Born Again. The greatest free pass in American Politics
Do you know what Bush has going for him that he never gets questioned on?
The magical personal history eraser called being "Born Again"
It works so well that nobody questions it in the mainstream press.
Everything bad that he did before his conversion is effectively gone in the eyes of the believers. Past lies, drug and drinking abuse, patterns of behavior and immoral actions vanish with the speaking of the magic words, "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal lord and Savior".
Here is yet another of the problems with the Christian Right pushing Christianity as the official state religion. It might be good for them, but it’s not good for America.
If you simply say you are born again, everything is forgiven. People who aren't believers aren't permitted to attack the man for his past. If they do, then they are not letting him have his freedom of religion.
Since Bush has made his faith the centerpiece of his campaign can we attack his Christianity? Just how good of a Christian is he? By whose standards do we measure? His official church? His buddies in the study group in Crawford? The MDivs and Ph.Ds at the Pacific School of Religion at the Graduate Theological Union?
What judgment of his faith can others hold him to? Like “cafeteria Christians” Bush has selected and defined for himself what it means to be Christian as something that never holds him accountability for external acts. Again he has a get out of criticism free card in an area that he has defined as important in his presidency.
All he has to do is show himself praying (note the recent story about him the kneeling in the Oval Office, it plants the seed of piousness at the same time evokes Monica). He drops the phrase "I talk to God all the time". He has the right wing religious patter down, but what are his actions?
We are not able to examine the content of his soul, but we can see the results of his actions and they do not reflect what Christ professed.
Bush should not have it both ways with his Christian base. Either he is a good Christian doing what Christ tells us to do, or he is a War President. Bush should either use the New Testament, including the part about taking care of the poor, the hungry and those in jail, or he shouldn't. And if he doesn’t he should be called on it by people of faith.
Oh, he can pull out the "I'm a sinner" line a few times, but after awhile that shouldn't work for the Christian's either.
Another problem with examining his religiosity is that if you are not one of the faithful you are supposedly not allowed to comment on it.
It is a wonderful position for Bush to be and all he has to do is drop a few code words and have a few photo ops with him on his knees.
The magical personal history eraser called being "Born Again"
It works so well that nobody questions it in the mainstream press.
Everything bad that he did before his conversion is effectively gone in the eyes of the believers. Past lies, drug and drinking abuse, patterns of behavior and immoral actions vanish with the speaking of the magic words, "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal lord and Savior".
Here is yet another of the problems with the Christian Right pushing Christianity as the official state religion. It might be good for them, but it’s not good for America.
If you simply say you are born again, everything is forgiven. People who aren't believers aren't permitted to attack the man for his past. If they do, then they are not letting him have his freedom of religion.
Since Bush has made his faith the centerpiece of his campaign can we attack his Christianity? Just how good of a Christian is he? By whose standards do we measure? His official church? His buddies in the study group in Crawford? The MDivs and Ph.Ds at the Pacific School of Religion at the Graduate Theological Union?
What judgment of his faith can others hold him to? Like “cafeteria Christians” Bush has selected and defined for himself what it means to be Christian as something that never holds him accountability for external acts. Again he has a get out of criticism free card in an area that he has defined as important in his presidency.
All he has to do is show himself praying (note the recent story about him the kneeling in the Oval Office, it plants the seed of piousness at the same time evokes Monica). He drops the phrase "I talk to God all the time". He has the right wing religious patter down, but what are his actions?
We are not able to examine the content of his soul, but we can see the results of his actions and they do not reflect what Christ professed.
Bush should not have it both ways with his Christian base. Either he is a good Christian doing what Christ tells us to do, or he is a War President. Bush should either use the New Testament, including the part about taking care of the poor, the hungry and those in jail, or he shouldn't. And if he doesn’t he should be called on it by people of faith.
Oh, he can pull out the "I'm a sinner" line a few times, but after awhile that shouldn't work for the Christian's either.
Another problem with examining his religiosity is that if you are not one of the faithful you are supposedly not allowed to comment on it.
It is a wonderful position for Bush to be and all he has to do is drop a few code words and have a few photo ops with him on his knees.
3 Comments:
"He has the right wing religious patter down, but what are his actions?"
That's the beauty of it all for him. His actions don't matter any more. If you accept that god is good and you accept that god wants George Bush to be President, then he's your man no matter what the hell he does. Or has ever done!
I live across the street from a Christian School (and polling place). I haven't figured out exactly what I'm putting up on my lawn (which faces the entrance) in support for Kerry, but you gave me save good food for thought. Thanks.
Thanks for posting! I would think about using either Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
or Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.
Bush had a war of choice. You can claim you are doing the right thing as a president to kill others, but it's kind of tough to be calling yourself a good Christian when you sent 10's of thousands of people to their deaths, EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO STOP MORE DEATHS.
I just read a posting at www.raptureready.com in which they said that you should vote republican. If that helps you any (BTW, check out the movie "The Rapture" with Mimi Rodgers and David Ducvney truly creepy.)
If the Rapture happens I'm looking forward to driving a bunch of really cool Christian cars.
Thanks for great article, have sent it on. Amazing that being born again allows Bush to negate his ugly past. More politicians should do this!! Kinda like an instant reset button.
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