Reverend Rick Warren advocates "taking out" world leaders.

Ever since Pastor Rick Warren's presidential  forum back in August, the conservative televangelist has been following the media spotlight, much like Nora Desmond desperately seeking her next close-up.  In the midst of promoting his new book on Fox News' Hannity and Colmes, the publicity loving Warren strayed dangerously into Pat Robertson territory when he suggested that the United States should kill ("take out") foreign leaders that are deemed "evil" (with his holy self acting as judge and jury, presumably).  Then, warming to his theme, Reverend Rick announced:  "The Bible says that evil cannot be negotiated with.  It has to just be stopped.  In fact, that is the legitimate role of government.  The Bible says that God puts government on earth to punish evildoers."  Thanks, yer worshipful!  I always wondered why God put government on earth. 

Warren's justification for exterminating wicked heads of state (like Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who tops his and Sean Hannity's list of evildoers) seems to be based on his strange interpretation of a passage in the Book of Romans.  Matt Duss at Wonk Room delivers the goods:  Does Warren really consider it part of his ministry to sanctify the inch-deep theologizing-cum-warmongering of thugs like Sean Hannity?  If so, who else does Warren think Jesus would bomb?  I contacted Pastor Warren’s office for clarification, specifically to find out where, exactly, the Bible says that “God puts government on earth to punish evildoers” like Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.  They said they’d get back to me.  I’ll update if and when they do.  I suspect Warren was referring to Romans 13, in which the Apostle Paul admonished Christians to submit to governing authorities (Hear that Hannity? Submit!), and also addressed the power of civil government to punish criminals.  This has nothing to do, as far as I know, with invading foreign countries and killing their leaders, which is the context in which Warren is speaking.

When televangelist Pat Robertson called for the assassination of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez three years ago, he was roundly denounced as the crazy old fart he is.  But times are different now, and the immensely popular "feel-good" pastor of Saddleback Church, luxuriating in media attention, is unlikely to suffer similar condemnation.  After all, he has Dieu de Publicité on his side - not to mention Sean Hannity.

Comments

[Patrick]

What an evil, evil man. I wonder if that's what jesus would do? Quit giving this idiot time on the airwaves.

[vince]

who is nora desmond?

[Bee Girl]

She's a character in Sunset Boulevard.