Gay Episcopal bishop “horrified” at how “aggressively Christian” inaugural prayers have been
posted at 3:20 pm on January 13, 2009 by Allahpundit
Via R.S. McCain, rather than leave it to The One to invite a rabbi, imam, etc., to offer their own benedictions, he’s going to dispense with the whole Christianity thing and just cover all the bases himself.
Bishop Robinson said he had been reading inaugural prayers through history and was “horrified” at how “specifically and aggressively Christian they were.”
“I am very clear,” he said, “that this will not be a Christian prayer, and I won’t be quoting Scripture or anything like that. The texts that I hold as sacred are not sacred texts for all Americans, and I want all people to feel that this is their prayer.”
Bishop Robinson said he might address the prayer to “the God of our many understandings,” language that he said he learned from the 12-step program he attended for his alcohol addiction.
The current Anglican-in-chief has always seemed less interested in Christian doctrine than, er, “cultural understanding,” so ironically this is one instance in which Robinson’s something of a traditionalist. Exit question: Does he mean to suggest that he can’t relate to prayers by leaders from other faiths for Obama’s and America’s well being? Or is it that he can relate to them, but this multiculti street runs only one way?
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How about settling for a nice show tune?
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 3:22 PM
Headline comments?
cs89 on January 13, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Guys, really… if you’re going to keep reposting articles like this at least move the discussions here as well…
Skywise on January 13, 2009 at 3:24 PM
There’s really not much to add. The quotes say it all.
OhEssYouCowboys on January 13, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Vashta.Nerada on January 13, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Accept the things we cannot “Hope and Change”?
Accept a higher power that accepts you exactly as you extra-specialy are, you big lovable lug, you?
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 3:27 PM
oy
ctmom on January 13, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Oh, you’re gonna HATE Ass Wednesday.
marklmail on January 13, 2009 at 3:27 PM
That would be Otis, the God of White Lightning.
Patrick S on January 13, 2009 at 3:27 PM
because Robinson is not a Christian. Not in any biblical or otherwise recognizable sense.
Kalifornia Kafir on January 13, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Gotta marginalize Christians, lest we won’t be able to be the bestest [sic on purpose] hedonist country on the planet.
Political Correctness is the worst thing that ever happened, ever.
kirkill on January 13, 2009 at 3:28 PM
he’s not a Christian, he’s a Secular Humanist hiding behind a christian platform.
jp on January 13, 2009 at 3:28 PM
“I am very clear,” he said, “that this will not be a Christian prayer, and I won’t be quoting Scripture or anything like that.”
Fine with me, I won’t refer to you as a “Bishop” any longer; now you are just some fool exercising his fifteen minutes in the spotlight.
What happened to Prager? Did I miss something?
Bishop on January 13, 2009 at 3:29 PM
He’ll quote Scripture, as soon as a Bible is written that will glorify his hedonism and homosexuality.
Sadly, that Bible is probably in the works.
OhEssYouCowboys on January 13, 2009 at 3:29 PM
How insulting to atheists.
Like Obama, he is logically inconsistent.
latinchic on January 13, 2009 at 3:29 PM
It’s just a freakin’ invocation!!!! Not a sermon!!
And as a bishop, I would hope that you’d have just a tad bit of an interest in spreading the Christian message, yourself! Just a tad!
It’s your job! It’s your calling!
ToddonCapeCod on January 13, 2009 at 3:29 PM
As in, what in hell are you spreading on my forehead?
And “beat the bishop” takes on a new, more literal meaning.
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Does the Bishop not know that this country was founded on Judeo/Christian principles?? You can be assured that over the next four years, prayers like the one this Bishop wants to give, will be the new “in thing” among the Obama administration. Our country, as we know it, will not be the same.
Pledge of allegiance-one nation underGod, God Bless America, In God we Trust,etc, will be a thing of the past. Now that is change we can believe in.
texasconserv on January 13, 2009 at 3:30 PM
I’m not Christian so many my point it mute. Why do Anglican’s wonder that their denomination is losing traction to other, more religious denominations.
