Pastor Rick Warren prays alongside Mayor Villaraigosa

Evangelical minister Rick Warren brought a message of unity and civility to more than 1,000 people who attended the annual Los Angeles Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast today, avoiding mention of his outspoken opposition to gay marriage and abortion rights.

Warren, pastor of Orange County’s Saddleback Church and author of the best-selling “A Purpose-Driven Life,” acknowledged that “sometimes I’m a little controversial.” But as in his recent invocation at President Barack Obama’s inauguration, he preached on universal themes of God’s love and service to the poor.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was less circumspect, and acknowledged his support of same-sex marriage and “a woman’s right to choose.” He mentioned that he had performed marriage ceremonies for gay and lesbian couples.

Warren was a strong supporter of California’s Proposition 8, the recently approved ballot measure outlawing same-sex marriage in the state.

“We won’t always agree,” Villaraigosa told the audience gathered at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel  downtown. “But we can agree on basic civil rights. We may not agree on Roe vs. Wade, but we both want to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortion.”

Before the breakfast began, Warren worked the crowd in the giant ballroom, shaking hands and hugging guests at more than a dozen tables. “I love the way he prays,” said Rumania Urbina, a retired teacher and immigrant from Venezuela. “It feels wonderful.”

Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich, a Republican, praised Warren as “a pastor who believes in traditional marriage” and congratulated Los Angeles officials for having “the courage to say no to political correctness” and welcoming a speaker who is “not ashamed of his savior Jesus Christ.”

--Margot Roosevelt

Comments

[Francisco Cardenas]

So, does Supervisor Mike Antonovich think that civil rights is "political correctness"? I am really so over Christians thinking their religious dogma should be our civil law. I will never support Antonovich again and I am only give 50% of what I would have given to the Mayor since he had Warren speak at this event. The Mayor was wrong, people like Warren don't agree on basic civil rights and obviously Antonovich doesn't either!

[MARIO]

The mayor has been on the wrong side of a lot of issues, civil rights being one, Americans civil rights to be represented by their elected officials first and foremost.

He protects illegal immigrants that voilate Americans right to be protected by the law.

He sponsors a polulation that competes with Americans on every issue, after taking an oath to protect American interest above all else.

He supports abortion, not because he cares, but because of his political agenda.

He performed marriage for gay and lesbian couples, when he understand that the majority of Californians, and Americans were against it.

He wrecked his marriage, well you already know the story.

He has not changed anything for our schools, traffic congestion, crime, etc etc etc. gang injunctions are not enough, many cities in his county are still plagued with hard heads that kill each other, and the racially charged gang uprising is in almost every neighborhood.

Our jails are overcrowded, just as our schools are, and he cant get past his agenda enough to really address the problems.

He should stay under Pastor Warran's wing, because he needs constant prayer, and laying on of hands, because any man that cant stand on his oath, will kneel to his confusion.

DO THE RIGHT THING MR. MAYOR, PROTECT YOUR CONSTITUANTS OR SINK THEM

[Amy]

There is so much wrong with this, I hardly know where to begin. Perhaps with the fundamental issue that the government shouldn't be having a "prayer breakfast" to begin with.

Setting that aside, why do progressives keep giving a forum to Rick Warren in a misguided effort to appeal to evangelicals? A "message of unity and civility"? Sure, unless you are gay, since Warren not only opposes gay marriage but has compared it to incest and pedophilia. Or a woman, since Warren tells women to defer to their husbands even when they are wrong and compares those who choose to terminate a pregnancy to Nazis. Or a Jew, since Warren believes they will go to hell. Or a member of the reality-based community, since Warren denies evolution and believes that dinosaurs and humans coexisted.

And, by the way, Mr. Mayor, "basic civil rights" includes the right to control one's own body. Perhaps you should put down your bible and pick up the Constitution.

[sonica]

a bigot is a bigot...this was obviously a ploy for mayoral votes by Villaraigosa...shame on him!!

[mandy]

The mayor plans to be governor. He just lost my vote providing a forum for the anti-gay, anti-woman Warren. Shame on the Mayor.

[David]

I was not impressed by Rev Warrens A Purpose Driven Life.I was very impressed by A Reason Driven Life by Dr.Robert M.Price.This is a book that should be read by all believers as well as non believers.

[David]

I'm glad I moved out of LA.

[savvydude]

What a bunch of drivel. Libs will never accept anybody who isn't pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-illegal immigrant or anti-traditional. The mayor is showing character and openness, which is something the left cannot tolerate.

[Ryan Allan]

It's obvious that Mayor Villaraigosa is using Rick Warren for political gain. Why else would he invite Rick, who never mentions anything about gay marriage/abortion, and then proceed to tell the audience that he is in support of gay marriage and abortion. Can't a prayer breakfast be simply a prayer breakfast?

[Omar S.]

This is regarding Francisco Cardenas' post... So the Mayor invites Warren to his breakfast and he'll only get 50%, while Antonovich, on the other hand, only commented and you plan on giving him 0%??? If I understand your theory correctly, President Obama, and since he was first to bring Warren to the forefront of American politics, must have received 200% of your support...

Whether Antonovich believes civil rights ARE political correctness or not is far from being the issue here. This event is not part of anyone's political campaign nor is it a venue for politicians to affiliate or distance themselves from matters that have already been decided (i.e. Prop 8). This event is called Los Angeles mayor's Prayer Breakfast and it's about praying for the future... Not harping on the past.

I do not agree with 100% of Antonovich's political, legal, social or economic stances, howver, I still have to give him a huge amount of credit for some of what he's done for the diverse community that is part of his district.

At any rate, Antonovich has enough supporters if and when the time comes and it is my understanding that Villaraigosa is running unopposed for his next term. Too bad your attempt to influence BOTH, civil rights opinions AND political correctness affiliations have miserably failed.

[Jay]

GOD HELP AMERICA, AND HER PEOPLE!

[steve rodriguez]

Rick Warren for Mayor!!!!!!!!!!!!