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Avid faith may hamper presidential decisionmaking
The Deseret News ^ | 2/16/2003 | Paul R. Henggeler

Posted on 02/16/2003 5:28:44 PM PST by Utah Girl

"There is only one reason I am in the Oval Office and not in a bar," President Bush once reportedly said. "I found faith. I found God. I'm here because of the power of prayer." Prior to his conversion, Bush enjoyed beer and parties, had brushes with the law, and was a chronic underachiever. As president, he cites Jesus as the "political philosopher" who most influences him. He says he consults the Bible for political advice.

We now learn from "The Right Man: The Surprise Presidency of George W. Bush," a new book by ex-speechwriter and conservative thinker David Frum, that White House advisers attend Bible study groups not because they are required to but because they are expected to. According to Frum, Evangelicalism has made some policymakers "the gentlest souls, the most patient, the least argumentative."

Following Bill Clinton's failure in character, some Americans may find assurance in a president who turns to the Bible to become a better person. Indeed, Bush laces his most newsworthy speeches with biblical references. He identifies America with the forces of good as he battles "the axis of Evil." Most recently, the loss of the Columbia shuttle inspired a quote from the prophet Isaiah.

Whatever faith's actual influence on policymaking may be, however, it offers no guarantee for effective decisions. Indeed, history suggests that strict religious doctrine can lead to black-and-white reasoning, especially during war.

A devout Presbyterian, Woodrow Wilson believed God ordained him to be president. "God save us from compromise," he once noted. "He who is not with me is against me." He defined America's entrance into the Great War as a moral crusade from which good must arise.

During the Senate debate over America's joining the League of Nations, Wilson emerged a tragic figure, preferring defeat over modestly accommodating his political opponents. One does not compromise with God. Likewise, Herbert Hoover's Quaker faith in community volunteerism proved wholly inadequate in treating the catastrophic problems of the Great Depression.

The faith upon which our most admired presidents drew strength was usually more ambiguous than Bush's and balanced with a rich humanity. Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt both knew the Scriptures and saw history as the working out of God's will. Neither were avid church goers.

For both men, faith was a private, personal matter that rejected dogma. Eleanor Roosevelt once asked her husband if he was convinced of the truth of Christian doctrine. "I never really thought much about it," he said. "I think it is just as well not to think about things like that too much."

For Lincoln, humor, usually at his own expense, comforted him most. One of his favorite stories involved a conversation between two women. "I think that Jefferson Davis will succeed," one said. "Why does thee think so?" asked the second. "Because Jefferson is a praying man," replied the first. "And so is Abraham a praying man," the second responded. "Yes," lamented the first, "but the Lord will think Abraham is joking."

God, even one as ironic as Lincoln's, has long occupied the White House. But presidential Bible study is new and potentially risky. Less "spiritual" advisers could become marginalized, their input lost in a moralistic haze. Frum writes that he felt alienated upon hearing a colleague being gently reproached for missing Bible study.

Issues run the risk of becoming simplified as good or evil. A missionary zeal can create a belief system resistant to outside facts and information. However noble the gentle, non-combative temperament of Evangelicals may be, decisionmaking sometimes requires passionate disagreement.

Lyndon Johnson's un-Christian-like deviousness helped persuade legislators to pass the most important civil rights bills since Reconstruction. This was the same president who drove reporters around his Texas ranch, holding a beer in one hand while using his Stetson to cover the speedometer.

Everyone wants to feel uncomplicated resolve. But sociological studies on the nature of professional conduct in organizational settings suggest that leaders who rely on religious templates when making decisions are less likely to make good decisions than those who consult experienced authority.

As many presidents can attest, even experts can be wrong. But the Bible would have offered President John F. Kennedy little practical guidance in removing Soviet missiles from Cuba. Instead, he turned to Barbara Tuchman's book "The Guns of August," mindful of avoiding the blundering misjudgments that sparked World War I.

In weighing the momentous options over Iraq, the best question asked might not be what would Jesus do, but what might our best presidents have advised? God will hopefully serve Bush well. But he might leave room for humility, the lessons of history and his often heralded instincts, street-smarts and common sense.


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Is it on the talking points from the DNC to question President Bush's wisdom in using faith related speech and quotes. This is the fourth or fifth article I have run across in the past couple of days, whining that it is causing divisiveness.
1 posted on 02/16/2003 5:28:44 PM PST by Utah Girl
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To: Utah Girl
You may be right. I have seen this tactic lately too.
Looks like the Dems will stop at nothing to try to
undermine our President.
2 posted on 02/16/2003 5:34:33 PM PST by 2rightsleftcoast
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To: Utah Girl
All one has to do is look at Clinton, Carter and Johnson, three of America's worst presidents, to know what praying at the golden calf of liberalism produces.

Bush is already one of America's greatest presidents and his first term isn't even over yet.
3 posted on 02/16/2003 5:34:38 PM PST by republicman
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To: fortheDeclaration; winstonchurchill; ShadowAce; P-Marlowe; Revelation 911; The Grammarian; ...
Christian ping folks

Sounds like something we can all sink our teeth into
4 posted on 02/16/2003 5:34:47 PM PST by xzins (.Babylon - You've been weighed in the balance and been found wanting.)
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To: Utah Girl
"God will hopefully serve Bush well."

