend Rick Warren on the schedule,but added an openly homosexual clergyperson, Bishop Gene Robinson. Clever attempt at a political solution – not sure it is adequate. Probably gives great insight into Obama’s leadership style and method of dealing with conflict. I also think it will be a very intriguing chapter in the history books.

(excerpt from) Concord Monitor

New Hampshire bishop invited to D.C. to give prayer
Robinson to speak at an inaugural event
By Annmarie Timmins
January 12, 2009

New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, an outspoken, international gay rights leader, has been asked to give a prayer at one of President-elect Barack Obama’s first inauguration events at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The announcement follows weeks of criticism from Robinson and gay-rights groups over Obama’s decision to tap the Rev. Rick Warren, who’s likened committed gay relationships to incest and polygamy, to pray on inauguration day…

“It’s important for any minority to see themselves represented in some way,” Robinson said. “Whether it be a racial minority, an ethnic minority or, in our case, a sexual minority. Just seeing someone like you up front matters.”

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