Why Warren's Selection Is A(nother) Wake Up Call

[babylonsister]

http://jbf.typepad.com/jasmine_beachferrara/2008/12/why-warrens-selection-is-another-wake-up-call.html

Why Warren's Selection Is A(nother) Wake Up Call


I am still wrestling with what to make of Rick Warren's selection to lead the Inaugural Invocation. Like Prop 8, it feels like another slap in the face, another acutely clear snapshot of the work we still need to do. Frankly, I'd rather know where we stand and move forward strategically than remain misguidedly optimistic.

Through a political lens, there are two ways that I read Obama's selection of Rick Warren: Obama's trying to find common cause around issues of global poverty and HIV/AIDS (with a heterosexual bent) with the emerging generation of evangelical leadership; and he's sending a clear message that differences of belief about LGBT rights will not, as they so long have, stand in the way of this coalition building. (Warren equates homosexuality with pedophilia and incest; Obama opposes gay marriage but has made strong statements in favor of gay civil rights and recognizing the humanity of gay people).

While it is right for the LGBT community to register its outrage and hurt, we must also act quickly to adapt to a new political climate: We are no longer living in the age of either single issue or identity politics. The LGBT community needs to develop a clear-sighted 8-year strategy for the pieces of legislation we want to get passed within two Obama terms, and this legislative agenda must extend beyond LGBT civil rights. It should, for example, include legislation related to HIV/AIDS funding both domestically and globally.

LGBT people also care about global poverty and the AIDS pandemic (which is both a global and domestic issue). We cannot, and should not, absent ourselves from the table of communities coming together around these shared concerns. The LGBT community has long years of experience working around HIV/AIDS and the opportunity to share this knowledge and these skills with a global community. If Rick Warren is serious about addressing the HIV/AIDS crisis than he needs to be working with LGBT people, and he needs to approach the disease from a holistic framework that sees the virus for what it is: a pandemic that affects all identities.

Beyond this, I cannot help but see this moment as another reminder of the great challenge before the LGBT community: we must both assert our humanity and engage directly with those who hold Warren's beliefs.

[TygrBright]

1. Why is Warren's selection a "wake up call", but not Lowery's selection? n/t

[babylonsister]

2. The author is addressing the bad feelings associated

with Warren and the gay community. I think her point is that there are bigger issues that need to be dealt with and perhaps having Warren as a friend (okay, not friend, ally) instead of foe could help in the long run.

No one seems to have any problems with Lowery.

[TygrBright]

3. Fair enough. But I'm getting a little weary...

...of people running in circles, screaming and shouting about the "symbolism" and "betrayal" of this selection-- the preacher who will be the last to invoke public prayer during the Bush Administration, without even (apparently) noticing who Obama selected to give the benediction-- the preacher who will be the first to publicly bless the Obama Administration.

tiredly,
Bright

[babylonsister]

5. I posted this because

it seemed to me the author was trying to find a ray of sunshine in Warren's invitation, that world poverty and AIDS education might get more focus and funding. So she's not at all talking about betrayal but about the future. Trust me, I'm not trying to stir up any more conflict than there already is here.

also tiredly,
'sis

[FrenchieCat]

10. A lot of people don't know the difference between a convocation and a benediction....

Of the two, the Benediction is the most symbolic and important one,
as it is the actually blessing...and is the last "word" literally.

Benediction is often employed as a conclusion to other services, e.g. Vespers, Compline, the Stations of the Cross, etc., but it is also still more generally treated as a rite complete in itself.

In the Orthodox Church, benedictions will occur at both the beginning and the end of each service, and there may be other benedictions during the course of the service. The final benediction (the dismissal) is the most important, and will often entail mention of the feast or saint being commemorated that day.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benediction

benediction 
/ˌbɛnɪˈdɪkʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 1. an utterance of good wishes.
2. the form of blessing pronounced by an officiating minister, as at the close of divine service.
3. a ceremony by which things are set aside for sacred uses, as a church, vestments, or bells.
4. (usually initial capital letter) Also called Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. a service consisting of prayers, at least one prescribed hymn, censing of the congregation and the Host, and a blessing of the congregation by moving in the form of a cross the ciborium or monstrance containing the Host.
5. the advantage conferred by blessing; a mercy or benefit.




while the convocation is an acknowledgment of the gathering of many, but not much else.
It is not a religious ritual....as it was first observed by Universities.

