August 14, 2007

Bush's Expression of Faith

Via Scott Horton @ Harpers, I found an article in the UK OnlineTimes discussing Bush's expressions of Faith. The piece has some of Bush's more eye-opening statements about God. As Libby Purves says, some of them can be seen as putting words in God's mouth. Here's the first five entries although as Scott says, it's well worth reading the whole column.

  1. I am driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, ‘George go and fight these terrorists in Afghanistan’. And I did. And then God would tell me ‘George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq’. And I did.–Sharm el-Sheikh August 2003
  2. I trust God speaks through me. Without that, I couldn’t do my job.–Statement made during campaign visit to Amish community, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Jul. 9, 2004
  3. I’m also mindful that man should never try to put words in God’s mouth. I mean, we should never ascribe natural disasters or anything else to God. We are in no way, shape, or form should a human being, play God.–Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2005
  4. God loves you, and I love you. And you can count on both of us as a powerful message that people who wonder about their future can hear.–Los Angeles, California, Mar. 3, 2004
  5. I tell people all the time, you’re equally American if you’re a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. You’re equally American if you believe in an Almighty or don’t believe in an Almighty. That’s a sacred freedom.–Washington, D.C., Mar. 10, 2006

Reviewing these quotes, I found that she missed a couple I think are even more important in displaying Bush's belief that he has been chosen by God to lead the country in these times. Here are some additional quotes to add to the set that I found even more telling.

  • At the recent prayer breakfast, Mr. Bush indicated again that he sees himself as an instrument of a higher authority. "Events aren't moved by blind change and chance,'' he said. "Behind all of life and all of history, there's a dedication and purpose, set by the hand of a just and faithful God.'' --Feb. 2003
  • History, according to Bush, is the unfolding of God’s will. “Behind all of life and all of history, there’s a dedication and purpose.”

    In the unfolding of history, God calls on special persons to make history in His righteous name. In a worldview that rests upon providence, the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon are interpreted by many, including members of the Bush administration, as signs from God that Bush is ordained to lead a crusade against evil. “It is a theme which is beginning to emerge from the Bush administration,” writes Julian Borger in The Guardian (1-28-03). “While most people saw the extraordinary circumstances of the 2000 election as a fluke, Bush and his closest supporters saw it as yet another sign he was chosen to lead. Later, September 11 ‘revealed’ what he was there for.” The President said in the State of the Union address, “this call of history has come to the right country.” And, obviously to the right president.

    Members of Bush’s staff believe that God chose their boss to lead the nation through these times. In an editorial published in The Times Union (Albany, NY), on 2-16-03, Deborah Caldwell notes that, after his speech to Congress on September 20, 2001, Bush received a phone call from speechwriter Mike Gerson, who said, “Mr. President, when I saw you on television, I thought—God wanted you there.” Joel Rosenberg, writing for World magazine (10-6-01), quotes Tim Goeglein (deputy director of the White House public liaison) saying, “I think President Bush is God’s man at this hour.”--Faith Matters, March 2003

Nothing like having an egomaniac running the Presidency.

And then there are the people who pander to Bush and stroke his already enormous ego about his greatness and destiny. How about these delightful quotes:

  • "I think Robertson stepped down [as leader of the Christian Coalition is] because the position has already been filled," said Gary Bauer, a religious conservative who challenged Bush in the Republican primary. Bush "is that leader right now. There was already a great deal of identification with the president before 9-11 in the world of the Christian right, and the nature of this war is such that it's heightened the sense that a man of God is in the White House." -- WaPo, Dec 24, 2001
  • The subject of Winston Churchill inspired Bush's self-reflection. The president confided to Roberts that he believes he has an advantage over Churchill, a reliable source with access to the conversation told me. He has faith in God, Bush explained, but Churchill, an agnostic, did not. Because he believes in God, it is easier for him to make decisions and stick to them than it was for Churchill. Bush said he doesn't worry, or feel alone, or care if he is unpopular. He has God. -- Bush & Rove Book Salon, March 2007

We are being led by our very own Jim Jones who knows God acts through him. Worse yet, he is abetted by sycophants who encourage his delusions. Now do you understand why we have been so screwed these past few years?

Posted by Mary at August 14, 2007 12:00 AM | Religion | Technorati links |
Comments