Turn Back Hate

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We the undersigned declare our intent to turn our backs on Pastor Rick Warren during the Inauguration ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama on January 20th, 2009. While we support the Obama message of change, hope, and national unity, Pastor Warren embodies a politics that divides, degrades, and insults ordinary, patriotic Americans.

President-elect Barack Obama recently invited Pastor Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California to deliver the invocation at the Inaugural ceremony. Although the United States was founded on a principle that separates church and state, the delivery of the invocation at the Inaugural ceremony is an historic tradition that honors the spiritual growth and progress of this great nation. As such, the religious and spiritual values of the person chosen to deliver this invocation are of great symbolic significance.

While the beliefs espoused by Pastor Warren are far outside the mainstream of American opinion, what we find most offensive are the means he has used to express those beliefs. Through his words and deeds, Pastor Warren has repeatedly and unapologetically insulted, demeaned, and belittled members of the gay and lesbian community, women, Jews, Holocaust victims, and many other ordinary Americans who disagree with his point of view. We respect the right of any religious leader to dissent and to preach their views to their congregation, but we oppose the hateful rhetoric that has been so hurtful to so many people.

We reject the notion that a minister of hate should be offered a national platform to represent the spiritual progress of the nation. All we ask is that our leaders, both religious and political, treat ordinary Americans with the same respect, dignity, decency, and compassion that they themselves expect.

We the undersigned are committed to a new kind of politics, the kind of politics President-elect Barack Obama envisioned in his campaign: a politics that treats every human being with dignity and respect no matter their gender, race, religion, income, sexual orientation, disability, gender-identity, or political viewpoint. In turning our backs on Pastor Warren, we hope to send a message to our leaders that we are ONE nation, ONE people, and that we refuse to tolerate individuals and leaders whose message is one of hate, fear, division, and intolerance.

President-elect Obama demonstrated profound courage, vision, and wisdom by campaigning on a message of unity, dignity, and tolerance. We agree with that message and strongly support President-elect Obama. We hope that he will choose an individual to deliver the invocation who has demonstrated a deep and abiding religious commitment to the principles of dignity and respect, principles that are shared by Americans of all faiths or of no faith.

Whether you are watching the Inauguration on television or online, listening on the radio, or attending the ceremony on the Mall, we the undersigned ask you to join us in turning our backs on hate by silently and non-disruptively turning away from Pastor Rick Warren as he delivers the invocation at the January 20th, 2009 Inaugural ceremony.

