Thursday, January 10, 2013

Louie Giglio Withdraws From Obama Inaugural Ceremony Over Anti-Gay Comments


Pastor Louie Giglio has withdrawn from participating in President Barack Obama's second inauguration.
The Presidential Inaugural Committee on Wednesday announced Giglio had been selected to deliver the benediction.
The selection was criticized by ThinkProgress.com, which reported that in a mid-1990s sermon Giglio, of the Georgia-based Passion City Church, advocated for therapies which claim to “cure” gay people's sexual orientation and called on Christians to prevent the “homosexual lifestyle” from becoming accepted in society.

Louie Giglio withdrew on his own from the inaugural ceremony,” CNN's Eric Marrrapodi tweeted on Thursday.
In a statement, Giglio noted that the brewing controversy would likely overshadow his participation.
“Due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ.”
“Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President’s invitation. I will continue to pray regularly for the President, and urge the nation to do so. I will most certainly pray for him on Inauguration Day. Our nation is deeply divided and hurting, and more than ever need God’s grace and mercy in our time of need.”
“The issue of homosexuality (which a particular message of mine some 20 years ago addressed) is one of the most difficult our nation will navigate. However, individuals' rights of freedom, and the collective right to hold differing views on any subject is a critical balance we, as a people, must recover and preserve.”

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