Share your thoughts on Evangelical Pastor Rick Warren

I agree, she was so gay oriented I think she is gay and should not have been allowed to have a public forum to show her personal view.

This is the whole problem with the media and their bias. I am not even a Rick Warren fan but she was very condesending to him.  She must be gay.  Chuck

I thought I might be alone with that thought.  I was very shocked at Ann Curry's unprofessionalism and some of her ignorant questions.  I mean really, do we all agree with every single issue our friends do?  I don't, but I am still able to call them both family and friend inspite of what they might believe.

I also don't understand how the choice of Rick Warren takes away someone's place at Obama's table.  Isn't the goal for us to all come together regardless of our differences?  Rick Warren didn't say he didn't want to be around gays, lesbians, etc and neither did Obama.  This choice hasn't excluded anyone unless they choose to be excluded.  I understand they may hurt and angry about proposition 8, but I don't believe one has anything to do with the other. 

So its OK for the pastor to get on the internet and television and preach an anti-gay agenda but if someone questions his position, that means they must be gay and shouldn't be 'allowed' to be a journalist on television. Is that what you are saying?

If so, why do you have a one standard for the pastor and another for the journalist?

And I am curious as to why did you felt compelled to comment on the journalist's sexual preference?

I agree Ann was out of control. Shame on her, is she gay!

I'm sorry but are you always full of hate. For someone that always listens to a bible thumping person makes you an ignorant, non thinking person.  Christ was a loving, non judgmental being and it makes me sick that its been so twisted. If you were a true christian you would be full of love and except people for who they are and love them.  

I concur.  When Tim Russert passed away, I lost any reason to watch NBC for politics.  Now that Ann Curry has shown her self to be seriously and obviously biased, nevermind extremely disrespectful, I have no reason to watch NBC for anything at all.  Dateline is now off my DVR schedule. 

Wow.  I hadn't realized NBC could afford such "journalism" with their ratings below the toilet.  But hey, keep up the insanity guys/gals!  Maybe you'll get a different result one day.  Keep the "faith"!  Ignorance is bliss...and it may make us lucky enough to be rid of NBC altogether, even sooner. 

I think the key word is Journalist! Not bias!

We love the sinner NOT the sin and it's still sin

I came on here for the exact same reason. I have never seen a so-called "journalist" display her own feelings for everyone to see in such a manner.  I only saw a few minutes of the show and knew instantly what her position was.   This interview was obviously an attempt to make this person look "dumb" or to try to disprove the Christian stance on gay marriage. 

I have to say... the people have spoken.  Why are we still arguing this?  Gay people already have the right to have a family, to adopt children, and every other right afforded to married people.  What they want is to have the title of being married, which is a Biblical title.  For people who insist that the Bible is irrelevant, they sure care a lot about the institutions it creates. 

This issue isn't about the feelings of gay people, it is about the future of our society... and most people don't want to go down that road.  When we start messing with what we deem moral/immoral, we are heading down a slippery slope.

I agree.  Ann Curry was completely biased in her interview with Rick Warren.  I once respected her but this interview was a deal breaker.  You would have thought the topic was withholding the cure for cancer instead of wanting to protect the definition of marriage.  Shame on you, Ann!

I agree. The interviewer's job is to ask the questions... even hard questions... but then let the guest respond. Ann often interrupted, and also showed her obvious bias. Rick Warren maintained himself, and explained himself, well with grace and reason.

And C.C.Church needs to listen to what Warren is saying. He never "preached an anti-gay agenda". He encouraged people to vote for Prop 8. He explained his reasons very clearly and simply (again).

My husband and I were also shocked and disappointed with Ann Curry.  We have always liked her until this interview.  She was rude and and sounded angry.  I must say that at least she controlled herself enough not to curse or get up and leave.  I am not a fan of Mr. Warren and I do support the Bible's view, which she lamely quoted.  She also said his book is second only to the Bible in top selling books, she needs to check those stats as well.  I did and it didn't even make the top ten.  Very irresponsible interview.

