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Faith

Meet the Reverend Obama Selected to Replace Pastor Louie Giglio at His Inaugural Benediction

Jan. 16, 2013 10:30pm Billy Hallowell

The Rev. Luis Leon of St. Johns Church Will Replace Louie Giglio at Obamas Inauguration

President Barack Obama, center, and his daughter Sasha Obama, right, leave St. John’s Church after services as Rev. Luis Leon, top right, greets faithful Sunday, March 18, 2012, in Washington. Credit: AP

WASHINGTON (TheBlaze/AP) — Just days after furor surrounding Pastor Louie Giglio’s past comments about homosexuality came to light — and his subsequent withdrawal from the inaugural festivities unfolded — President Barack Obama has officially selected a different faith leader participate in the historic event. The pastor of the Episcopal parish known as “the church of the presidents” will give the benediction at Obama’s upcoming inauguration.

The Rev. Luis Leon of St. John’s Church has been chosen for the honor. He replaces Giglio, an Atlanta-based megachurch who withdrew from the ceremony last week after a sermon he gave years ago surfaced in which he condemned gay relationships.

A Presidential Inaugural Committee spokeswoman, Addie Whisenant, had said that the person chosen to give the prayer would reflect the administration’s beliefs — and it appears that pledge has been honored. The Episcopal Church blesses same-sex relationships and elects bishops who live openly with same-gender partners.

Those who take issue with Leon’s selection should consider one important fact: The faith leader also delivered prayers at the 2005 inauguration of President George W. Bush, a Republican. Clearly, Leon has appeal within both parties (or this is at least the case when it comes to inaugural selections). It may be the reverend’s connection to St. John’s though, a church that holds historical meaning, that had made him a viable choice for both parties.

Shelly Giglio and Louie Giglio attend The Georgia GRAMMY Nominee Reception at W Atlanta – Downtown on January 24, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: WireImage for NARAS

Every president since James Madison, including Obama, has attended a service at St. John’s Church, which stands across from the White House on Lafayette Square. Leon is a native of Cuba who came to the United States at age 12.

As stated, Leon’s selection comes after intense controversy following a nearly-20-year-0ld sermon that Giglio, Obama’s original choice for the benediction, once gave. Gay rights groups and progressives, alike, sounded the alarm after the sermon, which was listed on a Christian training web site, went viral and was widely regarded as anti-gay in nature.

The presidential inaugural will be held Monday.

–

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Comments (59)

jungle J
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 9:55am
tell me, what truly sane person this should matter to?

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- Ash_Kiker
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 11:27am
  who gives a rats patooty!
  
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- JGraham III
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:32pm
  So who is surprised by this move by the President? He doesn’t have a clue as to the spiritual authority of any one who is ordained by God. By his past choices of association with so-called “reverends” that should be clear. He is however very concerned about the doctrines and commandments of men; why, apparently he thinks he is one of the few, if not the only one, qualified to make decisions for the American public…
  The problem the President has with the Bible will in the very near future become more apparent to all who have eyes to see. His own accounting to the God so many in his administration deny looms closer. That occasion would be laughable if it weren’t for the far reaching consequences he will likely have to suffer.
  The disappointment in all this is that the original choice should have not recused himself but made the president “disinvite” him in order to further illustrate the president’s real “christian” beliefs.
  
  Report this comment
- iampraying4u
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:38pm
  bathhouse berrys frinds will be glad
  
  Report this comment
- pavepaws
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:23pm
  Yawn
  
  Report this comment
- tootsie roll
  Posted on January 21, 2013 at 7:15pm
  @junglej and ash kiker
  it matters to those of us who love the Lord. Jesus Christ is Lord
  
  Report this comment
Jezreel
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 9:33am
This is what taking God’s name in vain in about. Actions like this when you are not IN HIM and HE is not IN YOU. It is not using words like G-dam.

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Gonzo
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:03am
The doctrines of the Democrat party now have more weight than the doctrines of Christianity.

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- tootsie roll
  Posted on January 21, 2013 at 7:11pm
  For a short time: Until they are made to be Jesus’s footstool. IT will happen and Barry will be on the DOWN ELEVATOR ALONG WITH MOST in the Dem. Party
  
  Report this comment
zoro51
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:53am
no matter whom is chosen its a socialist ploy not real just a PUT ON A SHOW A LIE to appear he prays this socialist is not what america needs nor wants.IMPEACH NOW save america b4 its yet another 4 years of ******** and socialist plots

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- wink1026
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:38pm
  Yea Yea Yea
  
  Report this comment
BehindBlueEyes
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:50am
In Obama’s mind religion is nothing more than another political tool to manipulate people.

