"Our new president is a human being, not a messiah."
From yesterday's invocation by Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson at the big rawk concert at the Lincoln Memorial:
"Bless us with patience and the knowledge that none of what ails us will be fixed anytime soon, and the understanding that our new president is a human being, not a messiah."…
"Please, God, keep him (Obama) safe. We know we ask too much of our presidents, and we're asking far too much of this one. We implore you, O good and great God, to keep him safe. Hold him in the palm of your hand, that he might do the work we have called him to do, that he might find joy in this impossible calling, and that in the end, he might lead us as a nation to a place of integrity, prosperity, and peace. Amen."
It is comforting, of course, to know that even his supporters view Obama not as a god but as a man (cue Jesus Christ Superstar's "I Don't Know How to Love Him"). Robinson is openly gay and so blunts some of the anger aimed at Rick "Gay Heartbreaker" Warren's delivering of the big prayer at tomorrow's inauguration. I do wonder how long Obama's left-leaning supporters will stay comfortable with the religiosity of their man in their White House.