German leader to open Gay Games VIII

Germany’s foreign minister and vice chancellor, Guido Westerwelle, will preside over the opening ceremony of the 2010 Gay Games, according to a news release [1]from the sports organization.

Westerwelle, who has been out on the job since 2001, will open the eighth Gay Games, held this year in Cologne, Germany.

[2]

“We are so pleased to have found such a prominent advocate. With his commitment, Dr. Guido Westerwelle sends an important signal for more tolerance and acceptance of gays and lesbians in our society,” said Annete Wachter, chief executive officer of Gay Games Cologne, said in a statement.

The Gay Games are expected to attract 12,000 athletes from 70 countries. At least 34,000 spectators are expected to watch the opening ceremonies.

The goal of the Gay Games is to foster tolerance for the LGBT community.

[1] http://www.games-cologne.de/en/gay-games/news/guido-westerwelle-will-be-sponsor-gay-games-viii-cologne-2010
[2] http://www.365gay.com/wp-content/uploads/news-germany-gay-games-top.jpg

Rick Warren should repent

Rick Warren, the controversial choice to give the opening prayer at the inaugural ceremony can’t have it both ways. He has called homosexuals criminals and perverts and now he has praised the choice of Gene Robinson the openly gay Episcopal bishop who will give the invocation at the inaugural opening ceremony at the Sunday afternoon concert on the Mall.

Warren issued a statement praising Obama for selecting Robinson, saying the president-elect “has again demonstrated his genuine commitment to bringing all Americans of goodwill together in search of common ground. I applaud his desire to be the president of every citizen.”

The large inaugural audience will allow the Rev. Warren to make a public show of repentance. His cherry picking of scripture to make a political point is often translated into a cultural point by those who hate gay people. So in the name of integrity admit the contradiction and in the spirit of Christian love I suggest the following passage for inclusion in your prayer:

Father God I repent for straying from the path you admonished me to follow in Ephesians 4:15: …speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ. Help us to go forward from this day committed to our truth but speaking it only in the spirit of love.

Christians believe that words have power, that God created the heavens and the earth in just six days. But the power of words can build up or it can tear down. It’s time to take the hyperbole out of your witness and demonstrate the courage to love all people in the name of Christ.

Rick Warren should repent