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- Gonzo
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 7:44am
  A very accurate assessment of the depth of Obama;s faith. The only reason he joined (didn’t attend much) Rev. Wright’s church was for political advantage in the district.
  
  Report this comment
- OhSuzieQ
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:01am
  Very true, very true indeed.
  
  Report this comment
- Dushman Kush
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 8:02am
  Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by rulers as useful. -Seneca (ca. 4BC – AD65)
  
  Report this comment
RightUnite
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:44am
Oh, I guess all you have to be is a person of color to get ANY position with this P.O.S.

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- wink1026
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:41pm
  Say it: A stupid h black white they must fight all the time in his m
  
  Report this comment
TeslanEdison
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 4:55am
wow so do gays really know how their culture was instigated by communists as a means to destroy American culture. Would being gay be so interesting if it really meant you were playing a part in the destruction of America and freedom ending in your own execution as a deviant by the communist regime. Of course you can’t have anyone speak out against gays it’s part of the whole plan…Henry Hay leading member of the communist party USA, so the cold war has come to America, Obama is it’s leader hate speech laws are part of the agenda.

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- sheik
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 5:25am
  Looks like the Obamessiah is changing his “faith” like his shirts.
  
  But how was that again?
  
  “I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.”
  
  In that case, shouldn’t he go to the next mosque?
  
  Report this comment
- packersr01
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 4:01pm
  You are absolutely correct. The Communist goals to bring down America was read into the Congressional Record, in 1964, I believe it was. Here’s the link (one of many):
  http://rense.com/general32/americ.htm 45 things that would bring down America from within. Belief in the U.N., acceptance of homosexuality and unions are some of the main items to be found there. If you remove the few items that refer to WWII, most all of the others have or are taking place. I’d advise everyone here to read that list.
  
  Report this comment
betterpart
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:57am
The atheists must be twisting themselves out of shape over this lol..

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Mr.Fitnah
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:44am
Pointless fan dance.

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Too_Far_Gone
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:54am
I Still Think satan Would Be The Best Choice For This, As It Is his father ..

Just Sayin’

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- Gonzo
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 9:05am
  He’ll be there, laughing.
  
  Report this comment
Margyt
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 1:26am
Perfect choice. One more reason to avoid the inauguration. All of the real prayers will happen outside of the event anyway.

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- grampdad
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 10:55am
  Like prayer in schools; if the prayer is to allah, buddah, or any one of the billions of hindu gods will it not just bring to pass their diabolical wishes?
  
  Let them have at it; Sodom was destroyed because of unbelief and those who refuse Christ will simply spend eternity absent from anything good. Little does it matter wether they choose to believe God, He does not depend on anyone’s belief. His problem: He thinks He is God and will not agrue with anyone about it.
  
  Report this comment
- tootsie roll
  Posted on January 21, 2013 at 6:38pm
  Yes they will and they will be for God to come quickly. Remember he is winning now but we know the ending.
  BTW if Sharia law comes to USA The Gays will really be in trouble. Christians will not kill them but Sharia will. Allah tells them to blank the homosexuals This will include the down low club from Rev Wright group
  
  Report this comment
Diggyme
Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:36am
Well just as in the case of the mistaken preacher below…..gays are not Christians unless they like all other sinners confess their sin and make every effort to forsake it. This does not mean that Christians do not sin…we do…and Christ’s death pays for my sin….”if we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness” 1 Jn. 1:9 but in no wise are we to embrace our sins…..God says those who do this are forever sent to Hell of place of darkness and flame where the worn never dies. Sorry but this is the truth and like it or not God is God ….no you and your ideas and not me and my ideas….it is always GOD AND GOD’S IDEAS which matter.

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- Witness1974
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:35am
  Amen! brother.
  
  Report this comment
flagbearer
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:54pm
Remember the NSDAR segment on January 3? There are ties to the Episcopal Church…just sayin’.

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Keatonc33
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:50pm
This is just the kind of non-issue that drives the beckerheads crazy! by the way TM beckerheads!

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strawberry411a
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:42pm
Pointless. He could care less who does it.

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- Diane TX
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:03am
  Couldn’t care less. (Sorry, but could care less means that there is more “caring” to come.)
  
  Really, I’m not a Nazi, but I was taught by Catholic Nuns and they were very strict about their students grammar. : )
  
  Report this comment
- Witness1974
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 3:54am
  I’m sure Obama is actively searching for the pastor who stands for nothing on principle. “Make no controversy, offend no one. Keep everything touchy-feely, and lead millions of people to Hell smiling all the way feeling good about accepting and being accepted no matter what kind of life one lead’s.”
  “For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying ‘Peace, Peace’ when there is no peace. Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith, the Lord” (Jeremiah 6:13-15.).
  