Maybe because those other denominations actually believe in something.
Lance Murdock on January 13, 2009 at 3:31 PM
George Washington’s Inaugural Prayer:
http://usaheritage.org/wash_prayer1.html
jp on January 13, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Wow. I haven’t heard it put better.
Honestly, just a “God protect President Obama and our country, Amen” would do just fine I’d think. The word “God” isn’t really divisive among those who believe in God.
Esthier on January 13, 2009 at 3:31 PM
I’m not Jewish, so, I might be way off base here, but, how is someone from a liturgical religion like Judaism where there are certain prayers to say in certain ways at certain times going to feel more included because a nominally Christian clergyman says a generic “Christian-style” prayer…
Perhaps some of our non-Christian posters here at HotAir can help give me their pov. I’m guessing atheists definitely don’t feel more included just because the prayer is going to be a generic prayer to a generic god that they don’t believe in.
Is he right though? As a Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Hindu, etc…..does it make you feel more warm and fuzzy to have the prayer be a generic one? Do you feel like you’re being left out otherwise? Or do you still feel like you’re being left out even with the generic prayer? Or, do you not really care what kind of prayer they have at the inauguration?
JadeNYU on January 13, 2009 at 3:31 PM
The man is an apostate, and leader of a dying denomination, so go right ahead and pray Mr. Robinson, no one is listening.
Richard Romano on January 13, 2009 at 3:31 PM
the God of our many understandings
Which essentially means “whatever works for you, go with it and some God somewhere will bless you or forgive you or whatever.”
Bishop on January 13, 2009 at 3:32 PM
Let’s nix the prayers completely and have Plugs do an interpretive dance.
Laura in Maryland on January 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Did I mention I left the Episcopal church about 10 years ago when this nonsense began to take root?
Just A Grunt on January 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
This is the only time in history when Robinson would not be a politically impossible pick to be part of the inaugural.
This is also the only time in history when a Rick Warren would have been considered controversial.
Change you can’t believe
petertheslow on January 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Ann Coulter said that the teachings of the Episcopal Church are becoming hard to distinguish from a Madonna video.
Ann is right.
I would like to say something sarcastic about the Bishop, but there is really nothing I could say that he has not already said.
__________
RJGatorEsq. on January 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Untrue, our country was founded on Nassar’s farm in Woodstock, New York, but the future Democrat Congressmen of American and by Jimi Hendrix, on the basis of free love, free drugs and rock n’ roll for all.
Least that’s what I was taught in public school.
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Fag Anglicans aren’t interested in “spreading Christianity”. They are only interested in making all of the most vile and disgusting people, whether fags, transgendered, pre-op he-males, homo pedophiles, etc. feel welcome in their little church.
The real, orthodox Christian churches in the USA need to just come out and let the entire world know that no homos will be allowed within their churches or in their fellowship.
We need to make sure that homos have no part in what we are doing because the goal of the homos is to get deeper into Christian denominations and completely pervert and destroy them through their influence.
TheMightyQuinn on January 13, 2009 at 3:34 PM
do they still have the priest who is also a muslim?
jp on January 13, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Don’t give them any ideas.
They might just go for that.
wise_man on January 13, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Or, the giant head people.
Vashta.Nerada on January 13, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Since when do real Christians need to talk like that?
Esthier on January 13, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Or the members of the Happy Hands Club from Napolean Dynamite.
OhEssYouCowboys on January 13, 2009 at 3:36 PM
I’m trying to wrap my head around Robinson’s attitude of being “Aggressively Christian”. I thought the purpose of joining the clergy was to spread the word as a Christian. How the hell is this guy clergy much less a bishop?
I’m still blown away on how easy it is for Barry to be persuaded. If he let a few angry gays get under his skin about Warren, imagine how he’s going to handle Iran.
