Obama, McCain to attend joint forum at Saddleback Church

[cvangel]

Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church, announces the formation of a coalition or network of churches to take the Global Peace Plan into the next phase.

PAUL RODRIGUEZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER


Monday, July 21, 2008
Obama, McCain to attend joint forum at Saddleback Church
Poll: Should events like these be banned as violating the separation between church and state?
By MARTIN WISCKOL
The Orange County Register
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Lake Forest Presidential hopefuls John McCain and Barack Obama will speak Aug. 16 at Saddleback Church in what is expected to be the only joint campaign event for the candidates before the national conventions.

The Lake Forest megachurch’s pastor, Rick Warren, will moderate the joint appearance, which will take place on the eve of the two national party conventions. After a brief appearance together, the two candidates will separately spend an hour talking with Warren.

"This is a critical time for our nation, and the American people deserve to hear both candidates speak from the heart – without interruption – in a civil and thoughtful format absent the partisan ‘gotcha’ questions that typically produce heat instead of light," Warren said.

The event will be part of the church’s "Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion," with 6,500 seats available at six viewing locations – live and televised – throughout the church campus. When ticketing details are worked out, information will be available at saddleback.com.

The appearance underlines the reach of the 22,000-member church, and the value the campaigns place on connecting with Christians. Obama spoke live at the church’s annual AIDS Summit in 2006, and both candidates gave a video address at that event last year.

Church and state
Yes it should or churches should pay taxes
43%

No it should not; events like these are informational not partisan.
57%


Total Votes: 14





"The primaries proved that Americans care deeply about the faith, values, character and leadership convictions of the candidates as much as they do about the issues," Warren said.

"While I know both men as friends and they recognize I will be frank but fair, they also know I will be raising questions in these four areas beyond what political reporters typically ask. This includes pressing issues that are bridging divides in our nation, such as poverty, HIV/AIDS, climate and human rights."

The candidates requested that question be posed exclusively by Warren, instead of a panel or members of the audience, the church’s founding pastor said. It will last from 5 p.m. to 7p.m., with a coin toss determining that Obama would go first.

"While debates typically focus primarily on the candidates’ positions and only secondarily on how they’d lead and make decision, this Saddleback Civil Forum will reverse that ratio," Warren said. "Leadership involves far more than promoting programs and making speeches, and since no one can predict what crises will happen over the next four years, it is vital to know the decision capacity and process of each man."


http://tinyurl.com/566c85

[Texas2step]

I believe that to violate "the separation of church and state", a minister (rabbi, imman, etc.) must actually endorse-or request that his/her parishioners vote for-a specific political candidate in his official capacity.

[cvangel]

Calif pastor says McCain, Obama to do church forum





Associated Press - July 21, 2008 1:44 PM ET

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP) - An Orange County, California, pastor says John McCain and Barack Obama will appear together at his church for a two-hour question & answer forum next month.

Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church says he will question the presumptive presidential candidates on August 16th during the church's Saddleback Civil Forum on Leadership and Compassion.

Joshua DuBois, Obama's director of religious affairs, says the senator is "looking forward to going back to Saddleback with his good friend Pastor Rick Warren." Obama spoke at Saddleback in 2006.

Warren wrote the best-selling book "The Purpose Driven Life."
http://www.kold.com/Global/story.asp?S=8708694