Gay Bishop to Offer Inauguration Prayer

The openly-gay Bishop Gene Robinson, a New Hampshire bishop of the Episcopal Church, has announced that he will be delivering a prayer at this coming Sunday’s kick-off for the inauguration activities. The event will be held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

Many members and leaders of the gay community have voiced loud criticism since it was announced a few weeks ago that President-Elect Obama had invited the vocal, anti-gay Rick Warren to deliver the invocation for the actual inauguration.

Rev. Robinson had equal criticism about Warren’s selection in an interview with Beliefnet.com: “I actually have a lot of respect for Rick Warren; amongst evangelicals, he's taken a hit for his compassionate response to AIDS, his commitment to alleviating poverty. He's done some good things. The difficult thing is that he's said, and continues to affirm, some horrendous things about homosexuality -- comparing it to incest, bestiality, that kind of thing. This is not a choice that really represents everyone. This choice was just really, really unfortunate.”

Commenting on the impact of his being a part of the historical event Robinson said, "It’s important for any minority to see themselves represented in some way, whether it be a racial minority, an ethnic minority or, in our case, a sexual minority. Just seeing someone like you up front matters."

It remains to be seen if the addition of Robinson will soften the inclusion of Warren on the national platform. But even if it was an entirely politically-motivated act, at the end of the day, the gay representation will be present.

Does having Robinson part of the ceremonies make a difference for you?

(Photo: Getty Images)

Comments

[Joe Moag]

Obama has Rick Warren giving a prayer, Rev. Joseph Lowery (staunchly pro-LGBT rights) giving the Benediction, a woman minister leading the Inauguration's National Prayer service (1st woman ever to do so, and the National Prayer service dates back to Pres. Washington), and openly gay Bishop Eugene Robinson.

Souunds to me like inclusion. And, maybe I am wrong, but I thought that was one of the premises of Obama's campaign, and, I thought, something that we as Americans were supposed to hold as a value.

Silly me.

[Richard]

With regards to Rick Warren saying a prayer: "This is not a choice that really represents everyone. This choice was just really, really unfortunate."

How is there ever going to be anybody that represents everyone? Bishop Robinson doesn't represent everyone either. That's one of the neat things about America is how diverse it is. The gay community is hurting their own cause by acting so . . . well, intolerant of any view point that is not their own.

[LGBT Insider]

Nice job Bishop! (also referenced at LGBT Insider):

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=8737401226956452327

[Chuck]

"well, intolerant of any view point that is not their own."

Richard, there is a huge gulf between voicing an opinion and acting on that opinion like Rick Warren did.

He is free to voice his opinion any time he liks, but when he votes to support taking civil-rights away from the LGBT that we already legally had, he crosses the line.

That's blatant homophobia that is unconstitutional and people like him need to be stopped before they do even more damage than they've already done.

America is touted to be a free country. Why then, as taxpayers, are we not free to love and marry whom we will then and enjoy the very same benefits afforded to everyone else?

The only intolerance I see going on here, is coming from those who would deny us the right to even exist.

[SD]

Kudos to all! As a gay active member of the Episcopal Church in California, I am delighted to hear the news. I think the LGBT community needs to wake-up and see that this is not 1975 anymore. SO many main-line Christian denominations are going way out on-the-limb, risking schisms and controversy, to support LGBT rights in this country...AND in REAL TIME...not just with words and lip-service. The Episcopal Church of the United States has much to be proud of in this wonderful announcement. Wake Up, LGBTers of the U.S.! Yes, you are being accepted by some very large Christian denominations.

[Me]

Why is there soo much PRAYING going on on that day? What is this? The coronation of the pope or something? There was less praying the last time Benedict XVI got his. Hussein Osama must be out of his mind. OMG, he truly believes he is "The One". OMFG!!!

[ca_panic_fan]

How about including Bishop Robinson on the actual Inauguration Day? I'm not impressed. Seems like an after-thought.

[Tom]

I love The Rt. Rev. Gene Robinson. His eminence should be an inspiration to us all. Although I am under the jurisdiction of another bishop whom I love to death, I think it's great. However, I believe that the Obama campaign has done this purely out of political motives. I pray to God that this is not an indicator of who he will be as our next president, although I believe that it is. What else should one expect of a Chicago politician?

[Foreigner]

Firstly, I fail to see how there is ANY place for ANY kind of religious service at ANY US government function. If you have Christian ministers giving prayers, then you should have Islamic, Jewish, Mormon, (add ridiculous pre-scientific religio-cult of your choice here) giving their holy sentiments too.

