It is interesting to me that President-elect Obama has, at least from a spiritual point of view, decided to be president of everyone. He has selected conservative Baptist Preacher, Rick Warren, who is outspoken against gay rights to give the invocation at his inaugration. Liberals and gays were outraged. Then, obama selected openly gay Episcopal bishop, Gene Robinson, to lead a prayer at the Lincoln Memorial for the Inaugural kick-off concert. Conservatives gnashed their teeth. Next Obama selected the Protestant Rev. Sharon Watkins, to deliver the sermon at the National Prayer Service. Finally, Obama has selected the Muslim Islamic Society's leader, Ingrid Mattson, and three rabbis to offer prayers at other inaugural events.
I suppose Obama might have tried to work a Buddhist into the mix, but otherwise he seems to have covered most of the world's major religions. What does all this say about the role religion will take in an Obama government? First, let's note that Obama is a spiritual person. He was the first Democrat, in my memory (with the possible exception of Jimmy Carter) to speak openly about his faith. During his campaign he reached out to religious voters even more than his Republican opponent, John McCain.
This Inaugural, with its religious diversity, is a new beginning for the Democratic Party, which seems to have found a religious voice, under the leadership of Barack Obama. However, Americans have been frustrated by the dominance of the Christian right, in Republican politics, particularly under the leadership of George W. Bush. This new spiritual voice which seems to embrace every religion should be a breath of fresh air to many who are tired of the bullying tactics of the conservative religious right. Obama's choices for his inauguration seem to be announcing a sense of balance in influence religion might have on the affairs of our government.