Ann Curry who is usually unbiased and respectful was apparently not with Rick Warren....I think that speaks volumes about how OUTLANDISH Rick Warren's beliefs are regarding gays.....what else bothers me is his Saddleback church makes a statement on the website that gays will not be allowed to join the church.....don't know the exact wording and can't seem to find the paragraph that contains that little tidbit.....it was exposed on the Racel Maddow show tonight....yes I know but she showed the site with the paragraph making it clear that Saddleback church will not allow gays to attend their church......so here is where I have the problem......God did not put us on this Earth to judge one another......it's not our job nor our right......whenever I am at a loss as to how to treat someone or am struggling in accepting them because  I don't agree with their actions or beliefs, I ask myself, "What would Jesus do?"  I believe he would love and accept them period.  So while I disagree with Rick Warren's idea about gays.....I try not to judge him any more than I would judge Ann Curry.  This is not an easy task to be non-judgemental, and accepting of others.  I struggle with it every day.

Point taken but there is a difference between joining a church and attending a church...

I had a hard time with the very aggressive attack of the news lady that did the interview with Rick Warren.  Why is it that if you have a different view from the gay group you are not allowed to have any thoughts that may differ from them.  If I chose to be a prostitute or a murder is that OK just because there are a lot of them out there?  She said that there is no law that marriage is between a man and a woman in the bible.  There are a lot of marriages in the bible and not one is between a woman and a woman or a man and a man.  I believe in accepting people as a person but I do not believe that means that I accept murder, stealing, or any of the other things that most people see as wrong for them and society.  If the gay movement want so much acceptance maybe they should show some acceptance of those with a different view.  Most of us that do not agree with gay marriage are not homophobic yet are called all kinds of names, as was Rick Warren tonight, and held in destine by the gay community.  It seems to me that they are the ones with the phobia.  I'm not marching in the streets and waving angry signs.

I'm glad to read these comments, because i thought Ann Curry was a very respectable woman, but she really exposed herself on this subject with Warren, she definitely got into it a lot more than just interviewing him. I FINALLY DID THINK SHE IS GAY TO !! Everybody has a right to there opinion, Ann!!!

Shame on Ann Curry, a lost all my respect for her. I'm a mother of two, and I do not want gays around my kids, especially in the school as teacher. My belives are against gay marriage and teaching kids in the schooll that is ok to be gay...it is not!

PLEASE!!! Ann Curry was anything, but unfair and unprofessional to Rick Warren.  I was wondering why she never asked him about gluttony being one of the 7 deadly sins.  His very obvious that he is a glutton just by looking at his size.  He kept quoting the Bible when it comes to homosexuality, but never mentioned the 7 deadly sins.  Most of the comments on here are the exact reason why homosexuals feel abandoned by Christians.  Need I remind you so called Christians that the greatest commandment of all is to LOVE your neighbors as yourself.  There is only one judge and I believe that the person without sin is the only one who can pass judgement on others.  I think that Rick and most of you supporters on here need to clean up your own house prior to passing judgement on others.  I did agree with Rick that gays getting married will not affect heterosexual marriages.  The divorce rate in this country is outrageous and heterosexuals think that gays getting married is going to make it worse.  I say SHAME ON YOU ctambasco for teaching your children to hate and be prejudice against other people who are creations of GOD just as you are. 

libertiesgirl,

I can assure you that Saddleback Church does not ban gays from attending their church.  They welcome them.  However, they do believe that homosexuality is a sin.  The thing is, everyone sins, regardless of who you are or what you believe.  If they banned homosexuals for their sexual sin, then they would have to ban everyone for their sins.  They don't judge people, they judge sin as the Bible teaches them to.  The Bible defines what is sin and they are simply upholding what the Bible teaches.  They love the people and condemn the sin.  Unfortunately, when it comes to this gay issue, gays see their homosexuality as part of their identity.  So when you reject the sin, you reject them as a person, and that is terribly misguided.  That is like saying I was born as an axe murderer and if you reject that characteristic about me you reject me as a person.  Jesus would love the axe murderer and tell him to go an murder no more.  Jesus loves gay people, but He would tell them to stop their sexual sin.

