I was watching Meet the Press over the weekend (because I’m a party animal like that) and heard Pastor Rick Warren says things that would make anyone’s head spin.

Take this exchange:

MR. GREGORY: Just sticking with that topic for just a moment. If the issue of legalizing gay marriage comes up again… MR. WARREN: Mm-hmm. MR. GREGORY: …on the ballot in California… MR. WARREN: Mm-hmm. MR. GREGORY: …would you work to fight that? MR. WARREN: You know, my position on gay marriage is very clear and it hasn’t changed. What I do believe in is that it is my job to love everybody, no doubt about it. MR. GREGORY: So you would fight it? MR. WARREN: Well, again, I’m not a politician. I didn’t fight it in the last issue…

He “loves” everybody… unless you happen to be a gay person who wants to get married like straight people do. In that case, screw you.

Warren wasn’t an official ringleader in support of California’s Prop 8 last year, but he’s arguably the most influential Christian in the world and anything he advocates to his congregation will have an impact well beyond the walls of his church.

He knows that and it’s pathetic that he pretends otherwise.

MR. GREGORY: So you would fight it? MR. WARREN: Well, again, I’m not a politician. I didn’t fight it in the last issue. What was misunderstood is people, people on both sides tried to make me the campaign leader. I only mentioned it one time, and I mentioned it to my own congregation when I was asked, “What is our position on this?” and I made a video for our congregation. Well, that was dumb, because it immediately went everywhere and then all the sudden it looked like I was the big campaigner. And — but I wasn’t. Of course I have a position on it. As a pastor, I happen to believe what the Bible says…

What does the Bible say about this?

Ah, yes, 1 Corinthians 13:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Unless you’re a homo.

I cannot for the life of me understand how certain Christians can claim to love all people while at the same time actively fighting to stop others from experiencing the joy of marriage. How do you not see the contradiction?

Warren, whether he likes it or not, helps lead the charge. Don’t believe me? Just think of the ripple effect in the Christian community if Warren told his congregation that they should not vote against gay marriage, that homosexuals should be allowed to get married, and that Saddleback Church would be glad to sanctify those marriages in the name of Jesus.

You think other Christians wouldn’t take notice?

Anyway, Warren is in the headlines this week for another reason, too. Martin Ssempa is a Ugandan pastor who has made appearances at Saddleback in the past. He is currently supporting legislation that could make sodomy punishable by death in his country.

Anyone in a position of authority who is aware of a gay or lesbian individual has 24 hours to inform police or face jail time. Individuals found to engage in efforts to sexually stimulate another for the purpose of homosexual relations, or found touching another for that purpose, will face life in prison. Those who engage in “aggravated homosexuality” — defined as repeated homosexual relations or sexual contact with others who are HIV/AIDS infected — will face the death penalty.

So two gay people in a committed relationship could be killed because of their acts of love.

Even outside the gay marriage issue, this is clearly injustice that any Christian would oppose. Warren says he severed contact with Ssempa years ago, which is fine, but surely he could condemn the legislation, right?

Of course not. Here’s what Warren said in response to this piece of legislation:

“The fundamental dignity of every person, our right to be free, and the freedom to make moral choices are gifts endowed by God, our creator. However, it is not my personal calling as a pastor in America to comment or interfere in the political process of other nations.”

Rick Warren: Spreading the love.

(This is the same Warren who said in the Meet the Press interview that the number of abortions since Roe v Wade “is a holocaust.”)

Whether it’s other nations or our nation, he has no problem taking political sides when it suits his needs. It’s shameful he’s not taking a stance now when the correct response is so painfully obvious. His silence speaks volumes about his character.

(Thanks to everyone for the link)