Lay-Z on January 13, 2009 at 3:37 PM
So the inauguration prayer will be to the god of AA. Could it be more fitting? I think not.
ronsfi on January 13, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Jocelyn Elders will speak/demonstrate?
At last, some real intellectual content.
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 3:37 PM
If he addresses a prayer to “God of all our understandings” isn’t that just going to make all the Gods mad? I mean, isn’t that the thing in most monotheistic religions…there is only one God and you shouldn’t worship others?
AmericanUnderground on January 13, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Let’s nix the prayers completely and have Plugs do an interpretive dance.
Laura in Maryland on January 13, 2009 at 3:33 PM
I really did not need that image.
I was going to say let me get this straight. But straight has nothing to do with “Bishop” Robinson. A “Christian” Bishop ashamed to proclaim His glory? Turn in your robes, mister. You are not fit to wear them.
kingsjester on January 13, 2009 at 3:39 PM
perhaps Obama should invite the leader of GreenPeace or Al Gore to pray to mother Gaia as well?
hopefully it’ll be around zer0 degrees in Washington that day
jp on January 13, 2009 at 3:40 PM
Naw, she’s still listenin’ to Eric Clampton.
OhEssYouCowboys on January 13, 2009 at 3:40 PM
do they still have the priest who is also a muslim?
jp on January 13, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Nope. Bishop made her choose one or the other.
cs89 on January 13, 2009 at 3:40 PM
A man who abandoned his wife and kids, while fornicating with his gay lover…A “christian” bishop who states that he will not use scriptures in a prayer…but will quote a God of many understandings.
Folks, this would not be accepted as a viable sitcom…no one could write this stuff.
I think he is fitting to be given this opportunity to help define what Obama truly believes and the type of spiritual leadership Obama really embraces.
This “bishop” is the right choice for Obama…he couldn’t have chosen any better.
right2bright on January 13, 2009 at 3:41 PM
These threads are just NOT going to be the same without SaintOlaf. Hmmm. Maybe I should try to “fill-in”. How about:
Collie, how’d I do?
My collie says:
That good, huh?
CyberCipher on January 13, 2009 at 3:41 PM
I think this is great.. let ‘em talk… do we realize how many in the African-American (term subject to change when it’s decided it’s too racist) community actually have been fooled into thinking that the Dems are social conservatives?
Let these fools expose themselves for what they are… faux Christians who “embrace” every single religion on the planet… except Christianity.
And here’s a vote for Robinson’s non-prayer and Biden’s interpretative dance.
mankai on January 13, 2009 at 3:43 PM
I once heard Episcopalianism explained as a denomination that puts reason over revelation. So reason can deduce that Paul was a bigot and ignore his passages on homosexuality, etc. Of course, go down that road far enough and you start to wonder why they bother keeping the Bible at all, they could do as well coming up with a statement of belief for their church and having a vote on it!
kc8ukw on January 13, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Multicultural prayers don’t make me feel included. I find them strange and pointless.
Lance Murdock on January 13, 2009 at 3:44 PM
CyberCipher on January 13, 2009 at 3:41 PM
Great imitation. I was fooled just for a momemt. Kind of like 52 percent of voters.
Pet the collie for me.
kingsjester on January 13, 2009 at 3:44 PM
While I’d like to see them all the way back to George Washington, here are the aggressively Christian inaugural prayers dating back to 1937. That danged Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, is mentioned repeatedly. Oh the horror!
Buy Danish on January 13, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Robinson is like obama. The problem isn’t primarily the man, it’s the supporters.
JiangxiDad on January 13, 2009 at 3:45 PM
…… or the lizard people.
wise_man on January 13, 2009 at 3:45 PM
H I L A R I O U S ! ! ! ! !
D2Boston on January 13, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Not to start another dictionary thread, but the word is moot. If your point had been mute, we wouldn’t have heard it.
