Posted on 12/05/2002 3:37:52 PM PST by TLBSHOW
By SCOTT LINDLAW, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - With Muslims worldwide growing more suspicious of the United States, President Bush (news - web sites) marked the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with a visit Thursday to a mosque.
"The spirit behind this holiday is a reminder that Islam brings hope and comfort to more than 1 billion people worldwide," Bush said. "Islam affirms God's justice and insists on man's moral responsibility."
Bush left his shoes at the door, in keeping with the practice of the Islamic Center of Washington, a national center for Muslim culture and prayer. He also had visited six days after the terrorist attacks last year.
Back then, with a surge in hate crimes against Muslims in the United States, Bush was trying to defuse Americans' anger against Islam. Today, he has a different problem — increased hostility by Muslims around the world against America.
In an international survey released Wednesday, the Pew Global Attitudes Project found the image of the United States is slipping worldwide, and particularly in Middle Eastern countries with large Muslim populations. Large percentages of Muslim respondents in several countries said they believe suicide bomb attacks are a justifiable defense of Islam.
On Wednesday, Bush blamed America's tarnished image among Muslims on "propaganda machines (that) are cranked up in the international community that paints our country in a bad light."
The growing animosity comes at a time when Bush is trying to rally the world against terrorism and gather allies for possible military action against Iraq.
Inside the ornate mosque, Bush offered an explanation of the Muslim feast of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and renewed his defense of Islam.
Bush's speech was directed to a national and international audience. There was virtually no one inside except journalists and his staff. A few mosque officials stood next to Bush as he spoke.
"Over the past month, Muslims have fasted, taking no food or water during daylight hours, in order to refocus their minds on faith and redirect their hearts to charity," Bush said.
"Muslims worldwide have stretched out a hand of mercy to those in need, charity tables at which the poor can break their fast line the streets of cities and towns, and gifts of food and clothing and money are distributed to ensure that all share in God's abundance," he said.
From the Muslim event, Bush officially opened the Christmas season at the White House by lighting a Christmas tree just outside the gates.
Got a frog in your pocket?
Here's another saying:
"A witty saying proves nothing."
-- Voltaire
Big bump.
And I said:
Though the Founders may have been Christian and that fact is reflected in our system of law they effectively gave all religions equality, legitimacy and equal protection with the first amendment.
Honestly, I am probably one of the only people on FR who would love to live in a Christian Theocracy. I think it's the highest standard for society.
Unfortunately men are inherently corrupt and thus are incapable of implementing or administrating such a society. History is full of their failed attempts.
The founders decision to short circuit man's corruption was (imo) the proper choice. It equalizes all religions in the eyes of the state and as such should be no suprise that the words of the President reflect this.
Of course they aren't equal in God's eyes, and I don't think Dubya is implying that. (After all, he did profess to be a Christian during the campaign) It's just this way we don't all have to kill each other over it.
Again, I disagree. Congress is not supposed to make a law establishing a church, or restricting people's free practice. That is all. Many states had official churches at the Founding. Congress even appropriated money to print Bibles.
The 1st amendment provides protection for all religions, but nowhere did the Founders ask our political leaders to treat all religions as equally true and legitimate. We are simply to refrain from persecuting them. This is the Christian thing to do. We can live at peace with others while vigorously evangelizing them.
But clearly the Constitution does not require the President to publicly acknowledge Islam as co-equal, nor does it force him to engage in their ceremonies.
The Founders assumed, or hoped, that Christianity would remain the chief influence within government, and that Christians would be salt and light in the halls of power.
I would submit that a country is on its way down when its leaders cannot, or are not allowed to, discern between what is clearly true and what is clearly not, and judge accordingly.
Thankfully, the only time you will live under a Theocracy is when Jesus Christ returns to rule.
Yes. That's Equal protection and inherent legitimacy as far as the Constitution is concerned.
No, Dubya is not required to alter his personal view of Islam, honor it or do anything outside protect it in law as stipulated by the Constitution.
Poignant observations worth considering by the Bush Administration IF they can get beyond this Saudi fetish.
Ahem..."Lighting" the White House Christmas Tree, a pagan symbol of "life," is hardly a religious observation as is the Menorah Lighting, while Dubya clearly praised the tenets of Islam as a religion.
But here's a suggestion to Dubya: If you can praise Islam as the "Religion of Peace," you shouldn't have much of a problem praising 'Christianity' as the "Religion of the Truth and the Light.
I trust that since you believe that the Christmas tree is still pagan and therefore non-Christian, that you do not have one in your home.
And for your information, I do not believe that Islam is anything but a false religion. I am a Christian who believes in salvation through Christ.
However, I do not expect that the President should state so from his position as leader of all of America. He is the President of Muslim and Jewish Americans as well as my President, and yours.
The point is, as symbolism goes, the Christmas Tree is not "Christian."
"And for your information, I do not believe that Islam is anything but a false religion. I am a Christian who believes in salvation through Christ."
Amen Sister...
"However, I do not expect that the President should state so from his position as leader of all of other America. He is the President of Muslim and Jewish Americans as well as my President, and yours."
Agreed. OTOH if the President is going to praise Islam in a religious context, it is expected for him to do so with ALL religions as well, but thus opening up a can of worms.
Moreover, if there is any God that ought to praised at the WH, there is our Founding Fathers' historical precedence that it is the God of the Bible who should be praised. NOT some pagan moon god.
No, he's the president of ALL the American people, not just the Christians. Unless you want to live in the Christian equivalant of Iran.
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