In an exclusive Easter Sunday interview with ABC’s “This Week,” pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California discussed a wide range of topics with host Jake Tapper. Tapper asked Warren about his outspoken criticism of the birth control coverage mandate given by the Obama administration. Warren explained that he’s not against contraception or women’s health issues but rather “supports his Catholic brothers and sisters to believe what they want to believe.” Asked about issues of separation of church and state, Warren said he doesn’t believe in separation of faith and politics, saying those with a religious worldview should not be excluded from the political conversation, adding that he does not believe in “imposing what he believes on everyone else.”
Asked about the state of the nation, Warren said the country’s current problems are spiritual ones and many people and administrations are culpable. “We don’t know how to disagree without being disagreeable,” he explained. “We need unity, not uniformity.” He used the controversy over Tim Tebow as an example of “how far the country has come in the last 50 years: “I could give you 15, or 50, other things you should be more worried about in that coliseum than a kid kneeling down to thank God.”
Warren also discussed Mormonism and its controversy lately, explaining that the “sticking point” for most Christians in Mormonism is their view on the Trinity. Asked if he believed that Christ is the only way to heaven, Warren affirmed, “I believe that because Jesus said it.” And when reminded that he works closely with those of other belief systems, Warren explained that people aren’t admitted to heaven on their good works but by the grace of God, which is available to everyone.
To view the video of the interview from ABC, click here.
