Oh, the taste of compromise

Bittersweet...Isn't that how they describe it?

America is an interesting place to live--an experiment in which people with opposing views can live peaceably together. The conception was, and continues to be, bold and exciting. But the actual ways in which this works out can be spooky and nauseating.

Consider the recent controversy over choosing Rick Warren to offer the opening prayer at the Inauguration for the new president. The left is galled by the thought of someone who is openly judgmental of gays and lesbians commencing the era of an inclusive leader. The right is no doubt wondering about the motivation behind the decision.

Is this what Jefferson had in mind? Remember the idea of democracy? Open and honest dialogue even among the most divergent opinions. But it turns out that this kind of thing takes a lot of time. It's usually messy. And people seldom change their minds, even when the opposing argument makes better sense. So, it's expedient compromise... politics over persuasion, coalition over conscience, victory over value...

So then? What is the real meaning in all this? Was it simply inevitable that the rising star of the secular world would choose the rising star of the religious world to solemnize the occasion? Or is it more a symbolic statement? A glimpse of the future wrapped in an obvious compromise. Most of us are warming to the reality of sacrifice and it looks like no one is going to get out of this unscathed. So who better to usher in the season of change than the prophet of purpose?

A half-win? Almost certainly, and all the way around. But given the circumstances, it's probably not so bad. Now if we can just get used to the taste.