delete

exact difference of the two. I actually didn't know much about Lowery (sp?) until yesterday. I'm glad he will be offering prayer for the new President and all involved with making this country a better place. I'm sinking and really need the economy turned around pronto...well at least some improvement pronto! :)

of each, is because we are having so much conversations about these two terms....and it appears that the importance is not being placed on the actual symbolic ritual, here at DU.

It may not bring any relief to those who believe that Warren is the wrong choice and shouldn't be on the stage at all, but it does clearify that in fact Lowery and what he says that has any religious weight on the inauguration proceedings.

If I had to place them in order of importance in reference to religiocity, I would say that Lowery win on that score. Its also the difference between the opening and the closing act. The opening act is not superior to the closing act in any proceeding. In fact, oftentimes, people miss the convocation because it happens so early in any given proceeding.....while no one leaves prior to the Benediction being offer as it shows bad form.

that an Invocation is a religious symbolistic ritual, but it isn't really. The Invocation itself simply and literally means a large gathering, without the aspect of religion being part of the meaning of invocation.

The Benediction is a religious symbolistic ritual, with the final benediction being the most important of the rituals period. It is the closing prayer, the blessing and a religious rite onto itself.

And the Covocation is literally to convene and it is usually done with a prayer. That is why it is done with a religious personage.Obama today said that he was bringing together various opinions and we should be able to "agree without disagreeing".

However, when a person of the opinions of Warren is "honored" by an appearance at an historical Inauguration, the message is being sent that he is "respected". And the President of the United States doesn't really have the "right" in my opinion to "respect" a person who advocates human rights violations in this nation. And Civil Rights aren't merely a matter of "opinion". They are our constitutional rights as a free people.

The invocation is an opening prayer.

http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=invocation

Convocation:
A Convocation (Latin 'calling together', translating the Greek ecclesia) is a group of people formally assembled for a special purpose.

In some Universities for example, the term "convocation" refers specifically to the entirety of the alumni of the university, which function as one of the university's representative bodies. Due to its inordinate size, the Convocation will elect a standing committee, which is responsible for making representations concerning the views of the alumni to the university administration. The convocation also, however, can hold general meetings, at which any alumnus can attend.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convocation


Benediction:
A benediction (Latin: bene, well + dicere, to speak) is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benediction


So a convocation is a special gathering like an inauguration. At that convocation Pastor Warren is scheduled to deliver the invocation, a prayer near the beginning of the event, and Rev. Lowery is scheduled to deliver the benediction,a prayer near the close of the event.

An invocation is expressly religious; it's a prayer.

Not that any of that matters to those of us who are offended by Warren's selection. I don't have a problem with him having a religious point of view. Religion is part of our public culture and is certainly a welcomed addition to celebrating the transfer of government from the damn dirty apes back to us humans.

What offends is giving a place of honor to an enemy of civil rights. He could be the flower girl, for all I care--I don't think he should get the honor. It's not a religion thing; it's a civil rights thing.