A Convocation (Latin 'calling together', translating the Greek ecclesia) is a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose.

In some Universities for example, the term "convocation" refers specifically to the entirety of the alumni of the university, which function as one of the university's representative bodies.

At some universities and colleges (e.g. University of Chicago, Vassar College, Cornell University, Teachers College, Columbia University, most Indian universities and most Canadian universities), graduation events are called "convocations," as opposed to commencements, as in other US universities. At others, such as the University of Oklahoma and University of Utah, graduation ceremonies consist of both a commencement and a convocation with the commencement being the larger, university-wide ceremony and the individual colleges presenting degrees at a convocation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convocation



convocation 
/ˌkɒnvəˈkeɪʃən/ Show Spelled Pronunciation Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 1. the act of convoking.
2. the state of being convoked.
3. a group of people gathered in answer to a summons; assembly.
4. Anglican Church. either of the two provincial synods or assemblies of the clergy.
5. Protestant Episcopal Church. a. an assembly of the clergy of part of a diocese.
b. the area represented at such an assembly.
6. a formal assembly at a college or university, esp. for a graduation ceremony.

[TygrBright]

12. Actually, Warren will deliver the Invocation...

...which is, technically, a request for God's presence.

You're absolutely right, though, that the Benediction is far more significant.

Why do people keep missing this? Do they LIKE having something to twist their knickers about?

curiously,
Bright

[Dennis Donovan]

4. "...engage directly with those who hold Warren's beliefs"

I'm having a hard time seeing how engaging with Warren and his minions will change much. Because of their dogmatism, they would have to suspend their beliefs completely to even come close to understanding this as a Civil Rights issue.:shrug:

[babylonsister]

6. Warren recently hosted the third annual global AIDS summit.

I'd say there's some common ground there.

http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Third-Annual-Saddleback-Global-Summit-on-AIDS--26-The-Church-Focuses-on-Cooperative-Leadership-3A-7186-1/

Dr. Rick and Kay Warren opened the third annual Saddleback global Summit on AIDS & The Church by challenging attendees on the desperate need for leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

"People are asking, 'How many people have AIDS?' -- but that is the wrong question; rather, we should be asking, 'Why should anyone have AIDS?'," Dr. Warren said. "You are God's plan to bring relief to this pandemic."

"There are some things in this world that I don't have hope for, but I believe in the depth of my heart that HIV/AIDS can be stopped, because it will only take one thing -- real leaders," Dr. Warren added.

[Dennis Donovan]

7. But AIDS isn't merely a disease that affects only LGBT...

...it affects everyone. Good for him for taking a stand against disease and death. It doesn't change his dug-in stand against Civil Rights for Every American.:shrug:

[babylonsister]

9. I'm not going to argue with you, DD. You made a statement, I responded,

and I'm refusing to get into it. Once burned, twice shy? ;)

[Dennis Donovan]

11. It's a tough call...

...and I certainly would like to find common ground with those with whom I disagree with. But, sometimes, those people are so wrapped up in their beliefs (especially when it comes to religious dogma) that there's little likelihood of agreement. Warren should recognize this as a Civil Rights issue (which it is), but he has vehemently refused to in the past because of his religious beliefs.:hi:

[babylonsister]

13. The thing is, I don't

disgree with you at all. I think Warren is a snake, I'm sorry he's involved, I'm sorry for all the hurt feelings on the part of the GLBT community. Too bad his religion doesn't allow him to embrace all people.

:hi:

[ecstatic]

8. I think the writer is saying that those unwilling to work together may

end up being left out in the cold. Gays with evangelicals; blacks with racists who face the same economic issues; etc.