And secondly, I fail to see why ANY gay man or woman should give any of these hateful doctrines ANY form of legitimacy. The reason we are despised so much by them is that we are living proof of the non-existence of their deity... And no amount of praying is going to make you live after you die my deluded brothers... And it is for this selfish reason you still subscribe to these silly dogmas.

[Paul]

I wish I hadn't voted for Obama!!!

[razamatazrex]

Ever little bit helps I am very glad to see this happen atleast Obama is trying

[Canuk]

Hi from the true north strong and free......confirmed as an anglican up here which is equivalent to episcopal down there...I am delighted that Robinson has been invited to participate....I only hope our church up here takes note of the leadership you Yanks are showing the rest of the world!....I am very hopeful for a refreshing restoration of the values we used to take for granted in the USA....oh say can you see by the dawn's early light.....the land of the free and the home of the brave....free to be gay or straight or what ever! Afer all being gay is not contagious so the straight people dont have to worry about catching it!

[Mark]

It is nothing short of good old fashioned pandering. The Dems have done it to get the gay vote for years. The Republicans do it for the religious right vote. Religion IS the "opiate of the masses" and a good politician knows how to use religion for his/her advantage.

[nolaguy28]

I continue to find it odd that the gay community continues to attack Obama over this issue. When it comes to embracing the ideals of diversity and inclusion, the gay community falls very short. While criticizing Obama, they continue to ignore the large scale racism and marginalization of minorities that exists in the gay community. Maybe the community should look inward before finding fault with others.

[JT]

I'm all for diversity, but that doesn't begin to make it Diversity to tolerate, let alone invite, someone who has been so outspoken in his loathing of us, and in his attempts to deny us basic civil rights, due to his feelings about us. I don't see any KKK members invited.

As to Warren't "work" in Africa, promoting abstaining while actively fighting condom distribution is hardly what I could call working for AIDS. Rather, it's him trying to shove his decidedly dysfunctional beliefs down other people's throats -- even at the risk of their lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Diversity is about tolerance. There must be true tolerance of all parties at the table for each other. Warren doesn't demonstrate a bit of it, and shouldn't have been invited.

Obama's not The One, or a messiah, but I tend to agree, way too much religion going on this time around.

[Yeah...]

I hate to say it, but the Religious Right is part of "everyone".... as are we all. i'm so overjoyed that Obama is following through on his words. Very few people ever do, especially of his high social ranking. It truly gives me hope that we can yet save ourselves as a species, race, and as human beings. FYI: the religious right is just us, with a different agenda... they're not bad, they just have a different point of view. when you judge them, it's as bad as when they judge us.

[Carynn]

It doesn't offset Rick Warren. I am am life long Democrat. Obama supporter. The choice of Warren to give the invocation is so offensive no one could could completely balance it out for me. I am happy about Gene Robinson, but its such an after thought. Can't always get what you want.

[Yeah...]

and what about tolerating the intolerant?

[Thom]

As long as our views are respected and represented, I'm cool. This is the Obama I voted for: fair, balanced, intellgient and a peace maker. God I LOVE having a president with a mid-range triple-digit IQ. Now if only Ann Cooter would drop dead on camera, my week would be golden.

[splashpont]

All of the activities celebrating the inauguration follow a tradition, some of which began with President George Washington himself. (Using prayer dates back to these founding fathers.) Such ceremonies are more political than personal--they say something about where America could be heading in the four years to come. Inclusion is a viture in a nation that looks to exclude based on economic status, heritage, religion, differing abilities, orientation, gender, etc., etc.

Are Obama's choices ideal? No. But this is the real world. America is democracy in the making...and we must help/vote/demonstrate to move it along.

[John]

We are all Americans no matter what our views of religion are. The one thing it isnt about gay this or gay that it's about Americans being Americans and that's how it should be percieved. On the 20'th of January it should be remarked as a man making history and Martin Luther King " I have a dream" and that's what its all about. Wow what a huge milestone in America.

[D.]

This pastor will be giving the invocation on Sunday prior to the Tuesday ceremony. Additionally, this pastor was asked to pray BEFORE Rick Warren was asked. So, those of you who posted comments such as this is an afterthought choice don't have your facts on point.

For change to happen we MUST include people with different view points (yes even Rick Warren). This will be a very inclusive administration I believe. When we include all, we learn that we all have more in common than differences. And, hopefully, those lessons will yield a greater acceptance and compassion for human kind. SO PLEASE GAY FOLKS....RELAX and be happy we have someone in office who will work for us. Give change a chance!! And, stop being so DAMN BITCHY all the time.

[Steven]

no.

