Here is an example of what Phil was talking 
about, regarding people straying from the gospel 
and getting involved in side issues.

Text of forwarded message follows:


>Saturday, December 2, 2006
>After reading this headline, please do NOT refer 
>to me as an Evangelical?  I "evangelize," but 
>I'm certainly absent from this camp!
>
>
>
>Evangelicals embrace Obama
>
>
>
>
>After earlier criticisms, his speech at an AIDS 
>conference organized by Rick Warren's Saddleback 
>Church receives a standing ovation.
>
>
>
>By MARTIN WISCKOL
>The Orange County Register
>http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_1371722.php
>
>LAKE FOREST – Barack Obama got torched by 
>Christian critics earlier in the week, but he 
>received a hearty standing ovation after 
>addressing hundreds of evangelicals in person at Saddleback Church on Friday.
>
>The charismatic Illinois senator and possible 
>2008 Democratic presidential candidate was on 
>hand for the church's Global Summit on AIDS and 
>the Church, which coincided with World AIDS Day.
>
>"We are all sick because of AIDS," Obama said. 
>"We are all being challenged by this crisis. It 
>is a challenge not only of our willingness to 
>respond, but of our ability to look past 
>artificial divisions and debates that have shaped our response all too often."
>
>Obama's support of abortion rights led numerous 
>evangelicals to lash out when it was announced 
>he would be speaking, along with Sen. Sam 
>Brownback, R-Kan., at a Friday session entitled "We Must Work Together."
>
>Rob Schenck, president of the National Clergy 
>Council, called Obama's views "the antithesis of 
>biblical ethics and morality, not to mention supreme American values."
>
>Taking heat for inviting Obama was Saddleback 
>Pastor Rick Warren, author of the popular "The Purpose-Driven Life."
>
>Warren – and Brownback – eagerly explained their 
>support of Obama at the event. Warren said 
>differences on some issues shouldn't prevent 
>them from working together on the problem of AIDS.
>
>"I've got two friends here – a Republican and a 
>Democrat," Warren said. "Why? You've got to have 
>two wings to fly. … It's time for the church to 
>be known for what it's for, not what it's against."
>
>He went on to say Obama and Brownback were two 
>members of Congress he most respected. "You may 
>not always agree with what they say, but they 
>always speak with integrity – and more than that, civility," Warren said.
>
>Warren, Brownback and Obama all spoke of AIDS as 
>a pandemic that is one of the world's most 
>daunting problems, particularly in Africa, where 
>there are an estimated 12 million AIDS orphans.
>
>Bringing the church and more Christians into the 
>equation is seen by the three as a key to 
>getting the upper hand on the problem. Obama 
>also emphasized the need for Congress to do more 
>in terms of analyzing the problem and increasing funding abroad.
>
>Obama spoke extensively about the debate of abstinence vs. condoms.
>
>"I don't think we can deny that there is a moral 
>and spiritual component to prevention," Obama 
>said. During recent travels through Africa, he 
>said, "again and again I heard stories of men 
>and women contracting HIV because sex was no 
>longer part of a sacred covenant, but a mechanical physical act."
>
>"Having said that, I also believe that we cannot 
>ignore that abstinence and fidelity may too 
>often be the ideal and not the reality. If 
>condoms and potentially microbicides can prevent 
>millions of deaths, they should be made more widely available."
>
>The standing ovation given Obama was longer and 
>louder than that received by either Warren or 
>Brownback. The message clearly resonated.
>
>"If I had my preference, abstinence would get 
>the most emphasis," said Linda Smith, a retired 
>teacher and a member of the church on hand for 
>the event. "But I'm not so insensitive to other 
>cultures and other ways of thinking to know that 
>abstinence is not always going to be the answer."
>
>Gordon Raley, who coordinates efforts with 
>churches for Arlington, Va.-based Family Health 
>International, said criticism of Obama revealed 
>a shortcoming that sometimes occurs among Christians.
>
>"Even within the church, sometimes we put politics before God," he said.
>
>At the outset of a news conference following the 
>speaking event, Obama, Brownback and Warren each 
>took an HIV test to demonstrate how simple it 
>was and to encourage others to follow suit.
>
>Obama expressed relief that unlike an HIV test 
>he took in Africa earlier this year – in which 
>blood was drawn – this one was performed with a 
>swab-type device that extracted a mucus sample from inside the mouth.
>
>Obama and Brownback were asked during the news 
>conference about their possible candidacies for 
>president in 2008. Both responded that they 
>would not talk about it because they didn't want 
>to distract from the focus of the event. By the 
>end of the 20-minute news conference, results 
>from the HIV tests were available. All were negative.
>
>CONTACT US: 714-285-2867 or 
><mailto:[log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]
>
>
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>- Release Date: 12/1/2006 1:12 PM
End of forwarded message text:

John


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