First, let's not pretend Rick Warren is the ONLY person on the planet and the ONLY pastor on the planet who does NOT support gay marriage.

Personally, I support the idea of gay marriage, but this isn't about me.

Some people are in favor, others oppose. Obama may have selected Warren to give the invocation simply because he is trying to keep another campaign promise: To bring people together as Americans during one of the biggest crisis this country has faced in seven decades. I thought Obama, as usual, did the smart thing.

The easy way out would have been to pick perhaps, Al Sharpton, or any number of liberal religious leaders. Instead, he takes the high road and I see nothing wrong with it.

People who support gay marriage should understand a Great Truth: Not everyone is going to be on your side. Warren was right when he said in the interview that all major religions (currently) define marriage as between a man and a woman. This doesn't mean this will not change, but it DOES mean there will be people against it.

Just like there were people against slavery in America, civil rights, the right of women to vote, the right to purchase alcohol, etc.

I say let Warren do his prayer and then we had better forget the petty stuff and get to work...otherwise this country will be worse off two years from now than it is today.

I applaud Ann Curry for her professional diligent interview with Rick Warren  Mr. Warrren contradicted himself by at first saying he was not homophobic and laughing, then later saying that even if homosexulaity is biological we should simply resist the urge. According to Rick Warren, we should not exist

His misinterprations of Genesis are old and tiring. I would suggest to anyone that wants to learn  the correct interpretaions of the Bible to seek out Religious Scholars such as Rev. Peter Gomes, Karen Armstrong and Dr. Rev. Mel White.

Rick Warren really is the new Jerry Falwell. How much money is he making off his ministries and book sales? Why are people still so seduced by religious charlatans?

I am all for pluralism and an open discussion with all communities but Rick Warren has shown his true colors. He is a man filled with hatred under the guise of morality and should not be leading the inaugral prayers.

Carlton Pearson would have been a much better choice.

Since Rev. Joseph Lowery will be there to give the benediction, perhaps he could lead the invocation as well? He is a far better choice and a person who has suffered discrimination and hatred at the hands of those who said the Bible said it was the right thing to do.

Ann Curry got Rick Warren to talk about his own homophobia and anti-gay ideas and how he personally judges others. Jesus said "he who is without sin cast the first stone" when the town was about to stone a woman for adultery. Rick Warren, all you who agree with him and all Evangelicals out there commit hubris at every turn of their lives.

Given his high profile, I can just hear it coming somewhere in the future: "I have sinned against you" on TV when we all find out about his sordid affairs with women in his congregation. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

Given the Fathers of Judaism and Christianity were polygamists, how can anyone read the Bible and not see that marriage hasn't always been defined as between one man and one woman? It clearly has not been defined as such in many religions for many thousands of years.

Gays and lesbians desiring marriage are not out to get Rick Warren's blessing or that of any of you who oppose it. They want the civil right to go to the court house and get the legal license that extends them the same civil rights as other couples. Because religion has again been injected into the state, I call for further and stronger separation of church and state.

Whoever said gluttany, good one. Warren clearly partakes of too much to eat, which is one of the 7 deadly sins. The others are: greed, pride, envy, sloth, lust, and rage.

I'll also add that Warren commits other deadly sins, lust and greed. He lusts after beautiful women in his heart (he said it, we all heard it), and according to Jesus the thought is equivalent to the act. He has made a huge amount of money off his book, and hasn't given all the money away to help the poor. That is greed. Sounds to me like Mr. Warren had better look into himself before he points fingers at others.

