Anne Hathaway Questions Obama's Rick Warren Pick

I know I can't get that interview out of my mind, where Rick Warren compares homosexuality to pedophilia, incest, and polygamy. I wish it wasn't so, but Rick Warren believes that homosexuality is a sin. Until quite recently, his Web site clearly stated that and more: "someone unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle would not be accepted as a member at Saddleback Church."

I'm a grandma of nine and have even more grandnephews and nieces. It surely wouldn't be surprising if one person in that generation was gay. They're everywhere and in every family, regardless of politics! Consider the math: There are about 305 million of us, and although I've seen numbers all over the place, let's say that between 3% to 8% of us are gay. That means, some 9,150,000 to 24,400,000 of us are sinners according to Rick Warren.

I just can't get past the thought of having to explain to my grandkids, that in 2009, someone who believes that people are ipso facto sinners-because-they're-gay was given such an honor by a US President. While it may be good politics for Obama now, I think he will deeply regret having invited Rick Warren. To reach a conclusion about someone's morality based solely on their sexual orientation isn't any different than reaching that conclusion based on someone's race or religion ... or acting ability, for that matter. Before too long, people of every political persuasion will realize it!

Well, "Your Name" I'll be praying for you, for Warren, and for all my Christian brothers and sisters who say that "being Gay is a sin, according to the Bible."

I hope that you will be lucky enough to be surrounded by lovely gay couples who invite you into their homes, love your children, support you in tough times, visit you when you are sick or help you when a family member dies. Then, maybe you'll have a change of heart. I can't think of another solution to changing your heart. Maybe a gay nephew or a gay sister-in-law's mom would change your mind, too. Maybe you will change your mind if a gay church congregation worked with your congregation on some sort of act of charity, like a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter.

"Your name", God bless you! Gays like me have been dealing with folks like you all of our lives. We know that being gay is not a sin. We who are gays and Christians know that we are called to be wise in responding to your kind of statement. A wise answer to your comment is this: God's peace be with you always.

Tell ya what folks....this is a discussion to have over your shrimp cocktail and stuffed pork chops. You think it's a sin....really? Avoid sin at all cost but the Bible says nothing about gay marriage. It does say a lot about "straight" marriage and divorce (even banning divorce outright in the New Testament). There are also great discussions about slavery and how important it is to be obedient to one's Master. So Mr. Mead..."God clearly says (slave rebellion) is wrong. End of conversation." I suppose this means you will lobby to ban divorce and support a campaign for a repeal of the 16th amendment in obedience with your scriptures. Don't be surprised if we who do not worship your God or His Bible stand against you and his cruelty.

Why is anyone surprised at a pastors stance on gay marriage. Rick Warren is a Christian who believes in the bible which clearly states its wrong so what else can he say and stick with his beliefs

I have to agree that I was a little surprised at the choice of Rick Warren (but not for the reasons we're thinking that Anne Hathaway wants an explanation from Obama).  My surprise comes from the fact that Warren's notoriety is relatively new (within the last 25 to 30 years).  I admire and agree with many of Warren's teachings, philosophies, and am currently involved in a ministry at church that is an outgrowth of Saddleback.  Billy Graham has been the inaugural pastor for many decades; he is a time-honored and respected leader of God's church on earth.  Obama's election platform and slogan was "Time for a Change."  That's true, we need change in government.  Man changes and can change ... God's character does not ... man's character can only change with the grace of God at its helm.  That being said, I believe Billy should remain the inaugural pastor.  The bible is very specific about marriage between a man and woman.  To paraphrase Jesus' great commandment "....love your neighbor as yourself", I say, "love the sinner but hate the sin" and we are cautioned by our Savior that we must be careful not to "cast the first stone"  Let's not be too harsh on Anne (as a sister, perhaps she's feeling defensive for her sibling and that's a noble character trait).

Ann, Obama's explanation for picking Warren was that we the country are very diverse people, and we should all learn to listen and understand each other.

That is a noble belief from a noble man. What I think he forgot is that Gay people have heterosexual parents, relatives, and friends, so we are hurt and dismayed by his choice pick. We who love our gay people know how the diverse others don't consider our feelings, or even try to understand by first reading what the Medical Fields say about the subject. They just plow ahead, hold their bible up, in my case my bible, and tell us how we must understand them and their beliefs. I'm really tired of the whole picture, and think the government owes all of us a clear and dicisive conculusion to all of this by placing everybody as being equal as our Constitution tells us we are. The Religions of America can take as long as they want to decide what they believe, but the rest of us can go ahead with our lives living under the protection of our countrys laws of equality.

Anne Hathaway asking for an explanation from the President? Sure, but first let's ask Anne for an explanation about her ex-boyfriend, who's allegedly committed fraud and has bilked the Vatican. I'm sure she's such a wonderful judge of character. The guy she's sleeping with is a crook and she wants an explanation?

It is to laugh.