Louie Giglio and How the White House Spells Diversity

The Rev. Louie Giglio, who was once invited to deliver the benediction at the upcoming U.S. presidential inaugural, has withdrawn. The ruckus was over what the minister said to his congregation fifteen years ago.

If you want to hear God's voice, that is his voice to this issue of homosexuality. It is not ambiguous and unclear. It is very clear. If you look at the counsel of the word of God, Old Testament, New Testament, you come quickly to the conclusion that homosexuality is not an alternate lifestyle. . . . is not just a sexual preference, homosexuality is not gay, but homosexuality is sin. It is sin in the eyes of God, and it is sin according to the word of God.

The White House was pressed to reconsider, and in conversations with the pastor, the record shows he decided not to offer the prayer. The White House's response to his decision was, "Choosing an affirming and fair-minded voice as his replacement would be in keeping with the tone the president wants to set for his inaugural."

Regardless of the internal process, or conversations between the two, this issue goes to the heart of our society. Giglio was pressured to withdraw because his views on a particular sexual practice were not in line; he was seen not to be "fair-minded," a not surprising comment when pluralism is set aside as the functioning model of public life. Read more

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