Having already disappointed many in the gay community that helped elect him, President-elect Barack Obama could alienate some religious leaders if speculation about Pastor Rick Warren’s invocation proves correct. The traditional evangelical Christian prayer often ends with the words “In Jesus’ name…,” but observers say Warren’s use of the phrase could offend non-Christians attending the Jan. 20 inauguration. Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life, was chosen to offer an opening prayer at the Washington event, despite his known opposition to gay lifestyle choices. Warren hasn’t elaborated on whether he’ll use Jesus name in the prayer, but recently wrote: “Prayers are not to be sermons, speeches, position statements, nor political posturing. They are humble, personal appeals to God.”

Obama urges Americans to “come together” after anti-gay criticism. After hearing criticism from much of the gay community that helped elect him, Barack Obama is asking citizens to “come together.” The president-elect’s plea follows an outcry over his invitation of author and pastor Rick Warren to perform the invocation prayer at Obama’s January inauguration. Warren, author of the best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life, rallied against gay marriage legislation in California this election year. “We’re not going to agree on every single issue, but what we have to do is be able to create an atmosphere where we can disagree without being disagreeable, and then focus on those things that we hold in common,” Obama says. “There are going to be a wide range of viewpoints that are presented, because that’s what America is about.” Obama’s latest controversy is the second time he drew significant criticism for association with clergy since he started on the road to the White House. His former pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, was thought to be a threat to Obama’s entire candidacy after comments by Wright that some called anti-American received widespread media attention.