99 Signatures

  • David Rosen
    • Address
    • 931 O Street NW
    • Zip Code
    • 20001
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Jess Radack
    • Address
    • 4813 45th St., N.W.
    • Zip Code
    • 20016
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Lee McDaniel
    • Address
    • 5914 Old 60 Dr, Neosho, MO
    • Zip Code
    • 64850
    • Phone Number
    • 417-622-7821
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Brandon Plott
    • Address
    • PO BOX 1003, Arma, KS
    • Zip Code
    • 66712
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Karl Mumma
    • Address
    • 208 Bank Barn Lane, Lancaster, PA
    • Zip Code
    • 17602
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Michael Cook
    • Address
    • 1820 West 30th Street, Apt 104
    • Zip Code
    • 64804
    • Phone Number
    • 417-622-0529
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Adora
    • Address
    • 470 21st Ave. Apt. 2
    • Zip Code
    • 94121
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Michael R. Freeman
    • Address
    • 209 W. Canton St. #1
    • Zip Code
    • 02116
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Sue Fritz
    • Address
    • P.O. Box 3107 Show Low Arizona
    • Zip Code
    • 85902
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Rebecca Allen
    • Address
    • 8500 Woodbury Rd.
    • Zip Code
    • 48848
    • Phone Number
    • 517-651-5128
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • La Shawn Boston
    • Address
    • 901 New Jersey Avenue, NW #212 Washington, DC
    • Zip Code
    • 20001
    • Phone Number
    • 202-621-7015
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • charles cook
    • Address
    • 4121 el campo
    • Zip Code
    • 76107
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Shanna Devine
    • Address
    • 3636 16th St NW WDC
    • Zip Code
    • 20010
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Daniel Boyer, Jr.
    • Address
    • 528 S Jackson Ave
    • Zip Code
    • 64801
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Resa Harrison
    • Address
    • 3753 Elm Bottom Circle
    • Zip Code
    • 76227
    • Phone Number
    • 940 382-1029
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Dave Abston
    • Address
    • 1021 Capitol
    • Zip Code
    • 94590
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Kevin Dunlap Simmons
    • Address
    • 1401 West Wabansia Ave. Chicago, IL
    • Zip Code
    • 60642
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Rose T. DeGray
    • Address
    • 3721 S. Bradley Ave, Springfield, MO.
    • Zip Code
    • 65804
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Larissa McGeer
    • Address
    • 717 Hampshire st San Francisco, CA
    • Zip Code
    • 94110
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Philip J. Tiettmeyer
    • Address
    • 1912 Wilaray Ter
    • Zip Code
    • 45230
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Gary L Stewart
    • Address
    • Kellerton IA
    • Zip Code
    • 50133
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Michael W. Folsom
    • Address
    • 322 Tulane Dr., SE
    • Zip Code
    • 87106
    • Phone Number
    • 505-710-7425
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Franco Bertacci
    • Address
    • 916 NE 16th Ave, Ft Lauderdale, Fl
    • Zip Code
    • 33304
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Gerard T Priori
    • Address
    • 51 Beaumont Drive
    • Zip Code
    • 11803
    • Phone Number
    • В
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • James A Clark Jr
    • Address
    • 4483 North Vinewood Avenue, Indianapolis, IN
    • Zip Code
    • 46254
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • LInda Cloutier
    • Address
    • 24 Bristol Avenue, Pawtucket, RI
    • Zip Code
    • 02861
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Scott Johnson
    • Address
    • 4593 S. 124th Street
    • Zip Code
    • 53151
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Robb Little
    • Address
    • 1161 Devonshire W Dr Apt A Greenwood, IN
    • Zip Code
    • 46143
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Mark Lenartowick
    • Address
    • 31878 Del Obispo #118
    • Zip Code
    • 92675
    • Phone Number
    • В
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Joshua Thacker
    • Address
    • 43 Contrary Hollow
    • Zip Code
    • 41537
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Morgan Stead
    • Address
    • 2405 Cookshiremoe rd.
    • Zip Code
    • 27604
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • K. Wickersham
    • Address
    • private
    • Zip Code
    • 23229
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Julie Anderson
    • Address
    • 6881 E. Kallin Way
    • Zip Code
    • 90815
    • Phone Number
    • 562-431-2728
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Shelley Walden
    • Address
    • 221 E St, NE
    • Zip Code
    • 20002
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Robert F Hamlin
    • Address
    • 1114 E 34th St, Joplin, MO
    • Zip Code
    • 64804
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Deborah Pursifull
    • Address
    • 5905 404th Ave SE, Snoqualmie, WA
    • Zip Code
    • 98065
    • Phone Number
    • (425) 677-4160
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Merlin McCool
    • Address
    • 2101 West 4th St Lot 3
    • Zip Code
    • 66762
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Ron Ritchhart
    • Address
    • 517 Acequia Madre
    • Zip Code
    • 87505
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Christine Etana
    • Address
    • 27272 Principe, Mission Viejo, Ca
    • Zip Code
    • 92692
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Jonathon Popphan
    • Address
    • 103 Country Park DriveSE
    • Zip Code
    • 30080
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Mike Jones
    • Address
    • 19009 sherman way rededa ca 91335
    • Zip Code
    • 91335
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Jay Hill
    • Address
    • 814 Southeast Circle NW
    • Zip Code
    • 87104
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Jane Grant
    • Address
    • East 22nd Street NY NY
    • Zip Code
    • 10010
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Jennifer Hinchey
    • Address
    • 221 Tornasol Lane NE
    • Zip Code
    • 87113
    • Phone Number
    • 202 276 6348
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • David Card
    • Address
    • 1349 Duende Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 90272
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Randy Bailey
    • Address
    • HC 1 Box 1438
    • Zip Code
    • 63966
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Jerry Kott
    • Address
    • 2230 Nursery Lane
    • Zip Code
    • 18055
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • James Reese
    • Address
    • 1624 19th St., NW, Washington, DC
    • Zip Code
    • 20009
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Dennis Edwards
    • Address
    • 10 Lyon St.
    • Zip Code
    • 94117
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No
  • Bob Crispen
    • Address
    • 1308 Runnymead Ave SW Decatur AL
    • Zip Code
    • 35601
    • Phone Number
    • 256-355-9319
    • Do you plan on attending the inauguration in person?
    • No