Rick Warren Question

by: Chris Bowers

Mon Jan 19, 2009 at 05:30


Natasha and I are just about finished packing, and we will be heading to D.C. in a few hours. It is harder to pack for an inaugural ball Monday night, standing outside in the cold for several hours Tuesday morning, and a Wednesday trip to the Senate than it looks. This is especially the case if you have to fit everything into a single over-the-should bag because you have a broken arm.

While it may come as a shock to a few of you, I am actually very excited about this trip. What's more, the inauguration itself is, by far, the top event to which I am looking forward.

There is one question in the back of my mind though: what am I going to do when Rick Warren starts talking? Given my lack of spiritual inclinations, I am not very happy that we have to sit through a prayer at all, but being captive to him feels particularly uncomfortable. So, I'd like to do something about it.

In trying to think of an action, I am not worried about any anti-Warren action making us lefties look too partisan or ideological on TV, no matter how dirty those words have become these days. However, I am worried about any action that could turn the crowd against itself, even in small, localized areas. For this event, I think it is important that the crowd be happy and familial.

I'm open to ideas. Turning around? Booing? Singing Rick Astley? Any thoughts?

Chris Bowers :: Rick Warren Question

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Rick Warren Question | 50 comments
It is little and petty, but it gives me comfort when (4.00 / 2)
I'm trapped "praying".   I refuse to bow my head, clasp my hands, or join in the repeating of prayer.  Instead, I gaze around wide-eyed at the prayers and observe, as if sitting on a bench in a shopping mall.  Or, you could go to the bathroom and miss him altogether.  

They're asking for another four years -- in a just world, they'd get 10 to 20. ~~ Dennis Kucinich  
The first answer is the best (0.00 / 0)
Stony silence and nonparticipation makes the point without making the inauguration about you. There will be plenty of time to make our points. Please just let the inauguration be the time of community that Obama wants.
[ Parent ]
But Chjris would still have to listen to Warren's crap... (4.00 / 1)
...so I find my idea with the big headphones (downthread) better.
:-/
[ Parent ]
Put your fingers in your ears (0.00 / 0)
and go "La, La, La, La, I can't wont' listen to you!"?

Really when he was announced I envisioned thousands of jackets opening up when he reached the podium revealing thousands of rainbow imprinted T shirts,

Turning your backs would just give the wingnuts so much fodder to continue to try to undermine the new administration.

Cara

I say they should turn their backs. (4.00 / 1)
I feel like they are morally bound to overtly register disapproval. Screw the wingnuts.
[ Parent ]
Ok, but this would make the people behind Chris uncomfortable (0.00 / 0)
I mean, come on, would you like a guy staring at you when you're praying? A bit disrespectful, imho.
[ Parent ]
Pink Triangle (4.00 / 5)
I like the rainbow tee-shirt idea, but I think holding up the pink triangle idea downthread is the best I've seen -- something visual, quiet, non-disruptive -- this does not disrupt the prayer for those whose eyes are closed, but it registers protest for the cameras ...

Republicans can't fix our country; they're too busy saddlebacking.
[ Parent ]
really hard one... (0.00 / 0)
How to avoid condoning but also avoid alienating fellow
"victims"...

About the best I can come up with is to pretend to sing a civil rights anthem. Don't actually sing it, or else you'll disrupt those immediately around you. Instead, just mouth the words and act like you are singing.

Anyone not closing their eyes in prayer will notice. Anyone adept at lip-reading will note the reference. If anyone asks you later, you can tell them what you were singing and you'll have a full back story.