  Woe to this generation.
  
  Report this comment
Diane TX
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:37pm
Not that it matters, (seeing that Obama is not really a Christian), but that’s a “hell” of a religion that changes the tenets of it’s belief based on what is “popular” for the times. I can hardly wait until they declare that pedophiles are OK people, too.

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:48pm
  quick question… could you explain to me why you don’t think he is a Christian? I mean he’s probably too smart to be one but any other reasoning?
  
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- wink1026
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:50pm
  OK the dumdass is speaking. You are not the smart one out of the bunch ha. Read the christian BIBLE and see what comes.
  
  Report this comment
barber2
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:23pm
Rev, Luis Leon, a relationship with atheist President Obama ? Toxic. Please call in the exorcist .

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- BODYBAG
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 12:36am
  The Episcopal church is reprobate
  These words burn the flesh of the ungodly and they will hate you with vengeance.
  Choose ye this day whom ye will serve
  
  2 Timothy 3
  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof ——- from such turn away.
  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
  
  Leviticus 18:22
  Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it [is] abomination.
  
  Report this comment
SUNTZU
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:22pm
Satan grows stronger every day. A sign his end
is getting closer.

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CathyvanDyke
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:10pm
Rick Warren was Barack Obama’s choice to officiate at his 2009 inauguration but … that was before he “evolved”.

Apr 8, 2012
Rick Warren on Same Sex Marriage: “When The Church Accommodates Culture, It Weakens It’

WARREN: And so I believe what Jesus says about the Bible – and he says the Bible is the word of God. Well, if the Bible is the word of God, then I don’t have the right to change it. Policies come and go over the years. And so if I’m unpopular for certain beliefs, well, then I’m unpopular for certain beliefs. And to me, the Bible is very clear that sex is for a man and a woman in marriage only.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/04/rick-warren-on-same-sex-marriage-when-the-church-accommodates-culture-it-weakens-it/

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CathyvanDyke
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:01pm
It appears that this clergyman would not have qualified to officiate at Obama’s inauguration in 2009. However … considering his position of gay marriage has “evolved” ….

TRANSCRIPT: Jake Tapper Interviews Barack Obama
June 16, 2008
OBAMA: I’m a strong supporter of civil unions. And I think that, you know, we’re involved in a national conversation about this issue. You know, I BELIEVE THAT MARRIAGE IS BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN, but I also think that same-sex partners should be able to visit each other in hospitals, they should be able to transfer property, they should be able to get the same federal rights and benefits that are conferred onto married couples.
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Politics/story?id=5178123&page=3

Obama says same-sex marriage should be legal
May 9, 2012
“I have hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought that civil unions would be sufficient”, Now, he said, “it is important for me personally to go ahead and affirm that same-sex couples should be able to get married.”
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/05/09/obama-same-sex-marriage-legal.html

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kevinthewriter
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 10:54pm
If I were Giglio, I would’ve refused the invitation in the first place. The marxist could care less about taking an oath on the bible. The whole time he’ll be fantasizing about gettin jiggy with his fellow celebrities. What a PUKE.

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PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 10:54pm
Isn’t he upsetting his atheist buddies and the muslim brotherhood? What measures does he use to weight which of his little factions he offends or rewards. Must be kinda like juggling…he’s cut this country up into all these minority groups now how does he please them all? Does he even care? My guess is no. Because most of the people who voted for him are LOW information voters and don’t pay any attention anyway.

Every 3 minutes a Christian is being murdered by a muslim. But don’t offend or hate a ****…it’s a crime they are protected.

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kiwi1
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 10:51pm
Should have gone back to Rev. Wright. (or some Imam) Nothing to lose or hide now. Unless he’s already campaigning for his 3rd term.

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- mash4077
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 6:02pm
  what third term? he’s not leaving.
  
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tonypro
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 10:50pm
A false dictator needs a false religious blessing.

WOW what a surprise, I’m just astonished!!!!!!!!

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Smashallcommunists
Posted on January 16, 2013 at 10:35pm
Stupid, intolerant leftists and Sodomites won’t allow anyone to speak against their demented, disease-spreading sinful perversion. Pathetic

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- Keatonc33
  Posted on January 16, 2013 at 11:51pm
  Well i can see God’s loves is abundant inside you!
  
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- wink1026
  Posted on January 17, 2013 at 2:56pm
  Keaonc; stay away from the christian sayings, you smell of smoke.
  
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