Look at that gut and neck - looks like Rick's diet makes him susceptible to the Number One Killer, doesn't it? So why is he going after the supposedly number three killer?
Posted on 11/29/2006 10:31:51 AM PST by Alex Murphy
Nov. 29 - Famed pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren Wednesday defended his invitation to Democratic Sen. Barack Obama to speak at his church from objections by other evangelicals to the senator's support of abortion rights.
Obama is one of nearly 60 speakers scheduled to address the second annual Global Summit on AIDS and the Church beginning Thursday at Warren's Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif.
Obama, who is mulling a run for president, plans to take an HIV test during his appearance Friday and encourage others to do the same. The Illinois Democrat will be joined by a potential 2008 White House rival -- Republican Sen. Sam Brownback of Kansas.
Conservative evangelical Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy Council, e-mailed reporters Tuesday to protest the visit because of Obama's support of abortion rights. "Senator Obama's policies represent the antithesis of biblical ethics and morality, not to mention supreme American values," Schenck wrote.
Saddleback responded with a statement acknowledging "strong opposition" to Obama's participation. The church said participants were invited because of their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and that Warren, author of the "Purpose Driven Life," opposes Obama's position on abortion and other issues.
"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," the statement said.
The statement cited a letter that Warren sent to other pastors before the 2004 election that said, "To be truly pro-life means far more than opposing abortion. It also means doing everything in our power to keep people alive, so they might respond to the grace of Jesus Christ. Sometimes that means working with people you disagree with. With AIDS killing 8,000 people a day, saving lives is more important to us than political alignment."
The statement also noted that Obama will not address the Saddleback congregation, but a conference of leaders focusing on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
"Our goal has been to put people together who normally won't even speak to each other," the Saddleback statement said. "We do not expect all participants in the Summit discussion to agree with all of our evangelical beliefs. However, the HIV/AIDS pandemic cannot be fought by evangelicals alone. It will take the cooperation of all -- government, business, NGOs and the church."
Obama was not immediately available for comment.
Though still in his first term in the Senate, Obama has attracted national attention for his fresh face, commanding speaking style and compelling personal story. He also has encouraged liberals to engage in religious discourse and not leave the topic to conservatives to claim as their own.
While in California, Obama also plans a Friday night appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" to promote his best-selling book, "The Audacity of Hope."
As part of his consideration for a presidential run, Obama will make his first political visit to New Hampshire on Dec. 10 for a celebration of the state Democratic Party's victories in the congressional, gubernatorial and legislative races.
Obama has traveled to Iowa, site of the leadoff presidential caucuses, but New Hampshire hasn't been on his itinerary.
The race for the 2008 Democratic nomination is considered wide open, and at least a dozen potential contenders are weighing formal bids, including front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York.
"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," the statement said....
....The statement cited a letter that Warren sent to other pastors before the 2004 election that said, "To be truly pro-life means far more than opposing abortion. It also means doing everything in our power to keep people alive, so they might respond to the grace of Jesus Christ. Sometimes that means working with people you disagree with. With AIDS killing 8,000 people a day, saving lives is more important to us than political alignment."
ABC is seizing the opportunity to do some campaigning for their liberal hopeful. Here you go Warren. This is why it is a bad idea. Oh, and guess what Warren? There are lots of diseases in the world. And everyone is going to die of something. Better that they go to death prepared to meet their Maker by facing up to the sin in their lives rather than that they simply get a bit more time to shake their fist at Him.
Rick Warren, who attended and presented at the AIDS conference, said although he thinks ABC is good, he would like to share two alternative models – "SLOW" and "STOP," that consider a greater number of factors and situations. According to Saddleback Church staff members who went to Toronto with Warren, the two alternative models were presented for the first time at the ecumenical pre-conference held a few days prior to IAC.Warren's AIDS initiative"Instead of debating ABC, I think the question to ask is: ‘What is the purpose of prevention?’ Tell me what the purpose of prevention is and I’ll tell you which strategy you should use," Warren told The Christian Post this week during an interview. "Is your purpose to curb or reduce the pandemic? Or is it to cure it, get rid of it?"
Warren said many people are more interested in slowing down the pandemic instead of stopping it because they are not willing to make behavioral changes. Although he disagrees, saying it’s a "primarily behavior-based disease," his "SLOW" model offers four steps that will reduce the number of people infected with AIDS.
"SLOW" stands for Supply condoms, Limit the number of partners, Offer needle exchanges to addicts, and Wait for sex as long as possible.
"Those four things will slow the pandemic; no doubt about it," commented Warren. "They’re very popular and at the conference those four were talked about over and over because they don’t require behavioral change. They’re not painful. They don’t allow you to need much discipline. They’re just easy to do. So they’re popular and they’re easy."
However, the "STOP" model, which requires behavioral changes and is "much more difficult," will stop the pandemic in "one single generation," according to Warren. "STOP" stands for Save sex for marriage, Train men to treat women with respect, Offer nutrition and medications through churches, and Pledge yourself to one partner.
Kay Warren (Rick's wife) and the AIDS initiative
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1703266/posts
Gee, imagine how the media would be treating Rick Warren if he were not an abortion-apologist, pro-gay rights, and pro-terrorst? Rick Warren may bring the media to finally find religion, but not exactly sure what religion it is.
Obama doesn't know squat about AIDS. Warren is consciously assisting this clown's grab for political power.
On the STOP model, what's up with the offer of nutrition and medication through churches? What do doctors and hospitals do these days?
How about this....Choking: children's number one killer.
Seems to me it's the disease that causes the second death Warren should focus on. You know, that SIN disease.
Re 21:8 - But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars--their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death."
It's going to be very fascinating . . . and sad . . .
to see Warren's critics
held strictly, firmly and fiercely to the standards and attitudes they have applied against him.
Look at that gut and neck - looks like Rick's diet makes him susceptible to the Number One Killer, doesn't it? So why is he going after the supposedly number three killer?
Barack should work on his clapping. He claps like a sissy when he sings in Church.
Good question. His time might be better spent on an exercise bike than in an AIDS conference.
So Warren carrying water for those who support abortion rights is OK by you? What about his condom-distribution ideas? Do you agree with his coddling of Syria?
ping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.