That Ann Curry didn't take him to task over his sins is remarkable. Had I had the floor with him, I would have wiped the floor with him on those issues.

joubess1,

Have you given ALL your income to the poor?  Oh?  You must be greedy too!  In all seriousness, you can't call Rick Warren greedy.  He gives 90% of his income to charity.  What percentage of your income do you give to charity?  I'd say he is a pretty generous guy we could all learn from when it comes to handling money.

Also, no person in this world is perfect.  So I'm sure Rick Warren has his faults.  However, if someone were to compare your life to his I bet you wouldn't come out smelling too good.  You come across in your post as extremely judgmental of him personally.  Show me where he pointed a finger at any person and accused them of any sin.  He simply stated that he believes marriage is between a man and a woman.  If you had had the floor with him, I don't think you'd have met your objective.  I guarantee he would not have been judgmental of your personal sins, and would have welcomed you with open arms.

Ann Curry did a terriable job as a journalist with her interview with Rick Warren!

Isn't a man of God allowed to believe what the bible has to say.  Don't Christians

have rights?

Terri, Christians have rights, gays don't. Religion is protected under the Civil Rights Act, sexual orientation is not.

Just because people disagree with Rick Warren does not mean he has lost some legal right to believe as he does.

But when Christians disagree with gays, they don't just leave it as disagreeing, they work to take away our or limit our rights.

I thought that Ann Curry actually looked foolish.  Her Biblical references showed her lack of knowledge of the entire Bible.  As a journalist, please do your research a little bit better.  The Bible is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman.  She obviously missed the New Testament.

The Bible is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman.  She obviously missed the New Testament.

Or the New Testament simply lacks a gay marriage. Quakers don't drive cars or have clothes with zippers because those things aren't in the Bible. And that's totally their right, but I don't think that would justify banning cars and zippers.

In the new testament homosexuality is specifically condemned.

Sherrietr, no...rape, prostitution and idol worship are condemned. Romantic, consentual same-sex relationships are not in the new testament.

And as for gay women...we're pure as the fallen snow as far as the Bible is concerned.

See, in Biblical times people really believed that semen was all there was to creating life. They didn't know about eggs and ovaries and stuff. Women were merely the vessel that carried the semen while it grew into a baby. So basically any man who masturbates has committed the same sin that gay men do...they spill the seed of life...which is like abortion. That's why Catholics aren't allowed to use condoms...because it kills babies.

ann curry should be taken off the air,she pretends to be a soft hearted person but her personal agenda often comes thru in her interviews and comments.Her anger on any issue that she disagrees with is plainly seen on her facial expressions and comments.I believe she only picks and chooses the parts of the bible that she agrees with and wishs to argue with the teachings of God. My discuss with her concerning her behavior,beliefs and comments has pushed me to write these comments as I generally don"t pay much attention to that which is said by people in her position. NBC should have no connection with her or her views(keep them to herself  and the -----) NBC should know better and can do so

Ann Curry should be ashamed of herself. I was truly embarrassed for the way she behaved during this interview. She should remain neutral! Her facial displays and remarks towards Rick Warren were unnecessary. She must be gay herself. I will NEVER watch an interview that she is involved in again. She constantly interrupted him throughout the entire interview. Ann Curry makes me sick. She is obnoxious and rude.

You guys need to stick to what you know.  The Bible does specifically say that homosexuality as sin in numerous places.  Here is a sample:

Lev 18:22

22 "'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

NIV

Leviticus 18:22-23

18:22-23. Also forbidden were homosexuality (cf. Gen 19; Lev 20:13; Judg 19:22; Rom 1:26-27; 1 Cor 6:9) and bestiality (cf. Ex 22:19; Lev 20:15-16; Deut 27:21).

(from Bible Knowledge Commentary/Old Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries; Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament Copyright © 1983, 2000 Cook Communications Ministries. All rights reserved.)

Lev 20:13

13 'A If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.

