I watched it on live TV. He and W were at a high school near Crawford, Texas taking questions from students. One girl asked about their religious beliefs. W professed his belief in Christ. Putin told the girl he was an atheist. I did NOT make it up. Why would I?
All kinds of reasons, including just plain old being wrong. I can’t wait to see that bombshell video when you locate it. Not a word about that anywhere in the reporting about Putin’s visit to Crawford.
I call BS.
https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/11/20011115-4.html
Here’s the transcript of the high school Q&A session, including all remarks. The question wasn’t asked, and the only reference to God was;
“And like President Bush did, I would also like to congratulate three Texans and two people from Waco, with the liberation by the U.S. official forces and their withdrawal from the land of Afghanistan. (Applause.)
Of course, it is very important to be born under a happy star and to have destiny facing your way. And, indeed, I’m in agreement with the President, perhaps God was looking quite positively on this.
But there are different approaches to addressing such kind of problem. There are people deeply religious who usually say that God knows what is to befall a nation, a people, or a person. But there are people no less devoted to God, but who still believe that the people, a person should also take care of their own destiny and lives. And it gives me great pleasure to deal and to work with President Bush, who is a person, a man who does what he says. (Applause.)
And I congratulate those who have been liberated by the Armed Forces, and their relatives. And also, I would like to congratulate on this, President Bush. (Applause.)”