ATLANTA--Rev. Rick Warren made an important stop here Monday on his way to Washington to deliver the invocation at the presidential inauguration: he gave the keynote address at the annual birthday services for Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the church King called home, Ebenezer Baptist.Just as Rev. Warren’s part in the inauguration ceremonies has been criticized because of his stands against same-sex marriage and abortion rights, demonstrators here denounced his prominent place on Monday’s program.
Still, the sanctuary was filled to capacity and an overflow crowd watched on a giant screen outside as the church once again served as a de facto town hall for this largely African-American city celebrating Barack Obama’s ascent to the presidency.
Nearly every one of more than a dozen speakers mentioned Mr. Obama, to loud applause.
“It’s definitely something in the air,” said Erika Nalls, a railroad company employee. “I couldn’t make it to Washington, so, I wanted to be here.”
Mr. Warren has declined to give interviews about either of his appearances.
For his address Monday, he borrowed a theme from an anthem of the Civil Rights Movement, “We Shall Overcome,” saying humility, integrity, generosity and community were the means of overcoming adversity.
“Martin Luther King was a mighty tool in the hand of God, but God isn’t through,” he said. “Justice is a journey, and we’re getting further and further along.”
He did not mention homosexuality or abortion.
About 100 protesters gathered outside with signs that read, “No bigotry in MLK’s church” and “We still have a dream.”
Craig Washington, who manages an AIDS prevention program, said, “We can agree to disagree, but we cannot build bridges by rewarding those who build walls to lock people out.”
Several protesters said Rev. Warren’s invitation to the inauguration, where the then-president-elect is striving for an image of national unity, was more palatable than his appearance at a service honoring King, whose message centered on tolerance.
However, Isaac Newton Farris Jr., president of the King Center, which organizes the annual services on the King holiday, defended the choice of Rev. Warren.
Introducing him, Mr. Farris said from the pulpit that the “beloved community” that King tried to build had room for liberals and conservatives alike, as well as homosexual men and lesbians.
“It’s appropriate that we give a fair and courteous hearing to those we may disagree with as we search for common ground to resolve the great conflicts of our times,” said Mr. Farris, King’s nephew.
“Certainly Rev. Warren is on a spiritual journey, like us, and perhaps he can learn from those he disagrees with.”
Mr. Warren was booked for the service before the election and long before he was invited to participate in the inauguration, King Center officials said.
Before he began speaking, a woman in the audience yelled, “Rick Warren is a bigot!” She and her companions were quickly escorted out.
Others in the audience yelled, “We love you, Rev. Warren!”
Without losing composure, Rev. Warren told the audience that a photograph of King hung on the wall in his office.
“I am going, as you know, to give the invocation tomorrow,” he said, “but this means more to me, personally.”