[Greg]

I could care less about the religious part of the whole thing, but what ever happened to seperation from Church & state. Oh I forgot, THAT NEVER EXISTED now did it?
But the more I see Paling talk I know I made the better choice.
i voted Obama for being some what more articulate.
But I wish he would have mentioned his view of cutting Social Security BEFORE he was Elected.
I am becoming concerned about that issue.
The RepubiKKKlans will probly create problems Preventing the BLACK man from accomplishing anything anyways.
In fact I want all $500,000 i paid into social secutity NOW, I will take my chances with stock or whatever, get better credit, etc.
After all I am paying taxes for all the Hetro's Kids anyway.
I didn't grow up in Public School.As a gay man I can't adopt either.
Where is my tax break?
They OWE ME!!!
Where is my bail out?

[Jonathan]

Ehhh, it really doesn't matter to me, Im not religious so they could have a bunch of buddist monks and it wouldnt make any difference to me, what id like to see is someone from our community in the cabinet, to really be able to put our needs in front of the president

[queerplanet]

So they hire a fascist who thinks gay people are all pedophiles and in need of psychiatric help to swear in Obama.

Rick Warren also believe women who have abortions are worse then Nazis.

Well he should know.

Then Obama gets all kinds of negative response about this, so he puts a gay man into a minor role in the event to appease us.

However, Mr. Obama, your cabinet is still full of right wing, warmongers and lobbyists.

Also, having Rick Warren is no different than having someone from the KKK at the event.

What if you hired a minister who thought that black people were second class citizens with basic mental defiencies?

Would then hiring a black minister to the event fix the problem?

How about not hiring the KKK fascist in the first place?

Now you may see that as building bridges, but I think it's just crass and stupid. If I were that gay bishop I'd refuse.

Of course religious people have huge egos and are greedy so I'm sure he will attend.

How about NO mixing of religions and government? Hire a nice lounge act.

[Rich]

when are the gay people going to get it......dem's are not for gay people....neither is obama...wake up here....damn.......................

[iloveeveryone2008]

hello from newwwwwwww mexxxxxxico folks! i personally feel a huge since of betrayal because obama invited rick warren to do the invitation. over thirty years ago i was taken against my will as a child and literally forced to my knees and forced with the mans hands tight around my little neck forced to pray to and ask jesus to come into my heart...best thing that could ever have happened to me.why?? because since i was forced to pray and it was not voluntary i never truelly became one of those christians and thus thirties years later rediscovered i didnt want to be a christian not now not ever.and after seeing how destructive those republican evangelicals were for eight years in the congress and senate and seeing all the evil things they did in the name of christ ........well now you know why i feel obama has betrayed us all.worst yet we can expect more huge betrayals from him in the near future. his speech about faith and hope was nothing more than that a pipe-dream speech...

[iloveeveryone2008]

oh and by the way 24 of those years were spent being forced to go to those evangelical churches back then tho they called themselves pentecostals or some crap like that...anyways i know from experience that evangelicals do not know how to love or care or feel compassion about or for anyone ......no??dont believe me?? well lets look at what kind of evil things theyve done
1 breaking every single promise they made to us to get elected on day one in office
2 writing into legislation laws that would allow them to strip us of our god-given freedoms as americans
3 trying to force our president to turn this into a christian nation where the pledge of allegiance says under jesus christ not under god.
4 writing into legislation laws that prevent women from being able to choose whether or not they want to have the baby they are carrying or to have it aborted if neccessary to save their lives.
4 encouraging people to hate and be intolerant towards anyone who is not white and born on us soil.basically all immigrants,african americans,asians,hispanics,latinos.
5 trying to write into law,laws that would give them the power to revoke the citizen ship of all non-whites born on us soil.
6 the warrantless wiretapp program remember that one boys??
.........

[Vance]

Honestly? I'm VERY glad that the bishop can feel comfortable enough to reveal his sexual orientation under the current administration, now to say that I look for a gay priest to confess to is a bit different - I believe that people need to respect each other no matter race, religion, nation of origin or creed.

[Joe Moag]

I just love the selective reasoning being displayed here.

Obama picks Rev. Lowery - staunchly pro-LGBT - to give the Inaugural Benediction, but that counts for nothing, according to the naysayers here.

He picks Bishop Robinson to lead at an Inaugural event, but that counts for nothing, according to the naysayers here.

He picks the 1st woman minister to lead the National Prayer Service, but that counts for nothing, according to the naysayers.

Reminds me of a bunch of petulent children: "My way or no way".

You all don't seem to have the 1st interest in democracy (small "d"), inclusion, any of it...just angry "my way or no way" diatribes...

HOW RIDICULOUS this whole overblown line of "complaining" is...

