As a Unitarian Universalist (which some would argue is not a religion), I cannot agree more that religion plays an important part in being a catalyst for social change. One key feature of UU is that we better our lives (and the lives of those around us) by what we do and not what we believe. I find it surprising Rick and Kay Warren and Saddleback Church would be the poster-children of your post for social change when they have been quite vocal on condemning the LGBT community and even promoting prison and death sentences for Ugandans who commit homosexual acts there. Sure, Pastor Warren may be interested in social change but consider that his idea of change promotes violence, inequality, hate and loss of life.

I listened in to the #WHchat on Twitter yesterday on “Innovation and Global Development.” The conversation was moderated by @zeenat:disqus, the Acting Director of the Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives at USAID and Raj Shah, USAID Adminstrator, who actually touched on this very topic and briefly mentioned some of the work Kay Warren is doing. 

It’s encouraging to see and participate in conversations like those and see people starting to come together.  

Great post!