Jim Wallis Should Be Invited To Give The Benediction At The Inauguration!

[pamela]

I will never understand why this administration doesn't invite Jim Wallis to speak whenever they need a religious leader. Wallis articulates the beliefs of the Christian Left better than just about anyone. From his organization and website, Sojourners, to his many books, Wallis reminds Christians that Jesus spoke for the poor and called his followers to fight for social justice.

I would love to see Wallis become better known in America instead of all the rightwing, fake Christians who preach archaic, obscure, old testament teachings and completely ignore the teachings of Jesus. I was certain he would be invited to speak at the first inauguration and cannot believe, after the backlash over Warren, that he wasn't invited this time. Come on inauguration committee, this is a no-brainer!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Wallis

[patrice]

1. I respect Jim Wallis and I think he's the real thing, not just reacting to a market. nt

[northoftheborder]

5. Yes, he would be great!

[We People]

9. I agree Pamela, Patrice, and northoftheborder. I've been aware of Wallis and Sojourners

for at least 30 years and followed their work on behalf of the poor in DC. He has spoken up, marched, and written on behalf of poor people for decades. When I became aware of him (during the Reagan administration) he was critical of public policy that brings about economic inequality and has consistently done so throughout the years.

I know that some on DU would rather skip the benediction and I understand that, but if it is going to be happening, Jim Wallis would be very appropriate, especially since he is already a spiritual advisor to Barack Obama.

It was very interesting to read that "Wallis is married to the Rev. Joy Carroll, upon whom the title character in the BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley was partially based"!

[northoftheborder]

10. I didn't know of his being advisor for Obama, neat. Why does he not ask him to benedictions, etc..?

[We People]

11. Not sure, but he probably has several and doesn't want to have to pick just one. nt

[pamela]

13. Thanks, We People.

I have given my father several of Jim's books and he really enjoyed them. My parents are devout Christians and I always worry that they will get sucked into the rightwing religious propaganda that so many churchgoers seem to get exposed to these days. They're pretty cool, though. They both voted for Obama both times and I know they get a lot of flack for that from some of their church friends.

It's really sad that so many religious people have bought into the Republican propaganda. I remember in the late sixties how most members of our church would have been embarrassed to admit they voted Repub. Between civil rights and poverty, it was just a given that the Democratic Party was the only choice for anyone following the teachings of Jesus. It frustrates me that Dems don't try to articulate the values of the Christian left. I think Obama tries to "prove" he is a Christian by cozying up to the rightwing religious leaders when he should be promoting folks like Jim Wallis.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Why not someone who is accepting of all people without reservations of any kind?

Always the 'against others' types. What happened to the 'help others' types?

[pamela]

12. Jim Wallis is the "help others" type.

I've never heard him speak against anyone. He just concentrates his efforts on the poor and really "walks the walk."

[greyl]

15. Squint your ears and listen closer.

He is against marriage equality.

[SidDithers]

3. How 'bout skipping the benediction altogether?...nt

Sid

[sadbear]

4. +1

It would be a small start (which would outrage, OUTRAGE I tells ya, EVERY right-wing talking head.)

[leftstreet]

6. How 'bout a Wall Street CEO?

[SidDithers]

8. Why would you want a Wall Street CEO?...nt

Sid

[Ganja Ninja]

7. I have an idea.

How about we skip the ancient superstition altogether.

[greyl]

14. False. He's a homophobic jackass. nt