The most prominent evangelical clergy to speak and pray at this week’s Republican Convention in Tampa was National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference President Sammy Rodriguez, the most politically prominent spokesman for evangelical Hispanics.
Rodriguez has pressed for liberalized immigration while sometimes leaning left on economic issues. Earlier this year he cancelled a scheduled appearance at a controversial “Christ at the Checkpoint” event because of its anti-Israel themes. Recently he has been condemned by liberals for opposing abortion and defending traditional marriage.
Here is Rodriguez’s August 28 benediction after the speech by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie:
Awesome and amazing God, we give you praise and declare that where Your Spirit is present there is liberty. We understand that in the midst of moral relativism and spiritual apathy, what America needs most is a fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.
Let His Spirit move us, from Tampa to Tucson, from Washington state to Washington DC, not the spirit of truth sacrificed on the altar of political expediency, but the reductive truth that sets us free, reconciling sanctification with service, holiness with humility, the image of God with the habits of Christ, righteousness with justice and Billy Graham`s message with Martin Luther King’s dream, a dream expressed so eloquently by him on the steps of the Lincoln memorial on this very day nearly 50 years ago.
Let your spirit move us, reminding that our nation stands upon a simple principle, God over man and man over government. Then together we can declare, that it is not by might nor by power, but by rights granted by You that we are one nation under God.
God, let your Spirit protect those touched by the storm called Isaac. They are looking to you for guidance, hope and compassion at a time they are vulnerable and seeking your strength.
Finally we gather here in tampa empowered by your spirit believing that God is not done with America and America is not done with God.
Comment by Tom Arr on September 1, 2012 at 7:33 am
He chides moral relativism while relegating Christ to a teacher of ‘habits’ same as all who would deny His divinity while attempting to strip Him of His true purpose. And then we have the same anti-finale that we got from the other prayer-leaders of the Christian variety at this circus, the glaring lack of praying in the name of Jesus. This guy actually came closest by being the only one to mention Christ by name, but that doesn’t offend the those who don’t believe, like the Jews, as much as saying that blessed name —-> JESUS.
Comment by cynthia curran on September 2, 2012 at 1:04 am
To no ones surprise, rather than becoming libertarian, immigrants loyally support the Social Democratic welfare state, as their economic self interests and the political culture of their societies would predicts. In the latest Swedish election, only 43% of Swedes but 77% of non-western immigrants voted for the left (this was an unusually bad year for the left, who got 92% of the immigrant vote in 2002!). In the United States, where while only 35% of non-Hispanic whites prefer higher taxes in return for more government services, the figure is 65% for first generation Hispanic immigrants, and 66% for second generation Hispanics. Sweden has been cutting some of its welfare state and tax rates, still pretty high. However, mitigation of a sort is making it difficult. Sam is one of those Republicans that can have their cake and eat it to. Have low taxes but lots of immigration at the lower skilled. This proves it strengths the left. Some conservative well say but Vermont is white and Democratic that’s not the point eventually unless its the deep south and the group is not growing much like African-Americans you can’t do it.