They call me Clem, Clem Guttata. Come visit wild, wonderful West Virginia Blue

Remember.... No Drama. (4.00 / 5)
It was Howard Dean who said in 2005 that we need to stop looking down at these people and start convincing them to vote for us. Is there a need for this kind of drama on Inauguration Day? I would quietly sing "Never Gonna Give You Up" and just tune out Warren for the few minutes he'll be up there.
I hate that time (4.00 / 1)
as well when I am 'forced' to sit through a prayer. Last time I was in a situation like that, i picked my nose :)
A more hygenic (4.00 / 5)
yet still antisocial approach might be to make phone calls on your cellphone? Check your email? You could say to the person on the other end, "naw it hasn't started yet, we're still waiting. Some guy is up there, I don't know who he is."

Montani semper liberi
[ Parent ]
That's beautifully passive-aggressive! (4.00 / 2)
I love it!

"No, we're just sitting here and some bearded guy's droning about an invisible sky-giant or something? I think it's a scene from Harry Potter. Could be worse. I love me some Dumbledore."

[ Parent ]
take out a pocket bible... (4.00 / 2)
And leaf through it rapidly... if anyone asks later, you can say you were looking for the passages on how to treat the poor vs. how to treat human sexuality.

They call me Clem, Clem Guttata. Come visit wild, wonderful West Virginia Blue
[ Parent ]
I was caught (4.00 / 1)
flat footed. Where I was, I didnt expect there to be a prayer, so I just looked around aimlessly, like I was all alone picking away :)

I love your idea. I am absolutly going to use that next time.  

[ Parent ]
At public prayers (4.00 / 4)
(outside of church anyway, where prayer belongs) I always keep my eyes open, for two reasons.

First of all, the only people who can see me have their eyes open, too. So who are they to judge? Secondly, when guys like Rick Warren are in the vicinity, I'm watching my purse.

Montani semper liberi

[ Parent ]
I try and avoid (0.00 / 0)
places of worship, because I feel it rude if I am in their to dis-respect their house of worship, no matter how silly I think it is.

This incident I am speaking of was a Coin Auction of all places.  

[ Parent ]
Damn. (0.00 / 0)


Montani semper liberi
[ Parent ]
When George W. Addressed the Yale Commencement (4.00 / 2)
in 2001, shortly after he stole the election, certain Yale professors stood and turned their backs on him as he spoke.
Appropriate here.
Compared to some of the other suggestions... (4.00 / 1)
standing with your back turned (or sitting if others are standing), though boring, sounds about as good as any other protest statements suggested.
You'll make your point to those around you while respecting their space.

 

[ Parent ]
I like the suggestion to hold aloft a pink triangle. (4.00 / 12)
It was sown onto the striped clothes of homosexuals by yjr Nazis in the death camps. It is the single symbol of the identification of gays and lesbians being unworthy in the eyes of the state, and it has become the symbol of a people who wont take it anymore.

Just print a pink triangle big enough for a eight by 11 paper and hold it aloft for the prayer.

I would to see a few hundred thousand during the prayer. It would be a moment of historical proportions if a million did.


Change
"We must break up the banks and never again let them get so big that they distort our politics and take down the economy.

I second the pink triangle (4.00 / 3)
it's the LG symbol.  A couple friends of mine are doing the same (with a shirt I gave them to cut up).


[ Parent ]
A printout is perfect. (4.00 / 1)
I was thinking that waving a pink triangle was the best solution, but I was wondering where the heck you could find a pink triangle quickly on short notice.
 And the pink triangle has mutiple layers of significance given Warren's deranged statement r.e. Nazis. It very efficiently cuts at the core of Warren's offensiveness.
[ Parent ]
Maybe tape it to your back (0.00 / 0)
so you don't have to look at him.
[ Parent ]
rainbow flag (0.00 / 0)
here is a rainbow flag that can be printed

http://media.timeoutnewyork.co...

[ Parent ]
I'm in for $100 if Chris starts (4.00 / 2)
belting out Rick Astley. To any cause of his choosing.

Who's with me?!

Shout... (4.00 / 5)
"Hallelujah, I'm cured! My arm is healed, and I'm not gay anymore!"

Wait about five seconds as everyone stares. Then add: "Oops, I guess not," as you quickly glance at bone and boner.

