Bush's References to God Defended by Speechwriter

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57915-2004Dec11.html

Like many evangelical Christians, President Bush believes that God is at work in his life. But he has avoided claiming that God is behind his presidency or U.S. foreign policy, his chief speechwriter said.

"The important theological principle here, I believe, is to avoid identifying the purposes of an individual or a nation with the purposes of God," Michael Gerson said. "That seems a presumption to me, and we've done our best to avoid the temptation."

At a meeting with reporters in Key West, Fla., on Monday and Tuesday, Gerson, who has crafted almost all of Bush's major speeches since 2000 but has rarely spoken to the media, defended the president's religious rhetoric. Although the session was off the record, Gerson subsequently agreed to allow some of his main points to appear in print.

Bush's references to God have drawn criticism both at home and abroad, particularly in the context of the war in Iraq. Boston Globe columnist James Carroll, for example, has argued on the basis of Bush's statements that "the war on which America has embarked is essentially religious," a contention often echoed by commentators in the Middle East.

[cavanaghjam]

1. Well, he did call for a new Crusade

which were basically wars of plunder couched in religious aspects to instill fervor in the serfs who went to fight for their lords. At the time I though Bush's statement was just his ignorance shining through, but upon further review I believe it was an accurate description.

[sakabatou]

5. Yep

It's all a holy war right now.

[Cronus Protagonist]

2. I have a quote from Bush that is to the contrary

http://www.bushspeaks.com/home.asp?did=173



"I trust God speaks through me.
Without that, I couldn’t do my job."

— G. W. Bush
(Source: Lancaster Online)

[George_S]

7. God speak through bin Laden too...

... guess that could be called an argument. Sounds better than war.

[The Zanti Regent]

11. Is it just me, OR...

Does President Asshole look more and more like Goober Pyle each succeeding day?

[grasswire]

3. remember....

....that Gerson's previous gig as a speechwriter was for Charles Colson, fundy maximus.

[Erika]

4. Ah, Bush violated Christ's Golden Rule without a blink

when he decimated Iraq and its people while using our soldiers to further corporate globalism.

He must think the Golden Rule only applies to others. Typical corporate globalist thinking. They and Christ have little common ground.

[flordehinojos]

6. theology and theologians for the seminaries and the churches

what in heavens is a theologian doing in the white house writing for a man who has no idea of his own of who Christ is, or, of what it means to be a Christian. That alone should be reason to impeach the fraud.

[sandnsea]

8. "avoid the temptation"

Meaning, Bush believes his purposes are "of God" and is tempted to say so, but avoids it?? Because he doesn't want to appear "presumptive"????

Or nuts. Take your pick.

[cliss]

9. Bush is about as religious

as my hamster. He took on the religious rhetoric as his compromise to the Religious Right. This was his way of repaying them for helping him win the election. It was a "marriage of convenience" for the 2, because the Fundies had their own agendas, and Bush is giving them what they wanted. There's no love between them. It's ISSUES, pure and simple.

I've read enough about Bush to realize he's not reliious. Not in the least. I've seen candid photos of him furious, or anxious, or every other emotion besides pious.

[The Zanti Regent]

10. Your hamster didn't send my only child to die for Haliburton

Bush did.

I want OUT of Jesusland!

[Dr Fate]

12. "Thou shalt not bear false witness..." n/t

n/t