MarkTheGreat on January 13, 2009 at 3:46 PM
The athletic supporters?
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 3:46 PM
And I find his dislike of alcohol offensive.
JiangxiDad on January 13, 2009 at 3:46 PM
I think all he’s saying is that he’s intending this to be a prayer that won’t turn off atheists, Muslims, Jews, etc.
It’s not his job to sell the Episcopal Church at the inaguration, just like it’s not Warren’s job to sell Saddleback Church at that time. These prayers are for Obama, the leadership and the nation.
I agree with him.
jim m on January 13, 2009 at 3:47 PM
I’d venture to guess that the god of his understanding is spelled with a little “g”.
Oh, and
that was abominable. May you have a revelation of grace from which you can minister to others. I doubt you’ll have “trouble” with homosexuals in your church until you do.
TexasDan on January 13, 2009 at 3:47 PM
What do you mean? They don’t have any gays there.
Esthier on January 13, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Hinduism has over 300 million gods… that guy is gonna need more time on the agenda.
Might I suggest he pray to “the God, or gods, or spirits, or ancestors, or inanimate objects, or fruit bats or llamas or breakfast cereals… of our understanding.”
mankai on January 13, 2009 at 3:47 PM
“Bishop” Robinson is nohing but a far left sodomite. His only good point is his revulsion of the Zionist state of Israel.
God will punish all those who usurp and distort his word!
/StOlaf.
BKennedy on January 13, 2009 at 3:47 PM
Whoops, that’s for the correction.
Lance Murdock on January 13, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Here’s George Washington’s Inaugural Prayer:
Buy Danish on January 13, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Excellent thought . . . “Guys & Dolls” perhaps? Or maybe “Guys & Guys”, or even “Dolls & Dolls”? Anyway, it’s a good idea.
rplat on January 13, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Interesting that John the Baptist said he must diminish so that Jesus will become greater. This Robinson person has it backwards. It’s all about him, isn’t it.
Rose on January 13, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Technically, we didn’t.
Esthier on January 13, 2009 at 3:49 PM
He seems to like it just fine until he finds himself worshipping at the porcelain altar.
And St. Johnny Walker probably loosened him up enough to the point he discovered his deep love of steeples, so how can it all be bad?
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Two snaps up and a three Our Fathers…
Saltyron on January 13, 2009 at 3:51 PM
It didn’t strike me as something that makes people feel more included. I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that, at best, I would feel as if I were being patronized.
Isn’t it mute regardless as there are no sounds involved (i.e. “expressed without speech” – from an online dictionary definition)?
JadeNYU on January 13, 2009 at 3:51 PM
You know, I’m agnostic, so ordinarily I’d have some sympathy for an Episcopalian minister trying to formulate a more ecumenical prayer for a public ceremony.
But this guy? What a fucking tool.
Centerfire on January 13, 2009 at 3:51 PM
LOL. He wasn’t invited because he was str8. Of course it’s his job to sell something, just not Christianity. You kill me man.
JiangxiDad on January 13, 2009 at 3:51 PM
The “Princess Diana Bible?”
Count to 10 on January 13, 2009 at 3:51 PM
None of your are Christian Vickie Gene.
Akzed on January 13, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Why would anyone mistake Robinson for a Christian?
He’s Episcopalian.
Mother Jesus, Global Warming Spirits, Hip Hop Hymnal, U2Charist and bishops that leave behind their families to live with their gay husbands. Robinson worked hard to be a June bride, and Obama wishes to honor him for his disgraceful behavior.
Hening on January 13, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Good choice.
I was thinking of perhaps:
- The witch is dead (in honor of Great Leader’s buddy Hillary)
- If I only had a brain (in honor of Great Leader’s electorate)
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 3:53 PM
So he’s pretty much into the religion thing for the uniform I’m guessing?
How much does the Episcopal church pay, anyway?
