"Purpose Driven" church distances itself from Sen. Obama speaking there . . .

[Bluebear]

How's that "reaching out to evangelicals" going, Senator?


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EXCERPT FROM PRESS RELEASE

...Two of the participants, U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-Ill) and Sam Brownback (R-Kan), represent two different political perspectives.

Though he is not a keynote speaker, Purpose Driven and Saddleback Church are acutely aware of the strong opposition to Democratic Senator Barack Obama being one of many featured participants on the program.

While knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS, the speakers at the Summit do not necessarily reflect the beliefs of Saddleback Church, its pastoral leadership or the congregation. As a result, we're not making an endorsement of Obama or any of the other speakers. Rather by coming to Saddleback, the Summit speakers are affirming and supporting the vital role of the Church in fighting the pandemic of HIV/AIDS.

In fact, the following disclaimer is printed at the front of the Summit syllabus: "We do not endorse everything every speaker might say. With nearly 60 speakers representing different backgrounds and expertise, you'll undoubtedly hear statements you disagree with. We will, too. Each speaker represents himself or herself, not Saddleback Church or the Purpose Driven Network."

Obama was invited to share his views on AIDS, not abortion or any other issue. And he is not speaking to the Saddleback congregation, but rather to a conference comprised of ministry leaders, social workers and health professionals all gathered to focus on this one topic – the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Let it be made very clear that Pastor Warren and Saddleback Church completely disagree with Obama's views on abortion and other positions he has taken, and have told him so in a public meeting on Capitol Hill. Anyone who has read The Purpose Driven Life, specifically chapters two and 22, knows the Warrens are staunchly pro-life, because it's the biblical position....

http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/864651610.html

[PVnRT]

1. Uh.....OK

Should he NOT be exposing them to a different viewpoint in a non-confrontational manner?

[frebrd]

2. They're not interested in a different viewpoint...

only in imposing their own.

His earlier comments about reaching out to evangelicals sent up instant red flags for me. Pretty much a permanent turn-off, I'm afraid.

[Patchuli]

3. Beg to differ, but

having attended Saddleback Church, it's an awesome place. They don't discuss abortion, they stay away from those sorts of things. They don't beat you over the head to conform to their views. The pastor, Rick Warren is a genuine good man and the church does a lot of charity work. I don't blame them for not wanting people to think the views expressed by the speakers reflect those of the church.

Not all (we) evangelicals are nuts in the head.

[Sherman A1]

4. Well Said

It's the debate and exchange of ideas in a respectful manner that is important (i.e. The Process). We don't have to agree with a speaker or an idealology, but as long as they are resepctful of the audience and bring genuine debate to a forum - how does this hurt? We all gain when we can listen to well informed good speakers. We can then draw our own conclusions from what they have said.