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Protestants Hold Inauguration Monopoly

Priests, rabbis have been missing from ceremony for 20 years

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2009 7:42 AM CST

(Newser) – Barack Obama's swearing-in will be the sixth straight inauguration where rabbis and Catholic priests will be absent from the dais, reports Time. For decades it was traditional to have Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish representatives at the ceremony, but Billy Graham’s invocation (and benediction) at George Bush’s 1989 inauguration ushered in an Evangelical Protestant monopoly that continues with Rick Warren's opening prayer today.

Obama's team stresses that religious diversity is amply reflected at other inaugural events, including tomorrow's national prayer service. The team may have opted for ideological instead of ecumenical diversity on the dais, Time writes. It may also be the case that adding a rabbi to the lineup would have required the presence of an imam for balance—a step too far for a leader dogged by false rumors that he is a Muslim.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Gloria Tatum protests outside Ebenzer Baptist Church in Atlanta Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Rev. Rick Warren delivers the King Day keynote address at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Monday, Jan. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, chats with Rabbi Neil Cooper, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, after his speech at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Then Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, joins Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, for a discussion on moral issues, Aug. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File)

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Whether at the swearing-in ceremony or the national prayer service or the prayer on the Mall, there are several places where you will hear from all walks of the faith community. - transition spokeswoman Linda Douglass

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Protestants Hold Inauguration Monopoly