The email press release from Clinton--as cited by Kathryn Jean Lopez--reads as follows:
Present, Present, Present, Present, Present, Present, Present: As a State Senator, Barack Obama voted 'present' on seven choice bills, including a ban on 'partial birth abortion,' two parental notification laws and three 'born alive' bills. In each case, the right vote was clear, but Senator Obama chose political cover over standing and fighting for his convictions. Illinois NOW President Bonnie Grabenhofer says: "When we needed someone to take a stand, Senator Obama took a pass. He wasn't there for us then and we don't expect him to be now." Read more: http://www.illinoisnow.org/Let me see if I got the straight. Obama lacks "conviction" because he 1)failed to vote in favor of parents having no say over their under-age daughter's abortion, 2) failed to vote in favor of keeping it legal to stab a baby in the back of the head and suck out its brains, 3) failed to vote in favor protecting babies that survive an abortion procedure.
Presumably, Hillary would vote to allow all those barbaric practices.
And she wants to paint herself as "mainstream" on abortion as she works overtime to convince evangelicals that she's okay to vote for?
Rick Warren, are you paying attention?
HT: The Corner
My pastor has mentioned Rick Warren from the pulpit a couple of times painting him in positive light, especially regarding his generosity. Others have done so too in the past. I think Rick Warren has let all that money get into his head.
ReplyDelete1) There are about 2.5 million children around the world with AIDS. However, every year, over 1 million babies in the US are torn apart by tweezers at the hands of "doctors," then dismembered and finally, their brains crushed. To stop AIDS in other countries requires years of diplomacy, policy change, education and tons of money. To stop the butchering of babies in the US, a simple law needs to be passed - thats all.
2) If Rick Warren were really spirit led, he wouldn't have publicized the fact that he gave back all the salary he ever received from the Church and is donating millions. Let the left hand not know what the right hand is doing. Give in secret, and your Father above who sees it will reward you. So he paid back about say $2million in salary and has made over 70 million in book sales. There are numerous families who don't know how they'll put food on the table, but still give sacrificially. Rick, continue on this track and you may find yourself at the end of the line for the feast.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteYou make claims you can't support. How do you know Rick Warren has let money get to his head? That's an unfair, uncharitable charge you provide zero proof for. It's one thing for you to claim he's mistaken on some issues; it's quite another to level the charge you've made. I suggest you retract it.
As to your other numbered points:
1) You grossly oversimplify the political process here in the U.S. You write: "To stop AIDS in other countries requires years of diplomacy, policy change, education and tons of money. To stop the butchering of babies in the US, a simple law needs to be passed - thats all."
That's all? Really? Just pass a simple law? Sounds great, now tell me how you intend to do it so effortlessly in today's political environment. If it were as simple as you say, don't you think pro-lifers would have stopped abortion decades ago? Truth is, you won't change the law in this country without years of lobbying, court reversals, and voter education drives. Thus, if Warren is guilty of wasting time on a tedious legal process, so are you.
2) Again, you level an unsubstantiated and uncharitable charge against Warren when you write, "If Rick Warren were really spirit led, he wouldn't have publicized the fact that he gave back all the salary he ever received from the Church and is donating millions."
Actually, I wish I heard more people give testimonies about their giving exploits. It inspires me to give more. Indeed, King David (1 Chron. 29: 6-9) told the people exactly how much he'd given to the temple project as did the other leaders. It was all made public. Why? We're told in that exact passage: "The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord." The people gave enormous amounts to God because their leaders set a great example. On that score, Rick Warren is doing one heck of a job. As for the Matthew 6 passage you cite, you misinterpret the text. The problem Jesus addresses is hypocrisy and pride--that is, people whose motive for giving is to get praise from men, not God. In other words, we should not give in order to be seen by men. That's very different from saying we can't tell people what we give. Remember, Jesus also says, to "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." If the glory goes to God, there's nothing wrong with inspiring others to match your own generosity. Randy Alcorn lives on minimum wage and gave away $500,000 in book royalties to support, among other things, pro-life work. Believe me, I think about that each time I’m tempted to spend enhancing my own lifestyle.
In short, Warren's and Alcorn’s giving inspires me to live a God-glorifying life in my finances. Would your giving do the same? If so, I'd love to hear your story. I need that kind of inspiration.
One other suggestion. If you are going to make claims against a Christian leader like you do above, at least have the guts to use your real name next time.
Scott,
ReplyDeleteMy position on Rick Warren comes from my reading of his "conferences" and invitations to the likes of Obama and Clinton.
How can a Pastor in his right mind invite the most pro-abortion presidential candidate to come and talk about the cause of children and AIDS? It is this kind of gamesmanship that makes me think money and fame have got into his head.
Randy Alcorn is a true beacon of sacrificial giving. His book is very inspirational. Not quite sure I'd put him and Mr. Purpose driven in the same bucket.
ReplyDeleteScott,
ReplyDeleteMy point was that Rick in sharing the pulpit of the Church with Hillary is exhibiting very poor judgement. Indeed, Jay recently posted an entry and wondered if Rick has gone into "the bad place."
Randy Alcorn is a true inspiration and he has been for me. My financial stewardship has never been the same after I read Randy's book and more importantly, his compilation of Biblical teaching around money and giving.
Perhaps I was too emotional in my comment. I retract the emotional tirade and I'll leave this - Rick is playing dangerously with politicians and especially a woman who has sworn to enact pro-abortion laws in the first 100 hours of her presidency.
We do need leaders who inspire by their example. I'm inspired by people like K.P. Yohanan and his Gospel for Asia ministry; Central Union Mission, Prison ministries, etc. And I am also inspired by the no-nonsense logical arguments put forth in blogs such as this.
In apology,
Anonymous :) (sorry, I don't like leaving nicknames and identities on Google websites)