Tracy's thoughts

There has been a recent stir in the evangelical world about Rick Warren's invite of Senator Barack Obama to participate in an international HIV/AIDS conference at Warren's church (http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/Events/AIDS/Overview.htm). The rub is basically that Senator Obama supports abortion rights, so how could a good Bible-believing church invite him to participate in a conference on AIDS, which is essentially an effort to try and organize efforts to save lives? Inviting someone with abortion rights views seems contradictory in nature -- you know, abortion kills babies vs. saving lives affected by AIDS.

Personally, I like the bridges being built. However, the controversy saddens me because the focus is taken off of helping those suffering with a terrible disease and placed on an "us vs. them" debate -- among family members no less! And this internal debate is what our culture sees and hears and, subsequently, reinforces negative perspectives of Christians. Arrrrrrgggghhh!!! Why is it so hard to focus on what the real issue is here? It seems to me that if Senator Obama's views, experience, and influence can help bring awareness to an ugly issue that we as Christians have an obligation to address, why is that so wrong? Why can't we say something like, "Cool, how can I help in my own little part of the world?" and let God work on Obama (like He is working on me). I know I need to improve my own attitude about the AIDS situation.

By the way, a debate like this brings up all kinds of issues with which we should wrestle. For example, should we only engage in strategy conversations with those who believe everything exactly as we do (btw, good luck trying to find someone like that)? Do we have to endorse every position a person takes in order to discuss ways to love our neighbors from a Christian point of view? Are there issues we should not bend on? Are there issues we should bend on? Who gets to decide?

I know what I believe on this type of a subject has changed over the years. Dare I ask what you all believe on this subject?

Would we at Grace invite Obama?