Terrible idea, (4.00 / 1)
but a great image.
[ Parent ]
Peace (4.00 / 2)
The only experience I've been in that feels equivalent is at baseball games.  On Sunday games, before the 7th inning stretch, they ask everyone to rise, remove hats, and sing "God Bless America."  This angers me on a gazillion levels-- it's basically a hymn, we've already sung the national anthem, it's a stupid time in the game to do something like this, etc.  But sometimes I just want to go to the baseball game, you know?  So I do not rise, or remove my hat, but I raise my right hand and give the "peace" gesture.  It helps me communicate a little something about how much this all bothers me, without being completely disruptive or disrespectful.  I used to just sit, but sometimes people would think I hadn't heard or didn't know what was going on and would tell me to stand up. Throwing in the peace sign seems to help most people register that I'm having a tiny protest.
I hope that's obedient enough to satisfy the God Squad (0.00 / 0)
[ Parent ]
And a news item about the incident (0.00 / 0)
[ Parent ]
Wear An Obviously Gay Liberation T-Shirt (0.00 / 0)

If you want things to be happy and familial (0.00 / 0)
the only option is to do nothing, or at least nothing significant.

Any kind of noticeable protest against Warren will be the lead story coming out of the inauguration. It could also cause the crowd to "turn against itself" to some extent, as most people there probably don't have a problem with Warren.

I'm not saying that's a good thing or a bad thing, I'm just saying - if people protest, they should do so knowing what will happen, and what will be made of it.  

A sign with a simple message. (0.00 / 0)
Perhaps something saying that "We are not all religious.  Love one another."  Or "The greatness of America depends on respect and love for the spiritual and secular alike."  Or "I have a dream that one day the people of our nation will not be judged by their faith in God, but by the content of their character."  Maybe these are too long, but you get the idea.  Something that won't make those who want to worship furrow their brows and purse their lips.
Don't think it would ever happen (4.00 / 1)
but the thought of Warren doing his thing while the gentle murmur of "Never Gonna Give You Up" rises from the crowd makes me smile wider than I have since election day.
the crowd can't be "happy and familial" -- bec of Warren -- (4.00 / 1)
why is that your concern more than the worldwide viewing and official seal of approval of Warren as the new Billy Graham?

turn your back, sing "We shall overcome", etc -- do something to register your disapproval.

or don't.

If you're afraid of making others unhappy, think of the millions of women and LGBT people and non-Christians who are disgusted and hurt and very unhappy with Obama's decisions and lies.

and realize too, that Gene Robinson's inclusion and prayer was not televised (4.00 / 1)
at all -- and Obama's team sold exclusive tv rights to yesterday's event, but specifically excluded that part.
[ Parent ]
Do what normal people do (4.00 / 1)
I would recommend that you do what everyone else does on a regular basis when they are not interested in the speaker: check your blackberry! Whether you text your friend, e-mail your mom or take pictures of all of the interesting faces around you, know that being a grown-up means realizing that not every single moment of every single day is about us.

Signed,

A person who spends way more time bored than she should.

Boo, loud (0.00 / 0)
Loud enough for the thousand people around you to realize hear the sound of somebody standing up to bigotry. Keep booing as long as Warren pollutes the microphone.

Anything less is half-ass and not effective at drawing attention.

this is what Warren instructs his flock to do-- (4.00 / 1)
Jesus Is Just Like Hitler, But In A Good Way -- http://multi-medium.net/2009/0...

...     Towards the close of his nearly one hour speech, Pastor Warren asked his followers to be as committed to Jesus as the young Nazi men and women who spelled out in mass formation with their bodies the words "Hitler, we are yours," in 1939 at the Munich Stadium, were committed to the Führer of the Third Reich, a major instigator of a World War that claimed 55 million lives....

