Hilary Clinton At Saddleback Church


Many Christian critics of Rick Warren are particularly angry over the fact that presidential candidate Hilary Clinton made an appearance at Saddleback Church during the church's conference on AIDS. Consider these vehement objections:
"I was pretty surprised when i heard that Rick Warren's Saddleback church invited Barack Obama to speak to their congregation. . . I was appalled when i heard that Hilary Clinton soon followed. . . . This is like the White House having Kim Jon Ill, Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler speak on the dangers of genocide/ethnic cleansing. Hilary Clinton is the direct opposite of what the Church should be supporting. She is the evil twin of Mother Teresa" (Shrine of Rebellion).

"Rick Warren hosted Hillary Clinton at his Global Summit on AIDS and the Church this past weekend to standing ovations, an indication of Warren’s continued leftward march. Last year’s keynote speaker was Barack Obama. . . . Warren is becoming the new Jerry Falwell, without the passion for the same issues that motivated Jerry: abortion, same-sex marriage, etc." (The God & Culture Blog).

"Pro abortion presidential candidate Hilary Clinton will speak at Rick Warren's 'church' during his global conference on AIDS. . . . The great falling away [from the church] has begun! (Reformation Nation).

Hilary Clinton is a socialist pro-abortionist and there is good evidence that she is a lesbian. What business does she have coming to a church to campaign for her billion dollar spending plan? Why would anyone who calls themselves "Christian" give that un-repentant woman a place of honor in their church? I am so disgusted I can't even see straight!" (A Little Leaven).


Let us deal with the facts. 

First, contrary to what has been circulating around the Internet, Warren did not host Hilary Clinton as if her presence at Saddleback was some sort of tacit endorsement of all her views, her campaign, or her politics. She was there to talk about AIDS because it was an AIDS summit. That is what Warren appreciated, and what he applauded in her presentation.

The same could be said for Barack Obama's appearance at Saddleback in 2006. Warren has never endorsed everything for which Obama stands. He invited the presidential candidate to speak at Saddleback during a conference on AIDS.  The conference had nothing to do with abortion, or any other political, spiritual, legal, ethical, or moral issue. Speakers from all over the world were invited. Obama was one of them. His appearance at the AIDS conference was Warren's way of supporting everything Obama stands for.

Second, getting back to Hilary Clinton's appearance, ALL of the presidential candidates were invited to Saddleback for the 2007 AIDS conference. ALL OF THEM WERE INVITED—but Hilary was the only one who showed up. This is common knowledge that appeared in countless news articles, including one story from a less than Warren-friendly source, which revealed that Warren, "before introducing Clinton, [stated] that all of the leading presidential candidates, both Democrat and Republican, were invited to come and speak. Democrats Barack Obama (whose appearance at last year's summit drew controversy) and John Edwards sent taped messages addressed to the summit, as did Republicans John McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee" (World NetDaily). So, if any of Warren's critics want to blame someone for Hilary Clinton's solo appearance at Saddleback, they should blame the other candidates who didn't show up, including professing Christian candidates Mike Huckabee (former Baptist pastor) and Senator John Edwards.

Third, with regard to non-AIDS related issues about which Christians are concerned (e.g.,  abortion, same-sex marriage, homosexuality, etc.), Warren views them with a traditional, Southern Baptist, biblical eye. He has not chosen to get involved with these issues, however, which is his freedom as an American citizen. As an American and a Christian, he has this right to choose which social issues he engages. Unfortunately, too many Christians are unwilling to grant Warren that right. Instead, they have condemned him for: a) not choosing to engages the social issues that they see as the most important ones for all Christians to engage; and b) associating with political candidates whom they feel should not be given ANY measure of credibility, no matter what the issue. Neither of these reasons for condemning Warren are biblically based, nor are they consistent with the freedoms that all Americans are guaranteed by the laws of the land.