The response I wish Obama had sent Rick Warren re his invitation:

[LuckyLib]

Thank you for inviting me to attend the Saddleback Forum. I am always encouraged when Americans choose to gather, to listen, and to discuss issues that interest them. But given that this is a religious forum, I must respectfully decline. At the moment, I am a candidate for President of the United States. As such, I must focus on the struggles our nation faces on every front: international, national, local, and community issues that daily and directly affect our families, our work, and our country. I happen to be of the Christian faith, one of many in our nation, but I believe my faith to be personal. Americans are much more interested in my beliefs about choices and decisions that would be made from the White House, choices that reflect our need to take care of each other, to work for a decent life for both our national and our global community, to respect our place in the world, and to keep our planet sustained.

The separation of church and state is a foundation of our nation. With that in mind, I know you will respect my decision to decline your invitation. Thank you. B. Obama

[TlalocW]

1. Unfortunately...

That part about Americans being more interested in decisions made from the White House instead of personal, religious beliefs is not entirely true.

But I hope that I will live long enough that when asked about their personal, religious views by reporters or self-appointed religious "leaders," both nominees will respond, "None of your damn business."

TlalocW

[sellitman]

2. Excellent! Voted # 1 and rec't

You nailed it.

[skepticscott]

3. Thank you...

How bat-shit crazy was it to give a fundamentalist right-wing whacko like Rick Warren the power of approval over our presidential candidates? And not just this time...now that he's tasted that power, he's not likely to give it up, so you can expect this to be a regular and required event on the campaign trail in the future. And a "faith" forum? Please. As if you could even HAVE a forum on such a vapid and vacuous notion as faith. "Faith" is just a nauseating euphemism for "Forum on issues that are important to religious fundamentalists because god says so". What in the world qualifies Warren to preside over such an event, other than pure hubris? He doesn't represent all Christians, or even a majority of them, and he doesn't even speak for all fundamentalists.

People need to see this for what it is...an end run around the constitutional ban on religious tests for public office by the religious right. Since Warren is a private citizen and his church a private organization, they technically are not covered by that ban, but make no mistake...this is their way of ensuring that no one but a publicly confessed Christian can be elected president.

What's even sadder is that when Obama was invited to participate in a forum at which policy issues involving science and technology would be discussed, he did not even bother to respond...he just ignored it. To be fair, so did all the other candidates, but I would have hoped for better from Obama in a truly important policy area like science.

[barack the house]

4. I don't see how it is bad for him. He proved that he was christian & knew verses from the bible...

To get elected it's earning people's trust. He did fantastic considering he was on his opponents turf. Obama for his own good and ease in running his presidency has to at least show he's willing to listen to all side. Like it or not religion plays a big part in the elections so wiser to address it than to shun it. Obama is finding the balance between the two sides of believer and non believer.

Obama got one think strikingly right in his book. Democrats will not be elected to the executive office unless they become more at peace with faith. Even as a atheist I can see that is a cold hard reality. If the Evangelical movement is worrying to people then is for some in the north to move to red states and teach the values of science and tolerance.

[LuckyLib]

5. The Fundies are getting their nose even further into the tent. Presidential candidates

should not have to make appearances at the behest of ministers for purposes of discussing morals and religion. It is out of line. This will now be expected of every presidential contest.

[AllentownJake]

6. Meeting with the President of Iran good

Meeting with a Pastor in Califronia bad.:silly:

Seriously folks how do you expect him to meet with world leaders who are hostile to our country for a variety of reason and talk about his positions when he can't go to a church in America and talk about his positions without everyone getting bent out of shape.

[FrenchieCat]

7. That would have been a dumb move.

You know that, right?

[LuckyLib]

8. Unfortunately, in our country today, yes. He couldn't have done it.

That's what is so frightening. The Christian evangelicals have far too much power.