Asher on January 13, 2009 at 3:54 PM
…especially God.
sdd on January 13, 2009 at 3:55 PM
I’d tell him to go to hell but he has pretty much taken care of his travel arrangements himself.
thomasaur on January 13, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Might as well be praying to a rock, or a volcano. Why even call it prayer? Why not call it a speech on hope and change, oh wait, only the Messiah can do that.
Badbrucskie on January 13, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Many churches get together and hold “holiday” servies for Thanksgiving, Memorial Day and 4th of July and generally invite all comunity members to participate. Should the pastors at those services offer prayers tailored to only one of the participating churches?
jim m on January 13, 2009 at 4:00 PM
Patronizing is a better choice of word. I don’t understand why religious liberals or politicians need to include me in their prayers. First, most Jews are secular, second, I’m more agnostic than religious. So these religious prayers aren’t offending me if they don’t include me. I could care less.
The way I see it, there were more Jews in this country 50 years ago and the country back than was way more religious back then. So I don’t think it’s religion that’s making American Jews an endanger species.
Lance Murdock on January 13, 2009 at 4:01 PM
The way I see it, there were more Jews in this country 50 years ago and the country
back thanwas way more religious back then. So I don’t think it’s religion that’s making American Jews an endanger species.OT/ I should really use the preview bottom more often.
Lance Murdock on January 13, 2009 at 4:03 PM
You mean like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmRXH7RkCZQ
joepub on January 13, 2009 at 4:03 PM
thomasaur on January 13, 2009 at 3:56 PM
You ain’t kiddin’.
It is supposed to be Robinson’s advocation and vocation to proclaim The Father’s Glory and Christ to all peoples. Without that mission behind him, the robes mean nothing.
You certainly did not see Rev. Billy Graham refuse to proclaim Him.
kingsjester on January 13, 2009 at 4:03 PM
In fact, I would feel a bit insulted if he watered it down to appeal to me.
Or maybe I would just be insulted by who is being sworn in.
Count to 10 on January 13, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Thanks! But I’m afraid that none of America’s founders was Christian. At least not in the lastest textbooks, so you’ll have to take that elsewhere.
kc8ukw on January 13, 2009 at 4:05 PM
I’m a Christian, but I bet that the atheists would like to be pandered to, anymore then we would.
right2bright on January 13, 2009 at 4:06 PM
This man needs to be cast out of the pulpit.
MBuck on January 13, 2009 at 4:06 PM
You can’t trust today’s textbooks.
Rose on January 13, 2009 at 4:07 PM
google makes it exceptionally hard to find Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural prayers. bet the ACLU likes it that way
jp on January 13, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Indeed. You know, the political concepts of freedom and liberty wern’t in the latest textbooks in Mao’s China or Stalin’s USSR.
I guess that means the fact they exist is irrelevant. Indoctrination-worthy screeds wouldn’t publish the known historical facts, therefore said facts do not exist.
BKennedy on January 13, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Atheists like show tunes more than anyone, they’ll be delighted.
You can’t beat the Bishop!
Wait, according to the Bishop, you can.
NoDonkey on January 13, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Yeah, those past evil Christian pastors like this one.
Prayer
right2bright on January 13, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Making a generic Christian prayer is different than trying to make a generic prayer that applies to all faiths. It’s not even possible to do the latter.
Esthier on January 13, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Westboro Baptist representin’ y’all!
And we wonder why we are perceived as hatemongers.
Pcoop on January 13, 2009 at 4:12 PM
My sarcasm warning light is blinking.
sdd on January 13, 2009 at 4:14 PM
I suppose that might be a good idea since conservatives have started drinking heavily since Obama got elected.
katiejane on January 13, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Those of us formerly of the Episcopal Church been dealing with this guy for a long time. Gee, thanks, Obama, you never disappoint.
Here’s pretty much what we can expect from Robinson, taken from a blogger at another site who unfortunately knows Robinson all too well. Count on it.
labwriter on January 13, 2009 at 4:16 PM
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