Rick Warren
Uploaded by digitalpotato on 2 Jul 08, 8.15AM PDT.

Reverend Rick Warren, the author of the famous Chrisitian book, The Purpose Driven Life, headed one of the most popular interviews this election year with not only evangelicals, but also the rest of the world watching and paying absolute close attention to the responses of the candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, who are in a race for the presidency.
                                                                                                                           

Now, to begin with for those who have not yet heard of Rick Warren, he is the pastor of the mega church in California and as stated earlier wrote the best seller, The Purpose Driven Life, which shows and proves that everyone on the face of the earth was placed here on the earth for a purpose by God Almighty and the best way to know why you are here is to even ask the Creator, God.  For more on his book, the pastor and his church, click here.

Now Rick Warren has stated that he won't endorse any candidate, but only wants his following to decide for themselves.  In an interview with CNN, Rick Warren also stated that "I think that for many evangelicals, they're not convinced that either of these men is an evangelical. They may be believers in Christ, they may be Christian, but they want to know, for instance, their worldview. And they want to hear it out."

This is what America has found out today.  Obama and McCain showed how they differ in a face of on their basic religious beliefs and how they see things.  Pastor Rick Warren was not at all shaky about his questions but asked them directly in front of a chuch full of voters. 

In the beginning, Rick Warren pointed out that "There is a seperation of church and state, however, he doesn't believe in the seperation of faith and politics"  From there, he went on to call Senator Barack Obama to be questioned first.  Coming out smiling and waving, Barack Obama walks onto the stage and the interview began. 

LISTENING

The first question had to do with listening.  The question was "Who are the three wisest people you know in your life and who will you rely on?"

Obama answered with mostly sticking from within his family by referring to his wife, Michelle, for being wise and honest a person.  Then he referred to his grandmother, who in general terms was a very hard worker and successful, despite her not being college educated.  For the third, there was more than one that Obama would look to for policies and governmental issues, one such being Tim Kennedy.  What Obama would perfer to have is basically an open forum where many people could be represented and sit at a table so that he could listen to every side and come to a conclusion from the different perspectives.

McCain answered this same question with diff military/governmental figures such as number one General David Betrayes, John Lewis and Meg Whitman, who is the CEO of Ebay.  He believes that they are all very influential in American lives as they have contributed much to society unselfishly.


MORAL FAILURE

Then there was the question of moral failure, what is their worst moral failure? 

Obama responded with an issue from his past where he experimented with drugs and drinking which he did out of selfishness until he learned "It's not about me".  When his whole mentality changed, this is when all that changed for the better. 

McCain responded with his worst moral failure being him failing at his first marriage.  He didn't mention what it was that he had done, however, there was probably no need.



WORLD VIEW

What does it mean for you to trust Jesus Christ on a daily basis?

Obama answered:  "That He died for my sins and I am redeemed because of this"  Also, he believes that he has an "obligation to embrace not just words, but deeds.  It means acting justly...loving mercy."

McCain answered in the like with "I am saved and forgiven."


DEFINE MARRIAGE

Obama responded as well as McCain the same in that they both believe that marriage is a union between a man and a woman.  Obama went on to explain that because he is a Christian that it is a sacred union and McCain believes in the preservation of marriage being a union between one man and one woman.  They both believe that is a state decision and do believe in the rights of two people to enter into agreements.

                                                                  
ABORTION

As far as abortion, it seemed like a tough question to Obama who stated that it was really above his head and he doesn't know particularly when life begins, however, he does believe in choice to decide  but not because he is pro-abortion but because he believes that women don't take it lightly to do such a thing.  On the other hand, McCain answered directly stating the at the point of conception, that a human being exists and has rights.


There of course were more questions and both candidates got rounds of applause.  It was very civil and respectful an interview and not a debate, therefore, the people could hear clearly what both candidates stand for all the way around because no matter how anyone looks at it, faith and politics do truly go hand in hand.