The invocation: Rick Warren

Much ado about nothing? After Rev. Rick Warren delivered the invocation this morning, the reaction to his prayer has been muted, if not silent.

No fireworks, no controversial statements:

Warren's prayer invoked the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. and asked that Americans remember they are united by a commitment to freedom and justice for all.

Obama sparked a firestorm when he tapped the evangelical pastor. The Saddleback Church founder supported Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California, and has made controversial statements about gay relationships.

Obama defended his choice of Warren to the AP:

"During the course of the entire inaugural festivities, there are going to be a wide range of viewpoints that are presented. And that's how it should be, because that's what America's about. That's part of the magic of this country ... we are diverse and noisy and opinionated."

Rep. Barney Frank, the longest-serving openly gay member of Congress made his displeasure clear with Obama's pick:

"If he was inviting the Rev. Warren to participate in a forum and to make a speech, that would be a good thing," Frank said. "But being singled out to give the prayer at the inauguration is a high honor. It has traditionally given as a mark of great respect. And, yes, I think it was wrong to single him out for this mark of respect."

It's not just gay-rights activists who are incensed with Warren. For years, fellow evangelicals have criticized him for not being conservative enough. AP explains why he has come under attack from his own flock:

He has spoken out against the use of torture to combat terrorism. He has joined the fight against global warming and, encouraged by his wife, has put his prestige and money behind helping people with AIDS. The Warrens have done so at a time when a notable number of conservative Christians still consider the virus a punishment from God.

On Monday, Warren gave the keynote address at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, on what would have been Martin Luther King Jr.'s 80th birthday:

"Martin Luther King was a mighty tool in the hand of God. But God isn't through. Justice is a journey and we're getting further and further along."



- Lili Ladaga