Hot Item: Dubya The Christian Doesn't Go To Church!

[Brian_Expat]

Tut tut tut, what would the RR say?

http://www.tnr.com/doc.mhtml?pt=vKO1twmWG2Uvnyi2qoWQfW%3D%3D

Most Americans are aware that George W. Bush is a religious man. He is, after all, the man who presided over a religious revival of sorts at the Republican National Convention. He is the man who has pioneered what could be called cardio-diplomacy, judging world leaders--and, at times, entire nations--by their "hearts." He is the subject of at least four spiritual hagiographies currently in bookstores, and one religious documentary ("George W. Bush: Faith in the White House"). Most famously, Americans know him as the man who, when asked to cite the philosopher who had the greatest influence on him, named Jesus Christ.

What most--including many of the president's fiercest supporters--don't know, however, is that Bush doesn't go to church. Sure, when he weekends at Camp David, Bush spends Sunday morning with the compound's chaplain. And, every so often, he drops in on the little Episcopal church across Lafayette Park from the White House. But the president who has staked much of his domestic agenda on the argument that religious communities hold the key to solving social problems doesn't belong to a congregation.

It should be a politically intriguing story. Bush is one of the most explicitly religious politicians in American history. Both of his presidential campaigns have used religion to appeal emotionally to voters. The entire philosophy behind his signature slogan, "compassionate conservatism," rests on the belief that religious communities have a unique ability to tend to the nation's social ills. And yet, after the flood of coverage around Bush's first--and only--visit to a neighborhood church during inauguration weekend in Washington, D.C., no one has bothered to report on the president's whereabouts on Sunday mornings.

[jpgray]

1. Methodists don't need to attend, I believe

But still this would hurt him with the fundies.

[RevCheesehead]

3. Excuse me - I'm United Methodist, and I expect everyone to attend!

For all who are able, I expect to see them at least once a month (with the exception of those who work on Sundays; home-bound and the elderly, esp. in winter). But if I don't see someone in church, I presume they're inactive. If they haven't darkened the door in over 3 years, their name is removed.

I am not surprised * doesn't go to church. His blatant disregard to the poor and powerless show his true colors.

He's also not much of a United Methodist.

[mitchum]

15. You are very correct about him not being much of a United Methodist...

I am certainly a lapsed UMC member, but I don't see where that progressive denomination has very much to do with his particularly brand of fundy, Rapture-acknowledging "Methodism"

[Hello_Kitty]

19. United Methodist seems more mainstream and rational

To his non-fundie voters. Probably Non-Denominational Holy Roller didn't poll well so he stayed with 'Methodist'.

[Carla in Ca]

13. He is a unilateralist, he does everything by himself!

[olddem43]

2. The last truly religious president was Carter.

He did belong to a church.

[neebob]

4. Uh-huh, and the arguments are

He goes as often as he can
He's too busy with other important things
You don't have to go to church every Sunday to be religious
He doesn't want to disrupt the services

I can hear my mom saying every one of them.

[Hello_Kitty]

20. He's working hard, dammit!! n/t

[oly]

5. JC's twin need not attend church.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. People with messianic complexes are their own church

[neverforget]

7. He talked to God and He said that he doesn't have to go and that

he can start drinking again........

[Booster]

17. Bush is God, or haven't you heard?

[bryant69]

8. It's a matter of perception

In President Bush's version of Christianity, being born again has turned him from a sinner into a good person. So no that he is "good" he doesn't have to worry about sin or about judging his actions or about going to Church (frankly in the Bush clan over-religiosity is considered Gauche).

Bryant
Check it out- -> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. Not all denoms believe once saved always saved. And usually the

Bible thumpers such as * tend to think that you have to keep working on it.

[bryant69]

10. Usually, but not always

[Nikia]

11. I would think that he would go just to protect his image

He could consider it like a routine meeting or something. We attends a lot of other functions for promoting his image. I am suprised that he doesn't go to church to promote his image. Some truly Christian people don't often go to church for a variety of personal reasons, but if you are a "Christian" politician promoting the importance of the church, something seems strange if you don't go to church. Maybe, he is afraid to go to church. It might disturb him if the church doesn't believe his version of Christianity.

[eleny]

12. But... it's so hard!

[Nlighten1]

14. Going to church is hard work!

[mitchum]

16. Just like Reagan

[Barney Rocks]

18. I don't have a problem with

this--I loosely believe in god--and sometimes attend church--but not as regularly as I was brought up to. I don't think church attendence is what makes a person a worthy or whatever. It is about the kind of person you are and how you try to live (that is where he falls short--and where I hope I don't).

[Zen Democrat]

24. Yeah, but you're not running as the "Church-Going" Candidate. n/t

[Barney Rocks]

25. guess not.

but I personally would feel like a hypocrite for criticizing someone for doing what I do. I criticize Bush for doing and not doing plenty of things, but I personally would feel like a hypocrite for attacking ANYONE's church attendence--so I just can't do it. Bush may be benefitting from the guilt of religious people to some extent.

[pinniped]

21. The piece of human garbage won't have to put up with the phony...

religious charade for much longer.

On Sunday morning the jerkoff has a hangover. Don't bother the idiot.

[demgrrrll]

22. ABC reported that they booted his sorry ass out of bed this a m to

attend services. Hey he goes. See? Not all the time cause presidentin' is really hard work. Now all you heathens shut up and sit down. <sarcasm>

[goclark]

23. We should have outed him on this

I was talking to a Republican a few weeks ago.
He said he was voting for Chimp because," he is born again."
He asked me if I was , "born again, like Bush."

I told him I was.
Then he asked my religion and I told him,"United Methodist."
He said that I could not be born again and be a Methodist.
I told him that he could not define my religion for me.

My point is that people think that he is not United Methodist but attends a more non traditional church.

They have no idea that he doesn't go to church ALL the time.

I bet if someone asked Bush to recite his favorite passage from the Bible he could not do it. First of all, he does not read. Then, he can not compare and contrast information.

For him to be so "religious" he needs to set an example and go to church each and every Sunday.

[LibDemAlways]

26. Chimp is a

Christian of convenience. When it's convenient, like when he's courting the fundie vote, he puts on the fake piety and calls himself a Christian.

The rest of the time he's a warmongering SOB who steals from the poor and middle class to give to the rich. What's pathetic is that people buy into the idea that he's a "godly" man, when his actions are so clearly the opposite.