Who woulda thunk it? The woman whose presidential run has driven some Christian Right activists into the arms of Rudy Giuliani appeared yesterday at Rick Warren's Saddleback Church--and received a standing ovation. The occasion was Saddleback's annual Global Summit on AIDS and the Church, and while the Orange County Register reports that all the top-tier presidential candidates were invited, only Clinton showed up.
God-o-Meter noticed how Clinton repeatedly referred to the church community as "we":
“Twenty five years ago when people – mostly young gay men – started dying of an unnamed disease, we didn't talk about it in church,” she said. “We've come a long way. Not only can we talk about AIDS in church, but churches can lead the way.”
And why not? Clinton is, by all accounts, a devoted Methodist. Her appearance at Saddleback--and the language she used--were subtle, effective ways for her to tell religious Americans: I'm one of you. Judging from Clinton's ecstatic reception, however, many already know (though God-o-Meter must note that The Pew Research Center's polling tells a different story).
9
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Didn't she deserve another point for this? I would think being a hit in an evangelical church deserves something. Though, do you think this might be a sign of the coming apocalypse? (hehe)
I am troubled that a church would come out in support of any presidential candidate.
Now that Saddleback is on record as officially supporting Hillary's candidacy, what does that mean for people in the congregation who are not on the left politically? She is a very strong supporter of abortion. How does Saddelback deal with that? Or do they? What does that mean for those who attend that church who oppose abortion?
Altogether a very strange event.
Hillary Clinton gets a score of 9? The champion of abortion and juducual activism against faith is more a theocrat than anyone on any ticket. She only trumps the religion card to make her appear a person of faith. Her God is power.
Isnt she a Gay rights advocate also, Secularism is her iddle name
Dave: I think you have Hillary mistaken for Bush/Cheney. Based on their mismangement of this country these past seven years, seems more accurate to suggest power is their god. For example, as evidenced by their Halliburton connections, you can't tell me they're not profiting from the no-bid contract awarded as part of the fiasco they created in Iraq. Money is power and they're lining their own pockets while aligning themselves with others who support their agenda. What they advocate doesn't protect the American people first and foremost, it's to protect their own self interests and for their own financial gain.
Also, while Hillary has stated she doesn't support gay marriage, she does seem to believe gay couples should be entitled to the same rights, privileges and responsibilities that married couples enjoy as mandated by both state and federal governments. If committed gay and lesbian couples are paying taxes just like everybody else, then why shouldn't they be given equal access to the same entitlements? That's not a "secular" position, it's democracy at work. There are plenty of people of faith who see the logic in this, including myself. Thank God, with the help of socially progressive ministers like Jim Wallis, this message is now being heard over the rantings of the right wing religious fanatics who have dominated the debate for the past 25 years plus. They are responsible in part for the division and mean-spirited dialogue that exists in this country today and change is necessary. Rev. Wallis' book, "The Great Awakening" offers reason for optimism that perhaps if America would shift it's focus we'll be able to leave a better world to future generations.
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