Friday, August 27, 2010

Glenn Beck Hosts Conservative Rally; Some Evangelicals Object To Participiation Because of Beck's Mormon Beliefs

Radio and television commentator Glenn Beck is hosting an event tonight at Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. titled "America's Divine Destiny." Beck's website describes the event as follows:
Guided by uplifting music, nationally-known religious figures from all faiths will unite to deliver messages reminiscent to those given during the struggles of America's earliest days. The event will leave you with a renewed determination to look past the partisan differences and petty problems that fill our airwaves and instead focus our shared values, principles and strong belief that faith can play an essential role in reuniting the country.
CNN reports that this event precedes a rally to be held over the week end at the Lincoln Memorial on the 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. The main speaker will be Sarah Palin. However some Christian conservatives have criticized the decision of evangelicals to take part in the Friday event because of Beck's Mormon beliefs. Brannon Howse writes: "The Apostle Paul warns Christians against uniting with unbelievers in spiritual endeavors.... While I applaud and agree with many of Glenn Beck's conservative and constitutional views, that does not give me or any other Bible-believing Christian justification to compromise Biblical truth by spiritually joining Beck." However evangelical activist David Barton defends participation, saying: "Christians concerned about Glenn's faith should judge the tree by its fruits, not its labels."