Rick Warren?

Rick Warren hates gays, women who chose choice, and probably a few other groups of people. But that's not the real problem with him. The problem is what he preaches - a philosophy that gives individuals and churches the authority (presumably from God) to meddle in other people's lives, take power in Government to wield it as God's power, and circumvent the law to enforce what they interpret as "God's law."

Check out his website. It's basically an eight point treatise on why the church should be in power rather than the government (as well as how it can accomplish this). Point number six, which covers the authority given to individuals by the church (to "take on" leadership) is really really troubling. Using the church to save the environment, fight disease and poverty, etc. is great. But using the church to enforce semantic based rules on people's lives, or enforce the saving of someone else's soul based on something they don't even believe in is completely at odds with everything our government stands for.

Can good things come out of religious people in the government? Absolutely. But Rick Warren preaches divine authorization and divine administration of people's lives. He is less than a step away from theocracy, and now Obama is inviting him to the steps of Capitol Hill. Can Obama justify this to his loyal following? Andrew Sullivan actually has a great suggestion. Personally, I hope Rick Warren gets booooed so loudly from the audience that no one can hear what he has to say.