The Importance Of Rick Warren's Event

The New Republic: Politically, The Joint Appearance Is Good For Both Candidates, But Better For Obama

(The New Republic)  This column was written by Alan Wolfe.

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With Barack Obama and John McCain slated to appear together this Saturday at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, we asked TNR contributing editor Alan Wolfe, director of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College, to weigh in on the significance of the event and Warren's broader role in evangelical politics:

This Saturday, August 16th, Barack Obama and John McCain will make a joint appearance at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. Religion can have that kind of impact. During the Democratic primaries, at that point where Obama and Hillary Clinton were barely on speaking terms, both appeared at Messiah College, an evangelical school in Pennsylvania.

Politically, the joint appearance is good news for both candidates -- but better news for Obama. Politicians rarely lose votes by appearing in church. But since the Republicans have had something of a lock on the votes of white evangelicals, McCain's appearance at Saddleback is not big news. That Rick Warren has invited Obama, and for the second time no less, is. Warren is America's anti-Falwell. If he has little interest in removing evangelicals from politics, he has taken the lead in removing them from automatic identification with Republicans. Equal time in a megachurch is a decided advantage for any Democrat, especially one like Obama, who has been polling relatively well among religious voters. In fact, according to the Barna Group, which routinely surveys Christians, Obama leads McCain among every group except those who call themselves evangelical; even those who prefer the term "born-again" give the edge to Obama.

Regardless of which candidate benefits the most from this joint appearance, however, the biggest winner is Warren himself. A wildly successful author and church planter, Warren is leading an effort to focus the attention of Christian conservatives on questions of social justice. Most of his work in this regard has taken place in Africa, especially Rwanda, whose president, Paul Kagame, seems determined to build a purpose-driven nation in the aftermath of the genocide that once marked his country (and for which he may bear some responsibility). There is no doubt something of a missionary aspect to Warren's work in the region, but once California exurbanites see the devastating effects of AIDS and poverty, they are unlikely to ignore the same problems in West Central Los Angeles.

For those who believe that Sinclair Lewis' Elmer Gantry -- and its portrayal of evangelical preachers as hypocritical frauds -- offers the last word on conservative Christianity, Rick Warren cannot possibly be a force for good. I have yet to let Jesus enter my life, but I admire Warren. We once appeared on a panel together along with Harvard's Peter Gomes at the Aspen Ideas Festival. When it came time for questions, a woman stood up, proclaimed her Judaism, and asked Warren if she was going to burn in hell. He paused before responding -- and then answered her question the only way it could be answered. Yes, he said to audible gasps. My reaction was that either you believe that Jesus is the savior or you do not, and I found myself impressed that Warren remained true to his convictions, knowing full well that the audience would not like what he said.

The important question is not what Warren believes, but what he does. Of all the things he does, the most important is severing a link between conservative religion and conservative politics. Even as recently as the Jimmy Carter presidency, evangelicals put God before party. But starting with the Reagan years, they increasingly reversed their priorities. Jesus no longer saved; Ronald Reagan and George Bush did. Our sins were no longer a matter between us and our God, but involved us and our State. Transgression was criminalized. Courts and politicians judged us, not a Supreme Being.

All of this was an odd step for religious believers to take. If matters of the spirit are eternal and transcendent, why would you conflate your faith in Jesus with your allegiance to James Dobson? The Christian right was more right than Christian. Its poisonous influence on American politics is well-documented. But it also had negative consequences for American religion. Faith is, and ought to be, about more than your position on late-term abortions.

If Rick Warren is successful in linking both political parties with his church, he will pave the way to a situation in which churches will no longer be identified with any political party. Then and only then will evangelical Protestantism become the moral and spiritual force it ought to be, urging its members to manifest their compassion, reminding them of their inclination to sin, and helping them find ways to reconcile their conviction that their God is the one and true Lord with those who adhere to other faiths or none at all.

