[whee0071]

The issue remains, is God using Bush, or is Bush using God? Certainly Christ's glory will not be denied, but it's also much better to be on His side when the glory is being made manifest.

Are we discerning truth, or are we just seeing what we want to see since the alternative (Kerry, Democrats, Liberalism) is so awful anyway? Can a man yielded God describe Islam as a great religion? Well, yes, in the context of it being a popular religion of vast system and scope...but is that the context? What do you make of this inclusion of the Koran in his inaugural address:

"In Americas ideal of freedom, the public interest depends on private character on integrity, and tolerance toward others, and the rule of conscience in our own lives. Self-government relies, in the end, on the governing of the self. That edifice of character is built in families, supported by communities with standards, and sustained in our national life by the truths of Sinai, the Sermon on the Mount, the words of the Koran, and the varied faiths of our people. Americans move forward in every generation by reaffirming all that is good and true that came before ideals of justice and conduct that are the same yesterday, today, and forever."

I may be entirely off-base, I don't pretend to have any answers, and I certainly don't want to contribute undue division. However, I do think that we need to take a more critical look at this man, because--like it or not--he has in many ways become a figurehead for modern Christianity in our country.

[i_dont_chat]

You said:
"However, I do think that we need to take a more critical look at this man, because--like it or not--he has in many ways become a figurehead for modern Christianity in our country."


President Bush is like a breathe of fresh air to me!

[spycatcher]

The speech sounded like it may have been written in consultation with "Christian Philosophist" Rick Warren or the local Masonic Lodge.

Nice religious language...but too bad it wasn't Christian.

[Taggart_D]

However, I do think that we need to take a more critical look at this man, because--like it or not--he has in many ways become a figurehead for modern Christianity in our country.

Eh? Any Christian knows that Christ is the head of the church; Bush a figurehead? To who? This is the BOLDEST speech I've heard since Reagan said "Tear down this wall."

Bush's speech addresses the moral direction of this country and reminds us that as Americans we will stand for what is morally right. I think Noonan and the like don't enjoy hearing that because they know that taking this kind of stand comes with a cost....and I think deep down in Noonan she does not believe that Americans can do it....so she blames it on God.

[keats5]

"What do you make of this inclusion of the Koran in his inaugural address"

I bristled when I heard the Koran mentioned as an "edifice of character." It seemed like he really compromised his beliefs to be PC, like when the Pope kissed the Koran.

However, I'm also reminded of Paul's Mars Hill address (Acts 17; 22-33), where he used the Athenians' alter "to an unknown God" to teach about the one true God. I've also heard of Christians who have reached Islamic believers by starting with the Koran. One can say that the Koran has some teachings about integrity and character, even though the book has fatal flaws.

Still, I wished he hadn't even mentioned the Koran.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

It is not religion and it really has little to do with his Christianity. It is pure political philosophy. That is why he could so easily include the Koran. He is just saying that religion and morality are the supports of free government, public interests DEPEND on private morality. This has been said many different ways throughout our history. It is THE crux, the crucial point, of our liberty. It is not about his personal religion. He included the Koran so that everyone would know IT WAS NOT ABOUT HIS PERSONAL RELIGION.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

BTW, my caps were for emphasis and do not denote shouting.

You have to remember that this is not about Christianity. It is about political philosophy. What he said in that area is very solid. It would not stand up in sunday school, but there is no reason to think it should.