NASU

Rom 1:26-27

26 For this reason A God gave them over to B degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is 1 unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, A men with men committing 1 indecent acts and receiving in 2 their own persons the due penalty of their error.

NASU

1 Cor 6:9-11

9 Or A do you not know that the unrighteous will not B inherit the kingdom of God? C Do not be deceived; D neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor 1 effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will A inherit the kingdom of God. 1

NASU

Thanks Jim! I was about to start listing when I saw you already had.

On using Biblical passages out of context to abuse, oppress and make people feel ashamed:

I know every single verse people use against me like the back of my hand. I've heard them shot at me like rocks repeatedly for just about 16 years. I was raised Catholic. Trust me, I know them. I learned them in Hebrew and Greek to translate them myself. I know it's futile to even bother trying to tell you. 

Your minds cannot be changed. All you want to do is abuse someone and justify it with scripture. You're only doing it because you love us, I'm sure. Through Jesus Christ, you harm people. I'm sure he'd be proud of you. You shut the door to the kingdom of heaven in our faces when you yourselves do not enter.

There was no word for "homosexual" in greek or hebrew when the Bible was written. The Bible was not written in english, let alone modern english. Every instance of the word "homosexual" in YOUR translation of the Bible is incorrect! The churches intentionally translated it that way to use against us. You can say the Bible is infallible, but do you really know if the translation you are reading is infallible? They mistranslated words that actually mean "prostitute" or "pervert". They could only translate it that way if they were homophobic to begin with.

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are." Mathew 23:15 (NIV because it has extra kick)

My heart goes out to all the gay kids that have to grow up being psychologically, spiritually and emotionally abused with the Bible by their own family. I only hope they make it out without committing suicide or turning to drugs. The ones who don't make it, their blood is on your hands as far as I'm concerned. Maybe Jesus will forgive you.

Do you feel exalted when you spout these verses? When you pray do you thank God you're not like us sinners? Is there a plank in your eye? Will you be judged in the same way you have judged us?

Either way we're still your neighbor. Have a nice purgatory.

To start with, I personally do not believe in purgatory. Next, I do not hate gays, adulterers, drunkards, liars, murderers, etc. I cannot count the sins I have commited, and choose on a daily basis to strive (with the help of God) to do better. I am sorry if I came off as hating you. I simply have a different opinion than yours. Do we have to hate one another to disagree? Furthermore, I would really appreciate a reputable source concerning the meaning of homosexual in the Bible(unbiased source please).

I'm sorry that people have mistreated you.  There was no intent to hurt you in the quoting of those verses.  They simply state that homosexuality is a sin.  It is never easy to hear that you may be wrong about something.  God still loves us all, and we all sin in our own various ways.  I have experienced that same reality myself, not on homosexuality because I don't struggle with that, but in my own personal sins.  Changing requires first accepting that Jesus died for your sins so that you can be forgiven of them, then only He can give you the power to change and do what is right.  Changing is never easy, and it is an ongoing process, but the process builds character.  That is part of our condition here on earth, and it is only in knowing God has something better for us can we find the hope and courage to get through this life.

I don't know what your linguistic sources are that claim that the word used is mistranslated, but it isn't just that word that expresses it.  Lev. 18:22 and 20:13 describe the act in a phrase, so an error of a single word translation doesn't change anything.  Rom. 1:27 does the same thing.  This is not an opinion.  It is clearly what the Bible says.  You can disagree with it, but I hope you have a sound basis for that other than because it is inconvenient with the choices you've made already.

For purposes of clarification, the Greek word used in 1 Cor. 6:9 that is translated as "homosexual" is "arsenokoítai", literally it does refer to a "sodomite" .  The definition of that word includes copulation with members of the same sex, and more specifically in the Greek reference includes catamites (boys having sex with men).  This passage, when read in in its entire context, certainly is referring to homosexual activity as part of its description.  In the NIV it is actually broken down into all meanings from the one Greek word.