The joint appearance of McCain and Obama at Saddleback is only one event in a long political campaign. But it is also a significant antidote to the poison that the religious right injected into American politics. The United States is unlikely ever to be as secular as Western Europe. If a better balance between religion and politics is to come about, it will because of what religious leaders do, and not because of what non-believers such as myself want to happen.

[meek33]

So I heard John McCain met with T. Boon Pickens this morning
and it seems that McCain will be adopting the Pickens Plan?
I wonder if a vice president Pickens is in the works.
http://www.boonepicken.com

[sparks224]

meek33,
T. Boon Pickens is the biggest fip-flopper of all time.
He was a big oil man, now he''s pushing alternatives (I think he hates America).

[matter77]

Doubtful. McCain will likely choose a VP younger than himself, by at least ten years. I imagine this is intended to alleviate fears related to his age in office. If so, were he to choose someone of Pickens'' age, it would hurt him. The VP doesn''t have to be very young, because age is only one of many issues.

Liberal voters feel more strongly a candidate should be young, even VERY young. A young, self-absorbed, good-looking, hedonist that is unable to distinguish between right and wrong is ideal.

[matter77]

The icing on a liberal candidate would be if he/she were an atheist who was sure we don''t have to answer to anyone. After all, "who are you to cram your ideas down my throat" would be the national motto and pressed into coins. How do you put that in Latin?

[sparks224]

matter77,
Thomas Jefferson, the man who wrote the Constitution of the United States, believed very deeply in a wall of separation between church and state. He felt it was the only way we can truly have religious freedom in this country.

It sounds to me like you disagree with Mr. Jefferson.
Why do you hate America?

[thogek-2009]

Sounds like this should be a different and interesting format. Not to mention quite an opportunity for Mr. Warren.

Not to belittle Mr. Warren or his effort, here, but... It''s kinda too bad, though, that it''s still only including Status Quo and Status Quoer. You wanna really probe into what the candidates are about, how they''re different, and how they''ll respond to other ideas (and really get Mr. Warren known as probing for what''s really best for the American public), include more than just two of ''em. Take a look at http://www.votesmart.org/election_president.php and see what other party-nominated choices the voting public has, actually look at what each is saying and offering, and include some of them. The Libertarians at least are usually on all 50 state ballots, so why not include their candidate as well and see how Obama and McCain respond to his ideas (and vice versa)?

[samthetvcat]

---"Sounds like this should be a different and interesting format. Not to mention quite an opportunity for Mr. Warren."---
Posted by Thogek

My grand-aunt LOVES his book, but yeah is he more concerned about getting us a good President or about making both candidates look good so he can elevate his own platform (?)

Like you think after he''s made such a big deal about speaking out on marital fidelity that he''ll have the guts to ask Barack for a yes/no answer to the question of whether he''s ever slept with other women since marrying Michelle? Wording is key because Barack will likely consider himself ''honest'' for saying he''s been ''faithful'', ''hasn''t cheated'', or ''had an affair'' in much the same way Bill didn''t have ''sexual relations'' with Monica . . .

[thatanial]

i usually only read these garbage comments for a bit of humor when work gets slow.

but Thomas Jefferson did not write the constitution, he wrote the Declaration of Independance, and even that he was told what to write by the likes of Franklin, Adams, and Washington amung others.

He also never mentioned a wall between church and state. Neither did the constitution.

They were all concerned about a state run religion, and a religous run state. The likes of the Church of England. But much of the government from its very inception had a major religious theme.

[sparks224]

thatanial,
You''re right about Jefferson and the Constitution, however he clearly believed in a wall of separation between church and state and said so in a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802in which he said the following:

%u201CI contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state.%u201D

Notice the words "wall of separation between church and state"

I accept your apology.

[sparks224]

matter77,
Thomas Jefferson, the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence (and influenced the Constitution), believed very deeply in a wall of separation between church and state. He felt it was the only way we can truly have religious freedom in this country.

It sounds to me like you disagree with Mr. Jefferson.
Why do you hate America?