I'd rather that Bush serve God well. Leave it to the media dunces to characterize God as a cosmic bellhop to the President.

5 posted on 02/16/2003 5:37:30 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: xzins
I'm done.
6 posted on 02/16/2003 5:38:38 PM PST by anniegetyourgun
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To: Utah Girl
I know that Bush's decision making to this point is sound and if is because of his faith then so much the better.

How refreshing to have a leader who's philosophy and decision making has a moral foundation.

Most of this bleating is originating from the Secular Socialists of Europe and now being echoed by the "useful idiots" in the American Media.

Europe's worst nightmare; "A Cowboy With a Cross".

7 posted on 02/16/2003 5:39:10 PM PST by Mike Darancette (s)
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To: anniegetyourgun
Well said. Thanks.
8 posted on 02/16/2003 5:39:51 PM PST by Utah Girl
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To: Utah Girl
Dont you know that it is a violation of church and state for a conservative to read or quote Bible verses or say anything about God....if a liberal does it fine and dandy.. !
9 posted on 02/16/2003 5:43:21 PM PST by anncoulteriscool
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To: Utah Girl
bump
10 posted on 02/16/2003 5:44:06 PM PST by LiteKeeper
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To: xzins
This is so weird. I had just read this on the main forum and started to post that sadly I'm seeing posts like these here on FR and in the religious forum of all places. I decided not to post and start anything though and then you pinged me back. Oh well, yall remember that I did TRY to hold my peace. :')
11 posted on 02/16/2003 5:44:16 PM PST by CindyDawg
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To: Utah Girl
Funny that the writer uses Johnson as an example of an effective president.

Franklin, of course, is the guy that failed to end the Depression in two terms as president, failed to prepare us for war despite 8 years of fair warning. Sent Jewish refugees to their deaths. Opposed anti-lynching laws. Agreed to the partition of Europe.
12 posted on 02/16/2003 5:45:21 PM PST by marron
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To: anniegetyourgun
God will hopefully serve Bush well.

I highlighted the same sentence. I believe he does serve the Lord well, and am comforted knowing that he does look to Him for guidance and wisdom. The thought of my president on his knees every morning before the God of the Universe is awesome.

Our job is to continue praying for him daily. I'm SO thankful he is our President at this time in history.

13 posted on 02/16/2003 5:47:01 PM PST by mombonn
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To: Utah Girl
IMHO a Bible-based President is exactly what this country needs at the moment. Though I would certainly disagree with compulsory Bible study attendence by White House staff, it is good to know that some there take the time to study it.

The writer seems to suggest that evangelicals are the namby-pamby sort, who could react to a changing world if only they weren't paralyzed by their rigid, dogmatic, belief system.

Horse-puckey

The Bible is a profound source of wisdom that is timeless and adaptable to any circumstance---including the current crisis.

It is the secular left that is paralyzed to the point of inaction.

Brian.

14 posted on 02/16/2003 5:47:19 PM PST by bzrd
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To: anncoulteriscool
Our fine ex-prexy Sick Willie Clintoon carried about a Bible weighing about 25 pounds.

The greater the moral dilemma in which Willie was involved, the heavier the Bible he toted.

Never read, of course.
15 posted on 02/16/2003 5:47:38 PM PST by Ole Okie
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To: Utah Girl
"Lyndon Johnson's un-Christian-like deviousness helped persuade legislators to pass the most important civil rights bills since Reconstruction.

What a line of crap....remember...it was the REPUBLICAN'S who got the CIVIL RIGHTS BILL passed.....not a "devious" President lacking Christian morals...the Republicans had the MORALS to do what was right....the rest of them were morally bankrupt. (And many still are.)

16 posted on 02/16/2003 5:48:32 PM PST by goodnesswins (Thank the Military for your freedom and security....and thank a Rich person for jobs.)
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To: Utah Girl
Avid faith may hamper presidential decisionmaking [sic]

This is moronic on the face of it. Everyone has a set of beliefs about life that shapes his decision-making, presidential or otherwise. What this title really means is, "If you don't believe what I want you to believe, then you won't make decisions in the fashion that I want you to make them."
17 posted on 02/16/2003 5:49:14 PM PST by aruanan
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To: Utah Girl
This really is the merde du jour.......

Please pardon my French.........gag.........cough.........sputter.........

18 posted on 02/16/2003 5:50:08 PM PST by Siobhan († Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet †)
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To: Utah Girl
"But the Bible would have offered President John F. Kennedy little practical guidance in removing Soviet missiles from Cuba."

It seems to me that another Cuban missile crisis is exactly what we're trying to avoid.
19 posted on 02/16/2003 5:51:28 PM PST by Chi-townChief
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To: Utah Girl
Everyone wants to feel uncomplicated resolve. But sociological studies on the nature of professional conduct in organizational settings suggest that leaders who rely on religious templates when making decisions are less likely to make good decisions than those who consult experienced authority.

I suppose this means that the writer does not consider God an experienced authority?!?

20 posted on 02/16/2003 5:53:31 PM PST by the_Watchman
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