Bishop Gene Robinson Talks Rick Warren on Rachel Maddow

Gay Episcopal bishop Gene Robinson reiterated on the Rachel Maddow Show Wednesday that Barack Obama's choice of conservative Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the Inauguration Day invocation.

"You know, being a supporter of Barack Obama doesn't mean that we don't critique certain decisions that he might make," Robinson, who will give the invocation at the Inauguration Day opening festivities this Sunday, told Maddow on her MSNBC show. "And so many of us in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community, we're just stunned really by this choice."

But Robinson also said that Obama's decision to include Warren seems indicative of the President Elect's commitment to showcasing diverse voices telling Maddow, "in the intervening days, it appears that Barack Obama is being the person he told us he was and that he intended to be, by including all voices in this inauguration and, indeed, in his administration."

Robinson also told Maddow that the notion of throwing a broad swath and reaching out to all walks of people smacked of the inclusiveness Jesus espoused.

"No one had a bigger tent than Jesus," Robinson said.  "That sort of vision, I believe, is Barack Obama's vision as well. And I long for a government that respects the dignity of every human being, especially those who are less fortunate."