There is no excuse for condemning people, passing judgment, either on our part nor on your part.  We don't have the knowledge or insight to do that, only God does.  However, God does teach us to use good judgment and discernment between good and evil.  We need to know right from wrong.  I think the problem that arises with homosexuals is that they have been taught that it is their identity, that is "who they are."  So when the sin is identified, they take it as a personal attack on their identity.  Homosexuality is not an identity, it is a behavior.  A person who has desires for members of the same sex have simply somehow picked up something that has misdirected their affections.  God calls us not to give in to our natural (sinful) desires, but to put our faith in Him to help us do what is right.  Just because we have a desire doesn't mean we should fulfill it.  Many desires are sinful.

I believe Ann Curry had the right to ask the questions she did.   It gave Warren the opportunity to answer the questions directly rather than have them filtered through the media. 

I think, however, that Ann confused the issues of tolerating other lifestyles as opposed to defining marriage as anything other than between a man and woman.   I may disagree with homosexual behavior, but believe our society must tolerate it if conducted between two consenting adults in the privacy of their own "home" and not  promoted as just an alternative lifestyle and certainly not elevated to the right of marriage.  

Warren is right that all other cultures and religions see homosexuality as aberrent sexual behavior.   Even a freshman biology class understands the human body is designed for sexual intercourse between a male and female.   So Ann's question about biology/science is moot, since science hinges on that physical difference alone, not behavioral differences. 

One other thing:   Homophobic is a word that doesn't really work.  Phobia denotes fear.  I'm not afraid of Homosexuality.   I may not like it or agree with it, but I'm not afraid of it, only afraid of what societal promotion of it will do to us.

I hope Rick Warren doesn't teach straight from the Bible because there are some parts that we as a society do not accept anymore, like slavery.  However if you mean he preaches the lessons that the bible promotes like love one another as you would like to be loved.....then I am ok with that.....

Why go to church and pray if you don't believe that bible?  I would like to see that he sticks as close to the bible as possible.  If we lived our lives as taught in the bible there would not be all the grief there is in the world today.

sounds like libertiesgirl only takes out of the bible what works for her. you ought not to discuss it if you really don't know more about it than that!!

Oh Vera, don't get me started on what's in the Bible. First off, it is capitalized. Second, read the Septuigent and then tell me you want to live by the Bible's word.

Are you the property of your husband?

Do you ever wear pants?

Have you cut your hair?

Does your husband shave his beard?

Do you wear clothing made of blends of different materials?

Do you eat shrimp? Lobster?

If so, you have committed unforgiveable abominations that are punishable by death (stoning, to be precise). I could go on for quite awhile. Leviticus is long on abominations.

It seems to me you all pick and choose while accusing others of picking and choosing.

joubess1,

There are rules of interpretation for any writings, biblical or not, that are used to extract the intended message.  Those rules are applied strenuously by theologians.  They don't pick and choose what they want.  Your list is an example of how poorly you understand the Bible.  You can take anything out of context, in any writing, and make it mean something different.  That is why there are rules of interpretation, to avoid that.

Jim - n630996 what are the rules of interpretation? why does homosexuality not get to be intrepreted while the eating of shellfish does? is seems that the christians get to pick and choose  but if the non-christians do that they are told they are wrong.   no where in the bible does it say that ANYTHING is left to interpretation.  so no shellfish, no football, no sex with the wife for seven days after menstration, slavery is ok.  it's the religious "right" that interprets the bible how they choose, disregarding what they want but keeping what they want.  jim, what are these rules theologians apply? scientist apply rules but theologians get to intrepret how they want whilly nilly. they view the bible and its contents thru there own viewpioint.  the king james bible clearly states that no one  is to eat sea creatures with shells and that ANYONE that touches (or eats) a pig is unclean. point blank.  it's not up to intrepretation.  why are you allowed to say what can be 'intrepreted" and what can't.

shammah,

First, everything is interpreted.  Everything you hear, see, read, touch, taste, etc, requires you to interpret it to understand the information you have just taken in.  How you interpret it can determine how accurately you interpret it.  If you let your personal biases interfere with what you have taken in, it will affect how you understand it.