[topbearcubnc]

Nothing more than lip service. The Obama team claims that Robinson was inivited prior to Warren, but why didn't Robinson mention that he had been invited too when he did his interview for Beliefnet.com? He could have said that he too had received an invitation from the President-elect but was still weighing his decision to participate.

This is nothing more than a smoke & mirror diversion to try and hide the fact that Obama will be like any other politician out there once he gets into the office he wants, play both sides against the middle when it's advantageous to do so. And when you've gotten all the support you can out of the targeted group, cast them off & begin searching for the next group you can pander to in search of the next vote.

[theWizzard]

what a break through for America! Obama our first black President Rick Warren a different yet listend to opinion and Bishop Robinson... God is lookin down smiling! conversation is the key to opening doors not drag not leather not defiance for equality just talk and open the conversation... Just think back to Anita Bryant on the 6:00 news how far we have come and how many have gone.... Peace Out theWizzard

[Techsan5]

Who the heck is going to care in 4 years who gave the prayer at his inaug??? I could care less who he's including at this point. His legacy of inclusion will rest on who he appoints over the years he's in office.

[James]

One thing I don't see anywhere in the selections of the witch doctors, pro-gay or anti-gay: Where is the nod to the 16% of the country who are atheists? When are we ever going to see the end to this ridiculous support for often dangerous rhetoric based on delirious ancient superstitions? Religion and its attendant hocus-pocus should have no place in or around government. Period.

[FRANKLIN JASKO]

I think that the issue here concerning Rick Warren is not so much one of inclusion (we are all for that) but rather one of hate mongering when one refers to the expression of physical love between two persons of the same sex as akin to bestiality and incest. For Obama to include Warren among those representing organized religious spirituality is an insult to the greater community, not just to us gay men and women. Have we already forgotten what happens when this message is interpreted as "kill the faggots" as was the result in the case of Mathew Shepherd? I voted for Obama but shame on his team nevertheless!

[Jen]

I truly believe that Obama will help our cause during his years in office. I am upset about the selection of Rick Warren, but I am very pleased about the other three ministers.

I really think though, that in the interests of practicality, we need to start focusing our energy for change on lobbying Obama and his administration for changes that he can make for us. We need to send emails, make phone calls, and hold rallies to show that we want the right to marry.

If you have books that make a good argument for same-sex marriage, mail them to the White House after the inauguration.

It is true that we do not have separation of church and state or else gay marriage would not be an issue at all. The only opposers to it are religious (or were influenced by religion). However, there are some great arguments from the religious community on why it should be legal like: "Jesus, the Bible and Homosexuality" and "What God Has Joined Together: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage."

Obama is still better than McCain would have been. Change may not be immediate because of the economic crisis, but if we make ourselves loud enough and don't go away, we may end up getting the right to marry if we fight for it hard enough.

[dme]

Good God....quit your whining and bitching. Hell, I'd rather listen to Rick Warren than a bunch of intolerant drama queens. We have so much to be thankful for.....Do you think for a moment that any previous president would include Gene Robinson in their inaugural activities? And even if President Obama is pandering to us (which I do not, by the way)....at least we're being heard for the first time in 200 years. We have a president that we can actually call "our" president. I'm thankful.

[Friend]

"Also, having Rick Warren is no different than having someone from the KKK at the event."

It defies reason to equate Rick Warren with a member of the KKK.

For what it's worth, the only Klansman in the Senate is a Democrat. (Robert Byrd of West Virginia)

In Warren's own words: "I have in no way ever taught that homosexuality is the same thing as a forced relationship between an adult and a child, or between siblings."

It doesn't get any clearer than that.

[chars__top]

Yes it makes a difference. It's a big deal for a President to ask an openly gay priest to pray at his inauguration. It sends people a good message: that this country was founded on religious freedom and we all have an equal right to develop or not develop a relationship with God. This includes gay people regardless of what some "religious" people may think.

[Rich]

Thanks Joe Moag, dme, and Techsan5. I believe that your thinking is what our LGBT community needs more of - calm and rational thinking. The choice of ministers or even no ministers is hardly the #1 problem our nation faces. Now is a time for all of us to pull our country together, not pull it apart - it's already divided enough. In general, it's important for most people, and yes, we as lesbians and gays are people, to be accepted by others. I grew up with two straight brothers and a straight sister. They accepted me - not because I was and am gay - but because I am a person. I'm a person - a human being - first. I am a man who happens to be gay after the fact that I am a person. I believe that if others accept me as a person, it doesn't matter what my sexual preference is. If others accept me as a person first, then I believe that their acceptance of me as a gay man is very probable. Whether a person is an atheist, an agnostic, a Jew, a Christian, a Muslim or whatever is not important to me. It is important to that imdividual and I will respect them and their choice. But whatever their choice, I will respect them as a person. Enough of my rambling, eh? If you read this far, thanks for giving me the opportunity to express myself.

