Evangelist Franklin Graham knows a thing or two about getting flack for praying at an inauguration. He took heat after praying in Jesus’s name at President Bush’s inauguration in 2001. I just spoke with Franklin Graham, who gave his take on Obama’s decision to ask megachurch pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. We have also compiled our coverage of Warren over the years in a special section.
Here are some highlights from the interview:
[Obama] is including evangelicals at his inauguration, but I don’t know if he’ll include them in his administration. Time will tell. But Rick Warren will have Obama’s ear on important issues.
Does Warren’s acceptance of the invitation give an implicit nod to Obama’s administration?
For anybody to be upset at Rick Warren for offering a prayer to almighty God, asking God to give wisdom and guidance to the Obama administration, is ludicrous.
Should Rick Warren pray in the name of Jesus at the inaugural?
I would hope he does because he’s a minister of the gospel. There’s no other way to pray. A Muslim should not be offended. [Warren] has no other way to pray than in the name of Christ. No one should be offended, because Rick Warren should be who Rick Warren is, and that’s a minister of Jesus Christ.
I know you said a month ago that your father would not be serving as a spiritual adviser to Barack Obama.
He’s 90 years old. He’s just happy to get up in the morning.
Do you have any advice for Rick Warren?
My advice to Rick is to stay true to your convictions, and don’t back up one step. I don’t think he will. When you have the far left and the gay advocates mad at you, you must be doing something right.
