''He kind of just wanted me to know that his church had given a lot of money to people with AIDS, and not to believe everything that I read.... I can't understand why he would pick somebody who would spew hate, spew homophobia.''

Erol Sarabi, manager of Out of the Closet, a thrift store in West Hollywood which benefits people living with AIDS. Earlier in the week, TMZ.com reported that Rick Warren stopped by the store to buy several books (2 of which were his own). Sarabi's story was circulated amongst bloggers along with the TMZ photo of a smiling Warren with his arm around Sarabi's shoulders. (CBS via YouTube)

''Because membership in a church is an outgrowth of accepting the Lordship and leadership of Jesus in one's life, someone unwilling to repent of their homosexual lifestyle would not be accepted at a member of Saddleback Church. That does not mean they cannot attend church -- we hope they do! God's Word has the power to change our lives.''

A quote taken directly from the Saddleback Church web site. Saddleback is the religious creation and home of Rick Warren's ministry. MSNBC's Rachel Maddow reported that the anti-gay line had been removed from the web site, but reveals that Saddleback says it was only ''pulled to 're-purpose it for clarity,' but apparently the policy still stands.'' (MSNBC)