[HT]

Nope. What matters most is the economy and our having jobs. Without money to support ourselves, there IS nothing else.

Civil unions are nothing by comparison to having a good wage paying job, and THAT is why most people voted for Obama. We want a future. We think Obama was the better choice. For the US **and** for the world.

[Jett]

Symbolism over substance,.....all of the show means nothing, what matters is what the empty suit delivering phony campaign promises actually does. Hang on to your wallet.

[Chemosh]

Queers astound me. All this warm fuzzy I see on here for a man like Warren that believes we are vermin. And if we protest about it then we are not being inclusive!?!?! Lets have a KKK member up there to make sure that there is some real inclusivness!! Having Robinson is cool just from the fact he is openly gay. But as an athiest I could care less what delusion they worship. HOWEVER!! I care a great deal when their delusion tells them that I am not fully human just as straight folks are. Then it is not just a diffence of opinion it is WAR!

[Norm]

It is pityful to see that some people can be filled with so much hate. It must be horrible to live with the heaviness of that much evil within. I hope the Most Reverend Gene Robinson prays openly for the intolerance that starts so many wars in our world.

We are ALL equals in the eyes of God ... President-elect Obama give me hope for our world ! The U.S.'s new president has much wisdom to share with his country and with the whole world.

[voixhumana]

It sounds to me like the Democratic Party is finally endevoring to build the big tent that the Republican Party has long idealized, but never actualized. Yes, it is easy to find the choice of Rick Warren as troublesome, but let's not neglect to rejoice in the fact that both he and the Right Reverend Gene Robinson are able to both pray, openly, within the same great tent.

Let us not forget that Bishop Robinson finds himself at the cetner of a very ugly and painful schism within the worldwide Anglican Communion - one that threatens to split the third largest Christian denomination in the world. Since the nineteenth century, the Archbishop of Canterbury has called all the Anglican bishops of the world to England to meet and pray together. The last such meeting was this past summer, 2008. Bishop Robinson was not able to be invited to the Conference, for fear that too many of his brother, and perhaps his sister, bishops would feel alienated and not themselves attend. In this invitation, Presedent-elect Obama has done something that the centuries-old Anglican Communion was not able to do: to call each and every one of us, throughout the political and theological spectrum, to come together in celebration and pray together in the same great tent. (Lest we think this whole tent concept is a new-fangled idea, let us not forget the words of St. Paul in fifth chapter of the Second Letter to the Corinthians.)

So, yes, I do think that this is a big deal, regardless of who has been asked to pray when.

[Johnny M]

I don't care how many bishops get piled on to this event. There are a good number of us who would be very happy if none of them spoke at all. Why does the President need to be blessed by the Imaginary Daddy in the Sky anyway?

[S Velsor IV]

Thank you President-Elect Obama. I was disappointed at your first choice, very disappointed. But allowing the Bishop to speak Sunday is a wonderful way to include us in the weeks events and the fantastic history that it will be known for. But we will never know if it is, as I'm sure it is, a political act. Had it not been political you would have made some sort of announcement within hours of your first bad choice. But again thank you for thinking of us whatever the reason - thoughts are very important.

[Michael Hurley]

Oh Please...giving the Bishop a token role on Sunday in no way makes up for giving a bigoted homophobe what is by far the most important and most visible religious role at the inauguration. Rick Warren has said horrible, horrible things about homosexuals. If he had said them about African Americans or Asians or Jews he wouldn't be allowed on the podium. Some people's views are so vile, so abhorrent, so disrespectful to others that they don't deserve a seat at the table. We've known this for a long time. No one would tolerate an unapologetic racist or anti-Semite on the podium on election day, no matter how many token spots were given out two days prior, why does our community deserve any less. We need to wise up. Barack Obama may be a nice, progressive, smart guy, but so far he has done nothing for our community buy repeat THREE times the weekend before the election that he opposes gay marriage and then put a bigot who has spewed hateful things about us in the most important religious role on inauguration day. His acts say he is -- at least so far -- not our friend.

[Jett]

This whole circus is truly laughable,..all this inclusionism is silly, all for show and nothing else,....this doesn't make Obama pro gay, he hasn't changed his opinions, they just don't want scream queen gay protesters seen on camera. It's astounding that as transparent and phony as it really is, people still can't or refuse to see it. You'll see more of these pro gay political pandering gestures when it comes time for re-election,...and not until then.