The Presidential Inauguration Committee announced Tuesday that President Obama has selected Pastor Louie Giglio of the Georgia-based Passion 
City Church to deliver the benediction for his second inauguration.
Think Progress discovered that the preacher gave a vicious anti-gay sermon and supports “pray away the gay” cures for homosexuality. The New York Times covered the controversy today. Here is Truth Wins Out’s statement:
“I am incredibly frustrated and disappointed that our political allies fail to offer such prominent platforms to progressive clergy who clearly need to have their public profiles elevated. Is there not one progressive preacher in this country of 300 million Americans the president could have chosen?
“It’s always our side that engages in unreciprocated ‘bridge building’ when we should use such opportunities to express and promote our values. It’s unfathomable, for example, that Mitt Romney would have chosen Bishop Gene Robinson to give a sermon at his inauguration. This is another lost opportunity and a slap in the face to progressive faith leaders. It’s a shame we consistently squander situations where we could highlight more enlightened religious views.”
“It is imperative that Giglio clarify his remarks and explain whether he has evolved on gay rights, like so many other faith and political leaders. It would be a shame to select a preacher with backward views on LGBT people at a moment when the nation is rapidly moving forward on our issues.”
Seriously President Obama–you couldn’t do better than this?
