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Thursday Religion News Roundup: Invocations and benedictions* virtual vices* Father Bill

President Obama has selected an Atlanta pastor known for his tireless organizing against human trafficking to deliver the benediction at his inauguration.

But that pastor, the Rev. Louie Giglio of Passion City Church, is already under fire for past sermons railing against gays. In one such sermon, Giglio tells listeners that gay people will be prevented from “entering the Kingdom of God.”

Why is picking an inauguration preacher so hard? Rick Warren, the California megachurch pastor who gave the invocation at Obama’s first inauguration, was strongly criticized too.

Myrlie Evers-Williams, the widow of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers, will give the invocation, which opens the ceremony. History buffs might remember Medgar Evers as the Mississippi field secretary for the NAACP, who was gunned down in his driveway in 1963.

The president has also chosen the inaugural poet. That honor goes to Richard Blanco, 44, the youngest person to recite a poem at a presidential swearing-in, as well as the first Hispanic and the first gay person.

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Topics: Culture, Arts & Media
Beliefs: Christian - Protestant/Other
Tags: gays, inauguration, louie giglio, myrlie evers-williams, obama, passion city church, president obama

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