Pastor Louie Giglio was slated to give the benediction at the President’s upcoming inauguration. However, as Giglio’s appearance on the program gained publicity, critics began circulating a sermon the pastor delivered some years ago in which he spoke against gay activists trying to make the homosexual lifestyle “a norm in our society.”
Pastor Giglio initially accepted the invitation to give the benediction, but later withdrew that acceptance, not wanting his prayer to be “dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration.”
Adding insult to injury, the President’s inaugural committee reportedly released a statement, saying,
We were not aware of Pastor Giglio’s past comments at the time of his selection and they don’t reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this Inaugural. Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans.
As some have pointed out, this is a far cry from four years ago, when, despite criticism from gay groups, President Obama reached out to conservative ministers like Rick Warren, who are equally opposed to same-sex marriage and homosexuality.