Second, the rules of interpretation of the Bible, or any other historical document for that matter, require consideration of a number of things before you can apply it to life today.  You have to consider the cultural gap, the grammatical gap, the literary gap, the figures of speech used during that time, the literary "types" and the literary symbols used at that time, be able to identify when they were telling a parable and when they were being literal, and finally understand how prophetic illustrations were made at the time.  You also have to take into consideration the translation issues from the Hebrew and Greek that was used at the time, into English, and what open issues there may be in the translation of the intended meanings of the original writings.  That is a lot to take in before you can accurately make a claim on what can be learned from what is written.

No where is there latitude to inject personal biases to decide what is said.  Teams of theologians work together to painstakingly parse the words from the original language without regard for what the ultimate message might be, and to minimize the impact of personal biases of any individual.  It is only after they have done all the translation work that they look back to see what is said.  Often times we don't like what it says, but we have to take it in context with the entire Bible to clarify it.  It still may not be something we want to hear, but there is still no one who has proven anything written is false.  Only after all this is done, can we apply it to our lives today in our current context.  It is true, there are some Christians, and even Pastors and Priests, who will make intentional, or unintentional, errors of interpretation to conform to their personal ideas, but that doesn't make the Bible wrong.  It makes those people wrong.

The Bible contains stories where slaves existed, but in no way does it teach that slavery is acceptable.   I've seen many other things like this claimed about the Bible, but it is a result of not understanding what is actually written and how to make the connection to an application for today, without using it as a tool to support your own ideas.  Often the popular culture of the day will influence how some interpret the Bible, such as Homosexual friendly churches intentionally reinterpreting passages of Scripture to appear to allow homosexuality as normal behavior.  Those kinds of positions have always proven to go by the wayside throughout history, and will reappear in another form later only to be discredited again.

When great care is taken to interpret what is written in the Bible, one does not choose what they like and reject the rest.  It would be much easier to settle this controversy of same sex marriage if there were not passages that teach it is a sin.  But since it does, those who believe the Bible are stuck with that position.  That doesn't give them any license to condemn the people who practice it, they must treat them with respect and show them a loving attitude.  However, at the same time, they are stuck with the fact that it is a sin according to their beliefs, so they cannot condone the behavior.  People's identity is not determined by their behavior.  Homosexuality is not an identity, it is a behavior.  Christ does not condemn people, He condemns the sins they commit.

I won't pretend to be a bible scholor but i have read some of it. I think my overall arguement was how people pick and choose from the bible what they want.  They say homosexuality is a sin however they leave out the part about eating shellfish and the touching of a pig b/c it's unclean.  But after much mulling it over, i have to say same sex marriage should be allowed.  Christians want to say marriage is a sacrament, blah blah blah, ... before god.  Well, that's fine and dandy if you want a marriage ceramony but to get a marriage licence you have to go to a government office.  If someone doesn't want to marry someone of the same sex, thats fine with me however, since it's the government issueing the licences the issue of god needs to stay out of it.  The separation of church and state thingy in the Constitution.  It says the government can't favor any particular religion.  Since the anti-same sex marriage arguement is based on christian beliefs, it favors that religion.  People want to bring up the koran.  I know nothing about the koran but i'm sure the court would not allow any law that favors Judeo-Christian & Muslim books.  I'm buddhist and any law that favors any one of those religions would infriinge on my religious beliefs.  Dispite what Warren said, nothing in buddhism excludes same sex marriage.  Buddha did say marriage gets in the way, creating attachments but nothing on same sex marriages.  So what i'm trying to say is, civil laws and state laws should not be  based on any religion since some allow things others don't.

And i hope this doesn' t hurt the above arguement, no one has proven the bible to be true.  If i may suggest reading Sam Harris or Richard Dawkins.  They make better arguements than i ever could. 

