On 4-8-09 I posted comments about Rick Warren's conflicting statements about whether he endorsed, was an activist for, or otherwise supported California's Prop8.
Today he was scheduled to have been interviewed by George Stephanopolis on This Week, but he canceled just moments before the scheduled interview, citing exhaustion.
I suppose it is exhausting for a religious figure of his following to have to explain on national TV how he stretched the truth, if not outright lied. But I think he could have done a credible job of explaining the difference between (1) his own personal view and advice that he gave on his church's web site and at the same time (2) the fact that he was not part of the activist campaign to push Prop8, as the Mormons and Catholics and other evangelicals were -- to their dishonor, in my view, given the lies and disinformation they spread all over California like manure.
As I did when Obama picked him to give the inaugural prayer, I give Warren some slack for being less offensive than most megachurch, evangelical pastors. I don't think he was really lying, just emphasizing different aspects of the truth in order not to offend one group or the other in dealing with a controversial issue.
And, as I said about Obama's inclusiveness in choosing an evangelical to give the invocation, what if this influenced him to rethink his position and to become a little more moderate on the issue? Warren is a supporter of civil rights for gays and other issues of social justice and equality; what if he actually did change his mind on marriage?
I suspect that behind the "exhaustion" may be some ambivalence in his own private thoughts. Perhaps the Iowa and Vermont decisions this week made it just too hot an issue for someone like him to have to discuss on national TV right now. If he were sure of his opinion, he would probably welcome the forum to explain it.
Stay tuned.
Ralph
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