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I'm Anti-Gay Marriage, Not Anti-Gay: Warren

Controversial pastor aims to dampen criticism, civilize discourse

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 24, 2008 9:34 AM CST

(Newser) – Rick Warren continues to refine his stance on gays and gay marriage, saying he is “not opposed to gays having their partnership,” and that his anti-gay marriage stance doesn’t make him anti-gay, the AP reports. “I’m opposed to gays using the term marriage for their relationship,” the pastor, whose inauguration invitation raised hackles in the gay community, tells his church in a new video.

Warren also clarified recent comments that some thought equated gay relationships with incest and pedophilia. “I have in no way ever taught that homosexuality is the same thing as a forced relationship between an adult and a child, or between siblings,” Warren said, noting that he was using those instances as examples of other relationships Christians would not call marriage.

Obama and Warren, who will preach at his inauguration.
Obama and Warren, who will preach at his inauguration.   (AP Photo)
Evangelical Pastor Rick Warren.
Evangelical Pastor Rick Warren.   (AP Photo)
Barack Obama shakes hands with Pastor Rick Warren during the Saddleback Forum.
Barack Obama shakes hands with Pastor Rick Warren during the Saddleback Forum.   (AP Photo)
Rick Warren.
Rick Warren.   (AP Photo)
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The video address.   (Spittn4Cash)

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We're both willing to be criticized in order to try to bring America into a new day of civil discourse and to create a new model that says you don't have to agree only with your side on everything. - Rick Warren, on himself and Barack Obama

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Guest
Dec 29, 2008 7:20 PM CST
That marriage is a static institution is the biggest lie the anti-marriage folks tell. 5000 years my arse, what about Loving vs. Virginia? What about the Rule of Thumb? What about polygamy? What about divorce?
vendetta
Dec 27, 2008 7:17 PM CST
And Obama chooses this jackass for his inaguration?!!? I feel like im taking crazy pills.
Guest
Dec 23, 2008 11:12 PM CST
The original interview is at: http://www.beliefnet.com/Video/Beliefnet-Interviews/Rick-Warren/Rick-Warren-Interview-On-Gay-Marriage-And-Divorce.aspx. It's interesting how he combines spin and flat out lying to clean up his image here. I'll just include a short excerpt from the original interview: 2:05 Warren: "But the issue to me is, um, I'm not opposed to [partnership benefits] as much as I'm opposed to the redefinition of a 5000 year definition of marriage. I'm opposed to having a brother and sister be together and call that marriage. I'm opposed to an older guy marrying a child and calling that a marriage. I'm opposed to one guy having multiple wives and calling that a marriage." 2:29 Interviewer: "Do you think those are equivalent to gays getting married?" 2:31 Warren: "Oh I do. I just, for 5000 years marriage has been defined by every single culture and every single religion. This is not a Christian issue." More screed follows. First, I'd like to point out that he does, in fact, equate gay marriage with incestuous, pedophilic, or polygamous marriages. This is directly contrary to what he says in the video on this page at 2:32: "I have been accused of equating gay partnerships with incest and pedophilia". Gee, I can't imaging how that rumor could've gotten started. Second, he is being disingenuous to suggest that the definition of marriage has never changed. It clearly has. Women are sometimes allowed to be equals now. There are fewer polygamous marriages compared to, say, certain sections of the Old Testament. Divorce is legal. People sometimes get married to a person of their own, rather than their parent's, choosing. These are fundamental changes to the institution of marriage. To suggest that marriage has survived 5000 years unchanged borders on an outright lie. Finally, in my own personal code of ethics, definitions are less important than people. If Warren really has no problem with the civil rights of gay people, then let him campaign as effectively for equal rights are he campaigns for a dead definition. If he does that, then I will sing his praises.

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