Sure, listen to those two guys and then also listen to Lee Strobel and Josh McDowell, both former athiests, then make an intelligent decision on where to put your faith.

...am wondering what part of the interview you watched???

Name calling. 

AMEN!

AMEN, too!!! fenway-780960

So, obviously, Ann is such a thorough and knowledgeable student of the Bible, that her few proof-texts thrown out randomly in the course of this interview shows how wrong Reverend Warren's Biblical views are!?! And she assumes that he's never looked at or thought about those passages!?!

And the few texts she did throw out aren't even accurate. God doesn't say in Leviticus 19 that the one who tattoo's himself is to be put to death. Leviticus 11 states the kosher diet. You were unclean to eat non-kosher. You weren't put to death. Where does she (or whoever wanted to throw this into the interview) come up with this stuff? 

Many people may not realize this, but Rick Warren holds a Doctors Degree from seminary.  Good luck challenging him on what he says unless you are a Biblical scholar yourself.

I appreciate your comments but the bible is pretty clear on this particular issue. The question I have for you is do you believe homosexuality is a sin?  I don't know enough about the homosexual life style or beliefs.  I have heard some say that they should be allowed to love who they want which leads me to relatives or multiple wives.  Do you support polygamy as you support gay marriage?  These are mentioned in the same chapter of Leviticus.  I believe those of opposing views should dialog and that is why I am asking the questions.  It almost seems as if the bible is wrong or do you feel it is misinterpret?  If so, is there any definitive?  Is wrong, wrong and right, right or does it always depend on what one likes or desires?

Mr. Warren said some things are right and some things are wrong.  Who decides what is right and wrong, him?  He may think homosexuality is wrong, but for the person who is gay it is not, it is his nature. 

I respect religion and its followers.  If they want to believe marriage is between a man and a woman that is their right.  I personally believe marriage is between two loving, consenting adults.  The Constitution, not the Bible, is the law of this country.  Until we get back to the laws set forth in the Constitution, there will be unrest in this country.

Just because you can find things like polygamy and slavery in the Bible doesn't mean that the Bible teaches those things to be acceptable.  You can't pull these things out of the Bible like that and prove the Bible is wrong.  You have to take what is written in its proper context, including the use language and grammar of the time, the culture, the nature of literature, etc.  before you can draw out any application of principles to today.

Hey Bill,  Why two?  Why not a 3 some or a man and his dog?  Warren was right every culture, every world religion and all of human history tells us that marriage was between a man and a woman.  Take your logic to it's logical conclusion it doesn't work in any species on this planet.  Warren was kind, gracious and very gentle with a woman who obvisiously had an ax to grind. 

AND you SAID IT ALL  ....US  humans can act so superior!

Yes he is over weight but I did not hear him say that it was right.  That was not the topic nor was it addressed.

Actually, historically speaking, and legally speaking the founding fathers did  NOT want a christian nation.  They were wise enough to want religion and matters of government separated - its called Separation of church and state.  the founding fathers were most likely atheist or agnostic but recently the religious "right" has said they were christion so people believed them.  If they were so christion, why didn't they set up a christian state?     in truth they didn't b/c they realized the bible to be false, nothing but a fairy tale to placate the small minded.  so they set up a government based on laws not of theocracy, so that everyone can enjoy civil rights.  americans will only live up to their potential once they shed their small minded theocratic view and embrace each other as humans.

If I thought you knew what you were talking about, I might listen to you . Have you READ the bible? I mean really read it or like so many a few chapters here or there.

I don't see what the difference is for this discussion since they are having or will have sex.  I also don't see what statements that he made that leads you to say he is the devil.  I don't agree with President Elect Obama on all things but this one I am warming up to the more I read folks speak as you do.  If nothing else it hopefully will start a dialog and understanding on both sides of the issue

3 times is not a charm in the case of c.c.'s comment.