Posted on 11/01/2003 6:34:32 PM PST by 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.
Make that "Liberalsnots", because your statement sums the liberal belief up precisely.
Oh, she believes.
She believes in a dark spirit
that will lead her to victory.
Even Hitler realized that all people
have a need to believe in something.
So he took God from the people and
took God from the schools
and let the people worship him instead.
Hitler knew God existed, just like HIllary knows.
They hate God for being supreme over them.
And the more God works for good,
the harder these kinds of people work
for evil.
The struggle to defeat God may lead
to the ultimate battle here on earth.
The more Good wins,
the more evil fights.
Me too. On the agnostic part and the rest as well.
I also want to second the poster that says that the media wants to attach the word 'controversial' to everything Bush does. They either do not realize, or blithely pretend to be unaware of, the fact that simply calling something controversial makes it more likely to become so. Self-fulfilling prophecy (or self-fulfilling controversy, in this case).
In the Bible it states to pray for people in positions of authority.
I Timothy 2:1 - 6
I Exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may be lead a quiet and peaceable life in all goodness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of GOD our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one GOD, and one mediator between GOD and men, the man Christ JESUS; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
As for faulting Bush for his beliefs that are Bible based - that's hilarious. I don't always agree with his decisions however that is what his beliefs and based ON and shape his OUTWARD leadership - although sometimes I am disappointed in his compromising. Still I'm sure he does the best he can.
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.'
You know, the way the Observer writes about it, Bush and Blair praying is described in as ominious terms that would be more appropriately used for Bill Clinton and a young woman being left alone together.
An extremeist is someone utterly opposed to liberals and they use the Bible as their guide in life. It's not a good thing for the godless so they hate the "extremeists". Evil never likes good people. It pisses them off to no end.
OH MY GOSH THE SKY IS FALLING!
What are we going to DO?
Where's Tommy J when you need him to keep church from mixing with state (head of state)? ???
Who is going to stop this crazy, wacked out, Christian president from mixing it up? Isn't this like unconstitutional or something?
Hey, we almost have a club :-) As a secularist or non-religious person, I don't have much in common with those that feel threatened by Bush's religion and have never viewed it as an "affliction" as many secularists have. Someone here said it came from those who were insecure in their secualrism. I agree. It is also intolerant and uneducated. Possibly because I was raised Baptist (just didn't stick), I understand much of where he is coming from and I don't find it threatening. Those who do are either ignorant or attempting to gain sympathy among their kind by presenting President Bush as a common enemy or threat. He suits this secularist just fine :-)
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