The Inauguration of Barack Obama has become something of a faith-a-thon. We've had controversies about Rev. Rick Warren and Bishop Gene Robinson. This morning, the Obamas attended a worship service where Bishop T.D. Jakes spoke.
Tomorrow, at the National Prayer Service, the Obamas, Congress and the Supreme Court will attend a service featuring an all-star lineup of religious leaders, including Hoosier Rev. Sharon E. Watkins of the Indianapolis-based Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Ingrid Mattson, president of the Plainfield-based Islamic Society of North America.
Some secularists have complained that the affair has become too dominated by religion and that it is unhealthy for a secular government to have such a deeply religious flavor.
But it is also true that such exhibitions of faith have been a part of inaugurations from the beginning, since George Washington added the words "So help me God" to the Oath of Office.
So of all the faith leaders in the proceedings, who are your favorites?
Here are some of the participants:
--Bishop T.D. Jakes, The Potters House
--Rev. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church and Purpose Driven fame
--Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, civil rights leaderâ¨
--Rev. Sharon E. Watkins, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Hoosier
--Dr. Ingrid Mattson, President of the Islamic Society of North America
--Rev. Suzan Johnson-Cook, Bronx Christian Fellowship, NY
--Rabbi Jerome Epstein, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, NYC
--Dr. Uma Mysorekar, Hindu Temple Society of North America
--Rev. Jim Wallis, Sojourners
--Rabbi Haskal Lookstein, Congregation Kehilath Jeshurunm
--Pastor Kirbyjon Caldwell, Windsor Village United Methodist Church, Houston
--Rev. Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, D.C.
--Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Schori, Episcopal Church USA
--Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, Reformed Church of America