LAKE FOREST, Calif., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rick Warren, nationally acclaimed pastor and author of the New York Times bestselling "The Purpose Driven Life," announced today his support in favor of Proposition 8, California's Protect Marriage Act.

Warren, founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church, affirmed his support of the proposition, which would restore the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, in his News and Views email which is distributed to church members.

"For 5,000 years, every culture and every religion -- not just Christianity -- has defined marriage as a contract between men and women," Warren wrote. "There is no reason to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease 2% of our population."

A link to a video on the Saddleback Church was included, where Warren further discussed his support of Proposition 8. (http://saddlebackfamily.com/blogs/newsandviews/index.html?contentid=1502)

In August, Warren hosted presidential candidates Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama in a civil forum at Saddleback Church. During the two-hour event, Warren asked both senators for their definition of marriage and both agreed it was the traditional, historic and universal definition --- one man and one woman for life.

"The courts threw out the will of the people," Warren said in his online video, in reference to the State Supreme Court's decision in May to overturn Proposition 22, approved by 61 percent of voters in 2000 to declare marriage between a man and a woman. "I never support a candidate but on moral issues I come out very clear."

Warren is considered one of the most respected and influential pastors in America and his support of Proposition 8 is unequivocal. He was named one of TIME magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World and 15 World Leaders Who Matter Most and was called one of America's Top 25 Leaders by U.S. News and World Report.

Paid for by ProtectMarriage.com -- Yes on 8, a project of California Renewal. 915 L Street, #C-259, Sacramento, CA 95814. 916-446-2956. Major funding by Knights of Columbus, National Organization for Marriage California Committee and Focus on the Family.

SOURCE ProtectMarriage.com