[perceptions5]

The New Republic: Politically, The Joint Appearance Is Good For Both Candidates, But Better For Obama.

........Yeah becuase the flaming liberals that run The New Republic say so..............please The New Republic works on behalf of the DNC.

So I''m not even going to read this liberal propaganda........sad

Diversify your staff, include more moderates and conservatives.

[grumpas]

........Yeah becuase the flaming liberals that run The New Republic say so..............please The New Republic works on behalf of the DNC.

So I''''m not even going to read this liberal propaganda........sad

Diversify your staff, include more moderates and conservatives.

Posted by perceptions5

Who in this country isn''t a liberal as far as you rabid conservative lunatics are concerned????? I get fed up with right wing slop that passes for news these days. What you spoon-fed fascist''s listen to every day at Fox Noise! It''s nice to know The New Republic is liberal it might be worth the effort to check out!

[sparks224]

"...without his crew of ventriloquists and puppeteers giving him the answers. He doesn''''t have any answers of his own on the issues since he hasn''''t been around long enough to understand them." "....he better hope he can take all of his "advisors" with him to Washington, because this bozo has no clue" whatsoever!"
Posted by gameoverdems

Are you sure you''re not talking about W? You know, the one you voted for?


By the way, Obama is a Graduate of the Harvard Law School (J.D. magna *** laude 1988-1991).
And was President of the Harvard Law Review.

Checkout his complete resume here:
http://obamasresume.org/

[element51]

matter77....I don''t see being an atheist as a political issue. The claim that "we don''t have to answer to anyone" is not really accurate. As an atheist I feel that I do have to answer to myself. The idea that we are satan worshiping monsters is so off base it''s almost laughable. It is not and has never been my objective to try to "convert" anyone to my way of thinking. I was raised in the church and did not just decide one day to be an atheist. I believe that everyone should be free to decide what their beliefs are. I do not look down upon those who differ in their beliefs, I support them 100 per cent. Maybe you should have a rational calm discussion with an atheist some day. You might find that we are normal people and not to be feared. We are no threat to you. And I am not offended by religious icons or ceremonies. Anything that brings comfort to a person is a good thing. The basic tennants of religion are good, it''s "organized religion" that I have a problem with.

[ioweign]

So I heard John McCain met with T. Boon Pickens this morning
and it seems that McCain will be adopting the Pickens Plan?
I wonder if a vice president Pickens is in the works.
http://www.boonepicken.com

Posted by meek33 at 05:24 PM : Aug 15, 2008



Pickens is into windpowered energy and McCain has lotsa hot air...

[paris1969]

"Warren is America''s anti-Falwell." ... this is not necessarily true ... he is not that removed from Falwell ... just slicker!!

[jsilver2th]

poor mccain will be glad obama didn;t agree to his 10 town halls

[dashortround]

Words of genuine wisdom, from a genuine American:

"In religion and politics, people''s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination." ~Mark Twain

"If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be: a Christian." ~Mark Twain

[samthetvcat]

I didn''t realize this was designed to be non-confrontational . . . I thought Rick Warren did a great job - very fair, and some very tough questions!

[andylance1]

Of the three major sins of racism, sexism and ageism in our society, only the first two are fully recognized. This year, partisan politics are exacerbating the belief that anyone over 70 is a doddering old fool with a mind of mush.

Surprisingly, it is the more "primitive" tribal cultures of native Americans, Africans, etc. that hold the elders in high esteem. The word ageist should be spoken with the same contempt as racist and sexist.

[veteran188]

Element51, well said! Enough of the backward thinking

netherworld believing, old white guy with a beard

living in outer space and being a super hero

following,

Christians.

The problem with American today is the pimping and pandering that goes on with the Anti-Science, the
Anti-Intellectual, the Anti-American,

THE MINDLESS CHRISTIANS

[beaujolie1]

there is no longer any importance of that Forum since McCain was not in a cone of silence and had ample opportunity, along with his staff, to listen to Obama''s questions and answers. That Forum no longer has any credibility, and neither does McCain.