In truth, Bush mentioned God infrequently in the 21-minute address. Instead, the text was larded with phrases and allusions that would resonate with believers of several faiths. In speaking of "a day of fire," Bush was describing the 2001 terrorist attacks in language commonly associated in Christianity with Judgment Day, according to Deborah Caldwell, senior editor at Beliefnet, an online magazine about religion and values.
"It had so much layered meaning," Caldwell said, noting there is also a Christian rock band called Day of Fire.
The phrase "ennobled by service and mercy and a heart for the weak" was aimed at Catholics, whose liturgy and prayers often use such language, Caldwell noted. Catholics also would recognize Bush's use of the phrase "human dignity," which is a term Pope John Paul II frequently uses in speaking against abortion and euthanasia.
A memorable line from Bush noted that "no one is fit to be a master and no one deserves to be a slave," a reference to the Apostle Paul, who said in the Bible that there is "no slave or free" and all are one under Christ.
Declaring that "evil is real," Bush gave a nod to Evangelicals and others who disdain moral relativism, Caldwell said.
When he alluded to "the truths of Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount, the words of the Quran, and the varied faiths of our people," Caldwell said, Bush was moving "seamlessly to liberal God-talk that will soothe modern Americans and will thrill the nation's Muslims."
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/3003570
Very interesting piece..and more balanced than I would have expected. Thanks!
I bet that was a last-minute insertion to take a crack at Barbara Boxer and Robert Byrd for their ill treatment of Condi Rice at the hearings.