   Though Warren's speech was in the idiom of Christianity, he did not seek to inspire his Saddleback audience with examples of great religious leaders who have changed history through persuasion or other nonviolent approaches. Rick Warren looked to 20th century exemplars of vision and dedication but not to Mohatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, or any other religious leaders.

...Rick Warren instructed the crowd of his thirty thousand to hold up pre-printed signs, within their programs, white letters against a red background, that said "Whatever it takes."

Looking out at the crowd Warren enthused, "I'm looking at a stadium full of people who are saying, 'whatever it takes, God'. ...

  Warren revealed that he'd received a message from God to seek more influence, power and fame. God, Warren narrated, led him to Psalm 72, "Solomon's prayer for more influence... in Psalm 72 [Solomon] says 'God, I want you to make me more influential. God, I want you to give me more power. I want you to bless my life more. God, I want you to spread the fame of my name through other countries.'"

...But he only wants God to enrich his life for our benefit, so he can take over the world and make it a better place.  This is where Hitler and Mao had it all right, and King and Gandhi had it all wrong.  After all, the only way to change the world is by ruling it, right?

(It took all my willpower not to title this "Jesus Is Just All Reich With Me," but I felt that it didn't quite capture the depth of Warren's idiocy and insanity.)


change his sign-- to "Whatever it takes - TO STOP YOU" (0.00 / 0)
that's what i'd do, and i'd be sure to tell reporters why, and i wouldn't care who got upset about it.
[ Parent ]
Probably the simplest, (4.00 / 2)
and easiest, thing is to look around for the people who are wearing pink/rainbow attire, then go stand with them and do what they do.

You won't be the only one there with a social conscience!

Montani semper liberi

Here's an idea: (4.00 / 2)
Listen.
Whatever you do, don't disrupt the prayer! (4.00 / 2)
This would be a show of blatant intolerance of other people's believes. And I don't think this would be received well. High probability to get your leg kicked, or even more violent reactions. So, booing or talking on the phone isn't a good idea at all.

Conseqently, your protest has to be a silent one. Using your clothes to "voice" your opinion is a good idea, sure, but not very original, and it still leaves you acoustically exposed to Warren's brouhaha.

My idea: Buy one of those old school headphones, one of those big things that make you look like Mickey Mouse and keep other sounds from the environment out. Connect it to your IPod, or any other MP3 player (you made need an adapter for those small stereo plugs). And don't forget to advertise the alternative program of your choice by attaching paper signs on the front and rear of the top of the headphone, with a message like "listening to Martin Luther King instead" (or any other orator that may be adequate. The Dalai Lama? Harvey Milk? JFK?).

You won't disturb the others, you won't have to listen to Warren, and you'll show your protest to the people that surround you. Best solution, imho.

That IS more orginal, for better or worse. :) n/t (0.00 / 0)

[ Parent ]
Erm... (4.00 / 1)
Maybe not the Dalai Lama.
[ Parent ]
Dan Savage had good advice (4.00 / 2)
for what to do at the inauguration.

Also, he's taking a poll on what the new definition of "saddlebacking" should be.

I like number 5!

http://www.thestranger.com/sea...

Join the Iowa progressive community at Bleeding Heartland.

I'd say turn your back. (4.00 / 1)
Maybe hold up a protest sign.  
Wear a sticker with the message... (0.00 / 0)
...that you're a secular humanist (or whatever you consider yourself) who supports full equality for gay and lesbian people.  And wear it for the whole day.  It's not particularly important to register disapproval of Warren for a few seconds.  That message is already out there.  It's more important to simply let people know where you stand.

And take stickers to hand out to the people around you who are like-minded.  There will probably be many.

"Ain't no stranger to loooove... (0.00 / 0)
You know the rules, and soooo DO I."

Belt it out, Chris.  

Didn't we have this discussion a month back? (4.00 / 1)
In any event, a friend of mine can vomit on command. That seems appropriate to me. You should work on that.

undercaffeinated
Rick Warren Question | 50 comments





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