Yes, we can.

[Gemini Cricket]

So much to say about Warren at the Obama block party inaugural bash but no time to do it. Will post later.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

You're all right.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I understand WHY he thinks it's a good idea. I do not agree with the reasoning. He's smart, he's not infallible.

[Ghoulish Delight]

To elaborate, the reasons that have been given in support of the decision are the same reasons that have been given for the last decade+ that have resulted in more and more polarization. They're the same reasons that allow the loudest, most radical representatives of a given position be the ones that are given the most credence. And they're the very things I voted for Obama to get away from.

He had the opportunity here to put on the national stage a religious leader who is against gay marriage but has been reasonable in their actions and their discourse. THAT would have been real change. THAT would have been progress towards resolution. He chose instead the status quo. Feeding the cycle by propping up the one of the key figures responsible for the divisiveness, based on the flawed logic that appeasing a vocal minority is the way to mend bridges.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

To elaborate, the reasons that have been given in support of the decision are the same reasons that have been given for the last decade+ that have resulted in more and more polarization. They're the same reasons that allow the loudest, most radical representatives of a given position be the ones that are given the most credence. And they're the very things I voted for Obama to get away from.

I think our biggest disagreement is on the amount of credence this gives. I also don't think that Warren is "the most radical" by any means. He may be the most popular and powerful though. He was voted one of the 100 most influential people of last year.

He had the opportunity here to put on the national stage a religious leader who is against gay marriage but has been reasonable in their actions and their discourse. THAT would have been real change. THAT would have been progress towards resolution.

Here, you lost me because I don't find being against gay marriage to be a reasonable position, regardless of who the leader is. Real change would be doing away with this religious invocation altogether. And progress towards resolution will come from real policy, along with the changing of minds - not from choosing a different pastor who is also against gay marriage but less influential. All in my humble opinion, of course.

He chose instead the status quo. Feeding the cycle by propping up the one of the key figures responsible for the divisiveness, based on the flawed logic that appeasing a vocal minority is the way to mend bridges.

I don't see it as appeasement, but rather representation - not of a vocal minority, but a vocal majority. It's easy to write this guy off as a blowhard nutcase, but I suspect he represents far more people's views than you realize - people, who in my opinion present the most formidable obstacle we face. Polarization comes from simply writing them off as unimportant. Changing their minds is incredibly important. And again, I don't think this is about trying to reach or change Warren; I think it is about opening the door to reaching his followers. We obviously have differing views about that approach and about its effectiveness, but I'm just calling it as I see it.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I'm certainly not trying to suggest infallibility. I'm just saying that he doesn't strike me as someone who made this decision without giving it some thought first. And based on what I've seen from him so far, I've been pretty impressed. So I'm willing to cut him some slack and see where this leads. Time will tell if the positive outweighs the negative.

[Gn2Dlnd]

Hey Christophobes! I've got your most recent installment of Pastor Rick's News and Views over at the Prop 8 thread.

Thanks, Americablog!

[mousepod]

FYI, Gene Robinson: Gay Bishop Giving Obama Inauguration Prayer.

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by mousepod

FYI, Gene Robinson: Gay Bishop Giving Obama Inauguration Prayer.

At the Lincoln Memorial inauguration kickoff on Sunday.

I'm debating weather to go down for this one or not....



(Yes, that was an intentional use of the word 'weather'. January means something in these parts...)

[flippyshark]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

At the Lincoln Memorial inauguration kickoff on Sunday.

I'm debating weather to go down for this one or not....



(Yes, that was an intentional use of the word 'weather'. January means something in these parts...)

But was it an intentional use of "go down?" (sorry)