Religious Crossfire Hits the President

The Wall Street Journal ^ | April 21, 2003 | ROBERT L. BARTLEY

[WaveThatFlag]

Easter Monday is an apt time to note that President George W. Bush has been taking darts as a born-again Christian. This tells us something about today's president, and something more about today's religion.

The president comes by his faith, of course, because he stopped drinking and found God at age 40. As a Methodist, he's not exactly a speaking-in-tongues Pentecostal, but he clearly does believe that good and evil walk the world. He also says things such as, "Behind all of life and all of history, there's a dedication and a purpose, set by the hand of a just and faithful God." This comes from the Presidential Prayer Breakfast, where other presidents have said similar things. But both friend and foe have the sense that Mr. Bush really means it.

[rovenstinez]

His personal faith is probably the only thing keeping him right now. I'll tip my hat and salute to that. Makes me feel secure.

[ImpotentRage]

thanks for posting this. Robert Bartley is always so measured and calm in his writings - were there more like him.

[anniegetyourgun]

I'd rather have a president who talks to God rather than pollsters, because 'righteousness exalts a nation.' But in either case, He sets above nations whomever He will.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Holy Cow, Mr. Bush is caught in the crossfire of a religious civil war. These are the voices of liberal Protestantism, which once again finds itself out of step with the pews.

IMHO, our president should switch from his liberal protestant denomination. The leadership in the mainline protestant churches is run by DEMOCRATS who believe in abortions, high taxes, pacificism, non-judgementalism, etc.

[Pietro]

"The science of the Big Bang and DNA looks much more like the work of a creator than the cold world of Newtonian Laws and Darwinian evolution."

This man is obviously not qualified to comment on important issues. Please refrain from posting mythology in the Breaking News forum.

[pgyanke]

Sadly, you'll find very many Democrats on the Catholic side as well...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Sadly, you'll find very many Democrats on the Catholic side as well...

You're right. We know some of them too. I keep asking myself how anybody can believe in the Ten Commandments and be a Democrat.

[RJCogburn]

His personal faith is probably the only thing keeping him right now.

I hope there's more than that.

[JohnnyZ]

How's 'bout we phrase that, "Catholics on the Democrat side", for accuracy.

[RJCogburn]

I keep asking myself how anybody can believe in the Ten Commandments and be a Democrat.

Any particular Commandment in mind?

[RooRoobird14]

I'd rather have a president who talks to God rather than pollsters

Amen

Let's all recall one more time who proceeded our wonderful President Bush:

An abortion activist who is also a serial adulterer/molester, probably raped at least one woman, and was literally having oral sex and oral/anal sex in the Oval Office.........but he did carry his Bible to church on Sundays when the cameras were rolling.

[WaveThatFlag]

This man is obviously not qualified to comment on important issues. Please refrain from posting mythology in the Breaking News forum.

(A) This article was not posted in the "Breaking News forum," dumbass.

(B) What is it that you find so offensive about the idea that the scientific mechanisms that created the universe were Divinely inspired?

[RooRoobird14]

Hmmmmm.....now that I re-read my post, change "proceeded" to "preceded". Nothing like proof-reading after the fact.....

[Sonnyw]

I am a Humanist and Agnostic, but Bush's religious foundation is one of the reasons I voted for him (Al "Earth In The Balance" Gore was too stupid). At least I know where he stands and I have the First Amendment to protect me from his overzealous religiosity. As I suspected might happen, the different Christian sects are fighting for Bush's ear and his pen.

My greater concern is America's religious projections on the world. Are we headed for a new Christian crusade in which millions will be slaughtered in the name of "the lamb of God" (I think this is another one of Jesus' names)? Islam is just as evil as Christianity in wishing hell on non-believers, so where's the difference between these two monotheistic regimes?

Part of Bush's foreign policy needs to be a "hands off" attitude regarding religious missionaries and religious schools. Only with this sort of action can we justify calling Islamic brainwashing/madrases evil. For instance, using our military to save Christian missionaries who abuse the local country's ban against proselytizing is just plain wrong. Let them die for their "Lord," but don't take actions leading the world to believe that America sanctions their religious activities.

There's lots more on this subject to discuss, but I'll close now by saying that all of America is in the religious crossfires.

[pgyanke]

I'll treat your post seriously because you seem genuine in your beliefs...

Are we headed for a new Christian crusade in which millions will be slaughtered in the name of "the lamb of God" (I think this is another one of Jesus' names)? Islam is just as evil as Christianity in wishing hell on non-believers, so where's the difference between these two monotheistic regimes?

You are sadly misinformed about Christianity. We do not "wish" Hell on anyone. In fact, our charge is to pray for the redemption of our enemies. Can we truly have the love we say we have for you and not correct you when you're wrong? Aside from the kooks and megalomaniacs that make up all walks of life, you don't find Christians murdering those with whom they disagree.

Contrast this with the Muslims. Like the Christians, they seek your conversion. Unlike the Christians, they demand it at the point of a sword. Like the Christians, they believe their faith is the one way to Heaven. Unlike the Christians, they will cheerfully send you on your way to the afterlife. Like the Christians, they preach religious tolerance. Unlike the Christians, they only tolerate those who share their faith.

There have been a lot of comparisons in the post 9/11 world to say that "religion itself" is the cause of problems in the world. Not so. The problems begin with fallable people taking the mantle of religious leadership to further political objectives. They end when those in power defer their personal glory for the glory of God.

[bankwalker]

Does anyone know of an accurate resource that describes the different denominations of Christianity? I will be forever grateful for some direction.

Thanx in advance.

[AndrewC]

Amen!

[pgyanke]

Part of Bush's foreign policy needs to be a "hands off" attitude regarding religious missionaries and religious schools. Only with this sort of action can we justify calling Islamic brainwashing/madrases evil. For instance, using our military to save Christian missionaries who abuse the local country's ban against proselytizing is just plain wrong. Let them die for their "Lord," but don't take actions leading the world to believe that America sanctions their religious activities.

These people aren't extreme sportsmen who need to be rescued from their own folly. They are missionaries who provide basic necessities for local populations. Yes, they prosletyze but they do so with education, food, shelter and medicine to a needy population. Like it or not, they are part of our compassionate face to the world (even yours), part of our foreign policy and worthy of our respect and protection.