Did Rick Warren lie about Prop8?

Saddleback mega-church pastor Rick Warren, who gave the invocation at Obama's inauguration, went on Larry King's show Monday night and said this:

In the first place, I am not an anti-gay or anti-gay marriage activist. I never have been, never will be.

During the whole Proposition 8 thing, I never once went to a meeting, never once issued a statement, never -- never once even gave an endorsement in the two years Prop 8 was going.

In what seems to be a contradiction of himself, here is a video clip of Pastor Warren, saying:

"By the way, the election's coming up in a couple of weeks, and I hope you're praying about your vote. One of the propositions I want to mention is Proposition 8, which is the proposition that had to be instituted because the courts threw out the will of the people. And a court, of four guys actually, voted to change a definition of Christian . . . er, a definition of marriage that had been going for 5,000 years.

"Now let me just say this really clearly: We support Proposition 8, and if you believe what the Bible says about marriage, you need to support Proposition 8. I never support a candidate, but on moral issues, I come out very clear."

He then goes on to say, erroneously, that "every culture for 5,000 years and every religion for 5,000 years has said that the definition of marriage is between one man and a woman." Just a moment earlier he had been even more definitive: "one man and one woman, for life."

What's all that in the Bible about multiple wives, Pastor? What about the Mormons? And multiple wives are allowed under certain circumstances in both Islam and Hinduism. You should study your religious history before you spout off, Pastor.

But he's thinking about homosexuality, not polygamy. So he goes on:

"There are about 2% of the population are homosexual, or gay, lesbian. We should not let 2% of the population determine, er, change a definition of marriage that has been supported by every single culture and every single religion for 5,000 years.

"This is not even just a Christian issue; it's a humanitarian and human issue. God created marriage for family and love and procreation. So I urge you to support Proposition 8 and pass that word on. I'm going to be sending out a note to pastors on what I believe about this, but everybody knows what I believe about it. They heard me at the Civil Forum when I asked both Obama and McCain on their views."

At the very least, Warren is slippery with the truth. This video apparently was one he had on his web site, addressed to his parishioners, but available for anyone who visited the church's widely popular web site. Here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o4QqGbQmU0

I guess you might say that this isn't being an anti-gay marriage activist, since he's not out there actively promoting it but simply speaking to his flock -- and whatever group of pastors he's going to send a note to.

But it certainly does constitute making a statement and giving an endorsement. What about that, Brother Rick? What about that, Larry King? What about holding this Man of God to the simple truth of his own words?

I admit that Rick Warren has done a lot of good humanitarian works and is cut from different cloth than Pat Robertson and James Dobson. But why lie? If you support Prop8, why pretend that you did nothing to help get it passed?

Ralph