Bush is Blasted For Calling On Faith During Hard Times

The Indianapolis Star ^ | February 19, 2003 | Andrea Neal

[RAT Patrol]

The campaign to purge America of religious values and imagery rolls on. The latest strike came last week when two "renowned theologians" complained about President Bush's frequent references to faith in his public comments.

During an audio news conference on Feb. 11, Princeton University Professor of Religion Elaine Pagels and C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance Foundation, described Bush's use of religious language as reckless, divisive and destructive.

[votelife]

at the 2000 Republican convention: "I believe in grace because I've seen it, and peace because I've felt it, and forgiveness because I've needed it."

According to liberal speak, presidents either aren't allowed to actually believe this, or if they do, they CERTAINLY aren't allowed to actually TALK about it!!!!

[Question_Assumptions]

I've read a few of Pagels' books. I didn't realize she was such a nitwit. I guess being in Princeton will do that to you...

[TXBubba]

Gaddy and Pagels have fancy credentials (a press release describes Pagels as "an authority on the concept of evil")

How appropriate.

[ken5050]

Well, she DID write the definitive book on Satan. Ya wonder?

[JonH]

There was some cleric on O'Reilly on Tuesday bitching about the fact he felt GW's religious beliefs were becoming a problem under the separation or church and state dogma. What a twit!

I prefer GW's belief in and reliance on his God for guidance to X42's reliance on latest Dick Morris push poll.

[onedoug]

God grant President Bush the strength within himself to know the Way, the Light and the Truth.

And grant me a sanctimonious way of thinking that these so-called "theologians" should shove it.

[TexanToTheCore]

I think we have here some of the Post-modern Deconstructionists who litter our departments of Religion. Pay no attention.

[EternalVigilance]

Said Pagels, "The president uses moral language to simply shut down political discourse."

They are simply admitting their utter inability to counter Truth.

Too bad.

[Wait4Truth]

I just sent a grateful email to the writer of this article. Thanks for posting it!

[r9etb]

Well, it's just another typical example.

This has little or nothing to do with Bush's faith. Pagels and Gaddy clearly don't like Bush anyway, and they're simply bashing him on the subject in which they're supposedly experts. They're using religion to make a political point, thereby to lead folks astray.

These are the foks Jesus warned us about: I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. (John 10:1)

[Wait4Truth]

Ari Fleisher was asked about the President's religious speech the other day. Ari told the reporter that the President would continue to speak as he does because this is what he believes. Hehehe...the media and the Bush-haters will not win this one.

[Wait4Truth]

Thought maybe you guys and gals would like to send an email thanking the author of this article. Come read it - you'll like it!

[Bahbah]

"The president uses moral language to simply shut down political discourse."

In fact, this statement is utterly false. The president is perfectly willing to engage in political discourse with anyone. Don't tell me they don't talk politics at those prayer breakfasts. This is an extremely stupid statement. Now let me tell you how I really feel. LOL

[fiscal_fish]

"When you use religious language, you stifle debate," Gaddy said. "Democracy is being crippled in its ability to practice healthy debate. When everything is 'absolutized,' the debate just stops because there is the perception of evil on one side of the argument."

But when Democrats accuse Republicans of being racists who also want to kill the elderly, that promotes healthy debate?

[PeterPrinciple]

When everything is 'absolutized,' the debate just stops because there is the perception of evil on one side of the argument


No.....................the debate stops when truth is relative.... why bother when all truths are equal.

[Sloth]

"There is a distinction between America's civil religion and the language that President Bush uses, which comes from a specific evangelical viewpoint," Gaddy said. "His language implies a lack of appreciation for the vastness of religious pluralism in this land."

Yeah, those Methodists are a hardcore, exclusive group of right-wing fundamentalist Bible-thumpers, aren't they? Almost as dogmatic and reactionary as the Unitarians.

[arasina]

Princeton University Professor of Religion Elaine Pagels and C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance Foundation, described Bush's use of religious language as reckless, divisive and destructive.

I guess I can add Ms. Pagels and Mr. Gaddy to the list of those who have used reckless, divisive and destructive criticism to ridicule Christianity.

"Christianity is such a silly religion."
-Gore Vidal

"The inspiration of the Bible depends upon the ignorance of the gentleman who reads it."
-Robert Ingersoll

"...It would be more consistent that we call [the Bible] the work of a demon than the word of God. It is a history of wickedness that has served to corrupt and brutalize mankind."
-Thomas Paine

"If we would destroy the Christian religion, we must first of all destroy man's belief in the Bible."
-Voltaire

"Christians are losers."
-Ted Turner

Pagels and Gaddy claim to be people of (some sort of) faith yet harp on President Bush for calling evil what it truly is. Do they think that evil exists only in the past or what? Is ANYTHING evil in their eyes? Guess not.

[RAT Patrol]

I just sent a grateful email to the writer of this article. Thanks for posting it!

You're welcome. She did a great job!