Bush says God chose him to lead his nation

The Observer (U.K.) ^ | 11/02/03 | Paul Harris

[Pokey78]

Book reveals how President's religious and political beliefs are entwined - and claims he did pray with Blair

President George W. Bush stood before a cheering crowd at a Dallas Christian youth centre last week, and told them about being 'born again' as a Christian.

'If you change their heart, then they change their behaviour. I know,' he said, referring to his own conversion, which led to him giving up drinking.

Behind Bush were two banners. 'King of Kings', proclaimed one. 'Lord of Lords', said the other. The symbolism of how fervent Christianity has become deeply entwined with the most powerful man on the planet could not have been stronger.

Few US Presidents have been as openly religious as Bush. Now a new book has lifted the lid on how deep those Christian convictions run. It will stir up controversy at a time when the administration is keen to portray its 'war on terror' as non-religious.

The book, which depicts a President who prays each day and believes he is on a direct mission from God, will give ammunition to critics who claim Bush's administration is heavily influenced by extremist Christians.

Bush is already under fire for allowing the appointment of General William Boykin to head the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Boykin, who speaks at evangelical Christian meetings, once said the war on terror was a fight against Satan, and also told a Somali warlord that, 'My God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol.'

Bush has also been accused of a 'creeping Christianisation' of federal government programmes. In September, the government made more than $60 billion available for religious charitable groups. Critics say the groups will be able to use the cash to promote their religion. One group that benefited from previous grants was an Iowa prison project that entitled inmates to televisions, private bathrooms and computers - in return for Christian counselling.

Now Bush is likely to face intense scrutiny. The book, The Faith of George W. Bush, was written by Christian author Stephen Mansfield. It details numerous incidents where Bush's faith has been shown to be at the centre of his political thinking.

Among Mansfield's revelations is his insistence that Bush and Tony Blair have prayed together at a private meeting at Camp David. Blair has previously denied this.

Mansfield, however, says that, while there were no witnesses, aides were left in little doubt as to what had happened. He told The Observer: 'There is no question they have shared scripture and prayed together.'

The book also shows that in the lead-up to announcing his candidacy for the presidency, Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a premonition of some form of national disaster happening.

Bush said to James Robinson: 'I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants me to do it.'

In another incident, Mansfield recounts how, on Palm Sunday last year, Bush was flying back from El Salvador aboard the presidential jet Air Force One and seemed to be destined to miss church.

However, knowing that Bush hated to miss a service, some officials suggested they worship in the air. Bush agreed, and soon 40 officials were crammed into the plane's conference room. The service was led by National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, while the lesson was read by close Bush aide Karen Hughes.

The author also proves anecdotes about Bush that had previously been dismissed as false. Rumours that he had prayed with a young soldier who had lost a hand in Iraq were thought to be myth, but Mansfield tracked down witnesses and a hospital chaplain who said that Bush had prayed with the man, ending by kissing him on the forehead and telling him he loved him. 'For me, that sums up Bush's beliefs. He really believes Jesus is taken up in his heart and soul,' Mansfield said.

· A woman rammed a car carrying her children, aged three, five and eight, into a building where Bush was campaigning in Mississippi yesterday. Betina Mixon, 29, was dragged away at gunpoint and charged with aggravated assault.

[Pokey78]

A Christian American President is more threatening to the Eurosnots than militant Islamic radicals who want to destroy freedom and send the world back to the 10th century.

[John Beresford Tipton]

LOL:
"in the lead-up to announcing his candidacy for the presidency, Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a premonition of some form of national disaster happening."

Ya think the author might want to rephrase that?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Democrats and Eurocrats have chosen their side. The Islamist side. Christianity is enemy #1 for these people. Our military is #2.

[rwfromkansas]

hmmm.

[Bob]

...Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a premonition of some form of national disaster happening."

Yeah, that wasn't a premonition, it was a perception.

The premonition was the potential of an Algore presidency.

[gcruse]

Heck, they're all Christians. Some just more so that others. Can you imagine an atheist even being nominated?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

It seems as though every time the President reaches out to Muslims, there is a counter attack to overshadow his actions.

I think that he comes out on the short side of these sparring matches.

The fact is that there is a worldwide political movement against Christianity. Why deny it?

[Prodigal Son]

The service was led by National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice

That must terrify some people... LOL... Just LOL. Imagine if it scared 'em enough to make 'em pray...

[gcruse]

Why deny it?

Because to admit it, we will have to fight it.
We don't have to stomach to do whatever
is necessary to defend the country.

[nightowl]

I am reading "The Faith of George W. Bush" by Stephen Mansfield right now. I am finishing the first chapter, but it is very comforting to me to have a Godly man in the White House. Contrary to what the left-wing extremists think, the vast majority of Americans are comforted as well. The book is a great read so far.

[Prodigal Son]

Can you imagine an atheist even being nominated?

Well, they pretend to be Christians- which in my book is even worse than not being good Christians. No way is Hillary a believer. I find it very hard to believe that Bill is either.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

Praise GOD that...

LOVE is the Only Reality and that...

GOD is LOVE.

---

Praise GOD that...

BUSH has promised during a BUSH Presidency FREEDOM's Return to:

Communist Cuba
Communist Vietnam
Communist North Vietnam

...as our own best Self-Defense against future Terrorist Attacks.

---

Praise GOD that Little ELIAN's forced trip back to Communist Cuba turned 75,000 Cuban-American Florida Votes over to BUSH in Election Year 2000, giving him the American Presidency.

---

GOD is GOOD

[rovenstinez]

Nice Post Pokey 78

[kayak]

It will stir up controversy at a time when the administration is keen to portray its 'war on terror' as non-religious.

The media just have to stick the word controversy into everything they write about this man. They would probably find it 'controversial' if it was learned that he puts his right shoe on first .... sheesh!

[Arpege92]

Hillary a believer? I doubt it too but doesn't she talk to dead former first ladies?

[OldFriend]

The leftists were so much more comfortable with a man who carried his bible openly, went to church VERY publicly, held prayer meetings in the White House in an effort to fool the public into thinking he was repenting for his sins.

They shared in the joke on those who thought X42 was sincere!

[resistmuch]

What's wrong with Bush praying with this young soldier? Is this supposed to be some kind of problem?

[winker]

If that is the case then by all means do just that. Lead us away from the muslim religion ....islam and begin from your knees and ask forgiveness for the error of your ways that has the potential to destroy this Nation you are mandated to save. We are watching to see how well you follow Jehovah Giria's orders! He does not find this amusing so get with it! We will be waiting for you to catch up with the rest of us!

[muddypaws]

there has been a war against all Christianity since the death of Christ

[faithincowboys]

The gratuitous inclusion of the incident in Mississippi is hysterical. These people are so funny. I wonder what the author wants us to think about that.