You are entitled to your beliefs, but this is NOT a Christian nation. The prayers are often said to be made in the name of Jesus, because that person is usually a Christian and often adds that out of habit. I don't mind because I understand, but it bothers millions of non-Christians. Read the First Amendment; it makes it clear that the Founders intended that we would not have a State Religion.

Personally, I think the evidence of the existence of the person Jesus is slim. But I am willing to go along with it, as long as it doesn't impinge on the life and freedom of others. You want to impinge on the life an freedom of others. That is un-American and hateful; you are un-American and hateful.

Wow Joanne... kinda abrupt... Because he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ and desires his named praised and honored and revered you call him Un-American? Well Billy Fritts is American and is practicing his freedom of Religion which comes along with being an American. I, as well as Billy, am proclaimed Christians and you may attack our beliefs but let me draw your attention to a testimony by Penn Jillette from Penn and Teller. He is a devout Athiest and is very outspoken about his beliefs. Listen to what he says about Christians and maybe you will understand why we Christians are so outspoken.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhG-tkQ_Q2w

Especially the most of the arrogant, selfish and prideful ones, like John Boehner.

Pace:

Foisting your narrow beliefs on others in an inappropriate forum, that is publicly presented for the entire American population, IS un-American. We are not there for an old fashioned tent meeting; this is the inauguration of the President of the United States of America.

As I said, "You are entitled to your beliefs", but you are not entitled to mine. If you want your beliefs broadcast to the American public, do as others do; hire the air waves and say it on the radio or television. You can stand on the corner and shout your beliefs or hand out a leaflet to amplify them. You just can't hijack the inauguration for your beliefs.

You have every right to say whatever you want to say, but not on my front lawn, not in the high school down the street, and not at the inauguration on the 21st.

AMEN.

AMEN

Because we live in America we all are blessed with our first amendment right, that is, the right to fre speech. Free speech allows us to declare our love for our God, or our doubts that there is one. That means whether on the internet, radio or at an inauguration, whoever is present at the time it's utterred, understands that right.

Joanne

To be one who desires freedom and equality, and an open minded attitude, you sure are acting pretty narrow minded and hate filled in this thread. No one attacked your beliefs and no one attacked your freedoms but you sure are attacking the Christian Worldview pretty hard. But consider this for a second... A Benediction is typically a prayer of blessing at the end of a service so why would someone who didn't believe in prayer be giving a benediction? If that is the issue, then write the White House to remove the benediction section altogether from the inauguration. There is no need to attack a religious leader when they are asked to take part in what has traditionally been considered a religious moment at the inauguration. Whether or not you want to admit it. Our nation is falling on the brink of a Moral Civil War, and to look back through history and follow in the footsteps of President Abraham Lincoln.... During his term in the Civil War, Lincoln called on the nation 9 times to have a National Day of Prayer. Lincolns leadership politically and religiously gave the nation 150+ years of prosperity to grow into the super power we are today. Again we fall into a war on morality and religion dividing the nation and I applaud that President Barack Obama has asked Religious Leader Louie Giglio to come and pray at his inauguration. Prayer has saved this nation once, and it can do it again if we let it.

Francis - you are correct. I am absolutely stunned that he has been given this honor. What ARE they thinking? First Rick Warren, and now this gem!

What evidence do you have that Louie Giglio is a homophobic monster? A Benediction is typically a prayer of blessing at the end of a service so why would someone who didn't believe in prayer be giving a benediction? If that is the issue, then write the White House to remove the benediction section altogether from the inauguration. But back to the Homophobic Monster statement... what evidence do you have for that statement?

As a pastor, he needs to make folks aware of the dysfunctional lifestyle of the gay folks. God did not create man to lie with man, woman with woman. Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

I know Louie Giglio and I know that he's not a homophobe....Have you had conversations with him or do you just don't like the fact that he disagrees with the lifestyle according to HIS Christian beliefs (not yours). He doesn't agree with the lifestyle but that doesn't in any way, shape, or form make him homophobic! Someone asking for tolerance doesn't seem to extend much to people that disagree with you!

Doesn't the same thing happen if you eat shirmp ruskin randy, or wear clothes made of two different kinds of thread? You know, Cotton and Spandex.

okelly73: surely you disagree with the straight lifestyle. Fifty percent of straight marriages end in divorce. Sixty five percent of second marriages end in divorce, and 75 percent of third marriages end in divorce. Clearly the straight lifestyle is sick and getting sicker. It ends in broken marriages, one parent families (usually mom), dead beat or disinterested dads (though that is definitely not always the case), poverty for the children and poverty for their mom. The rate of domestic violence in straight relationships is greater than in gay relationships, and a child of a gay relationship is always a wanted child, which is often not the case in a straight parent/child relationship.

The most victims of child sexual abuse are girls, not boys.

The adjective "homophobic" is too often misapplied. It is more useful to recognize Giglio for the ignorant oaf that is... Deluded, as are so many others, by ancient scrolls that with breathtaking arrogance and hubris make pretense to The Word of God.

These unfortunate children live in a condition of rank idolatry, substituting as they do the dead stuff of scrawls and scratchings for The Eternal.

Pity them. Pray for them if you are so inclined. Visit upon them the compassion of Jesus of you able to. But do not confuse their delusional ignorance with the mental illness that is homophobia. The phobe deserves understanding for his damaged psyche. The religious bigot merits contempt.

Laughed until I started to cough and choke.

I'll have to enlighten you, Amber. I am a man of unshakable Faith. My Faith, however, is uncorrupted by the papists, preachermen, and other assorted fakes who pimp The Risen Christ for coin and power.

No offense, I hope.

Had you read the item more carefully you'd have understood that Giglio withdrew himself. It was not the President's decision.