Thoughts On the Civil Forum

On Saturday, I attended the Saddleback Civil Forum. It was an energizing evening and a once in a lifetime opportunity to watch both presidential candidates on the same stage. Rick Warren was the moderator and posed questions related to leadership, faith, worldview, and character. Each candidate was interviewed separately by Warren and the order was decided by a coin toss. Here is how I interpreted the responses from each candidate:

Obama

• Overall, Obama's performance was solid. He appeared comfortable talking about his faith in Jesus and his shortcomings in his early adult years. Compared to previous Democratic nominees Obama is attempting to break the mold. However, that might worry many secular-progressive democrats.
• Perhaps Obama's biggest mistake was his definition of human conception. He stated, "Its above my pay-grade." I felt that was a very weak response and will hurt him with the evangelical vote. This apparently a grey area for him...and he waffled on this question.
• Obama affirmed that marriage is between a man and a woman. 
• Obama's loose references to scripture citing "thinking of the least of these..." to give him the basis for his massive social agenda (socialized medicine, wealth redistribution).  However, I believe that is a distortion of scripture to apply concepts intended to the individual to the state.
• Biggest surprise: throwing Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas under the bus. Clarence Thomas is the only african-american justice in the Supreme Court. 
• Biggest mistake: his definition of human life. 

McCain

• I felt that John McCain outperformed Senator Obama and provided a unmistakably clear contrast between the two.
• McCain's style was direct and unequivocal. 
• On abortion: human rights begin "at the moment of conception."
• On gay marriage: it is a sacred bond between a man and woman. 
• He took full advantage to discuss the conflict in Georgia, the need for offshore drilling, activist judges, national security, and the need to keep taxes low. 
• Often, McCain mentioned his time as a POW during the Vietnam War and how that experience shaped his faith and his character
• Biggest surprise: citing that the failure of his first marriage as his worst moral mistake
• Biggest mistake: his definition of "rich"

After watching the debate twice, I believe that McCain ruled the night. Speaking in front of a crowd that was more receptive to his ideas allowed him to settle in and showcase his personality. For someone who has not had the coziest relationship with the evangelical community, McCain took a giant step forward to strengthen the Republican base. Obama, on the other hand appeared uneasy on questions such as the Supreme Court and abortion. He was at times indirect and lacked definitiveness in his responses. 

With the 2008 campaign a statistical tie, both candidates will be engaged in a dogfight for every vote. Warren's vision to achieve civility may have been fulfilled for at least one night in the summer of '08. But I wonder if this forum will be remembered as the last moment where both candidates and the nation were one. 

Saddleback Civil Forum

On Saturday, Saddleback Church will be ground zero in the 2008 Presidential Campaign. Pastor Rick Warren will moderate a question and answer session with Barack Obama and John McCain. The event will be televised nationwide and will be a pivotal moment for both campaigns and Saddleback Church.

I am very curious and excited to watch this event. Warren has often invited politicians to his church but this will be the first time that the entire nation will witness a pastor interview both Presidential candidates. In 2006, I attended Saddleback's World Summit on AIDS where Kansas Senator (R) Sam Brownback and Illinois Senator Barack O'bama spoke before a packed house. Alining himself with both sides, Warren is in an interesting and powerful position. I think everyone is anxious to evaluate the quality and merit of the questions that will be posed to McCain and Obama. Will the questions have substance or will they be softball topics that both candidates can spin to their own advantage?

Everyone will have something at stake. For the candidates, it will be a golden opportunity to appeal to the evangelical voters and traditional-value Americans. For Warren, it will be his chance to advocate his vision and social gospel known as the "PEACE Plan" to the nation at large.

With that said, my DVR is set. I am encouraging all my friends to watch with an open mind but to think critically about both candidates and their vision for the nation.

AIDS Experience

Last night, was able to visit the "World Vision Experience: AIDS" exhibit. It was staged at Saddleback Church in conjunction with the church's Worldwide AIDS Summit which kicks off tomorrow. Each person is given an ipod shuffle and is led on a journey through the lives of real individuals living with or affected by AIDS. The exhibit has multiple story-lines and everyone embarks on a different journey. My tour was of a Kenyan Boy named Kombo. Living with AIDS, each stage of the experience gives some small insight into his daily life. Near the end of the exhibit everyone congregates into a room designed as a clinic. Each person is told to get their hand stamped to learn their fate. My stamp was a bright red "+"

In most industrialized nations, AIDS is still a major problem but with new medicines, people are living longer lives. However, in Africa this is not the case and millions of men, women, and children die every year. Its a sad reality. Often the biggest culprit is unsafe sex or drug abuse. AIDS is in many ways, a preventable disease but it is filled with many cultural barriers, especially in Africa.

Over 15 years ago, a very close relative of mine died of AIDS. I still remember visiting him when he was sick. At the time, I did not know what disease he had, I just knew he was sick. A few years later, my parents told me the cause of his death and his circumstances. Since he opted for hospice care, we were able to visit frequently during his illness. I will never forget the stench of the ointments to sooth his wounds and I hope I never do...Near the end of his life, he accepted Christ into his life and I have no doubt that he will be in Heaven one day. Even though, I am sad he is no longer with us, I am glad he is in a better place where there is no pain.

Even though Saddleback receives a lot of criticism for hosting an AIDS conference, I feel that it is vital that the Christian community stands against this disease. We in America have been given so much with regards to technology, money, and influence. In my mind, it is a greater sin to ignore the beggar on the side of the street who is pleading for help. Ignorance is not bliss...IT'S TIME TO WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

World Vision Experience:AIDS
World Aids Summit