Joseph Lowery on Gay Marriage

Joseph Lowery, the other preacher at Obama's inauguration, will give the benediction and has taken a backseat to Rick Warren. Lowery opposed Prop 8, which Rick Warren supported. Still, Lowery isn't over the moon about civil marriage for gay couples. Neither is Obama for that matter. Lowery and Obama support civil unions. Warren believes that being gay is sinful and he comes from the You-Can-Cure-Yourself-Of-Being-Gay-If-You-Want-To-Be-Saved school of thought. Lowery has a significantly different view. 

Page One: Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, President-elect Obama's choice to deliver the benediction at the upcoming Inauguration, said on Tuesday that he hesitates to support civil marriage for same-sex couples. He does, however, support civil unions. Lowery will appear with Dr. Rick Warren, Saddleback Church founder and author of The Purpose-Driven Life, who is slated to deliver the invocation.

Warren has faced criticism over statements comparing same-sex relationships to incest and pedophilia. He was also a vocal supporter of California's Proposition 8. The President-elect has defended his inaugural lineup in the spirit of unity with those with whom one does not always agree.

"I differ with [Rick Warren] sharply on his position on this issue," Lowery told MSNBC's David Shuster. "I don't think we ought to put into law any discriminatory action against people because of race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. I oppose that. But that doesn't stop me from being on a program with him."