Louie Giglio, the Atlanta pastor and Passion founder, has withdrawn from President Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony, where he’d been asked to say the benediction. The move comes on the heels of widespread criticism on one of Giglio’s old sermons, which warned about the “aggressive agenda” of the gay rights movement. In a statement, Giglio said:
Neither I, nor our team, feel it best serves the core message and goals we are seeking to accomplish to be in a fight on an issue not of our choosing, thus I respectfully withdraw my acceptance of the President’s invitation. I will continue to pray regularly for the President, and urge the nation to do so. I will most certainly pray for him on Inauguration Day. Our nation is deeply divided and hurting, and more than ever need God’s grace and mercy in our time of need.
In a response, the presidential inaugural committee spokesperson, Addie Whisenant, said, “Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part for his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans” …
