George W. Bush has intertwined his faith with his politics more than any president in recent memory. Putting aside his policy proposals that are in obvious conflict with church-state separation — his so-called “faith-based” initiative, his support for school vouchers, his endorsement of government-sponsored Ten Commandments displays, his support for a constitutional amendment on school prayer — his rhetoric alone has caused consternation.
The religious right, not surprisingly, has been unconcerned. Indeed, the movement’s groups and leaders have been thrilled to have Bush tout his faith proudly and publicly.
For example, when Bush said Jesus is the political philosopher he identified with most, some Dems and most civil libertarians howled. The religious right, predictably, defended Bush’s comments. When Bush said he believes that only those who accept Jesus get into heaven, religious minorities, many of whom Bush reached out to for votes, were offended. The religious right said his opinion is consistent with their interpretation of Scripture and was therefore exempt from criticism.
Yet, for some reason, the same religious right leaders who have praised Bush for his religious rhetoric in recent years suddenly aren’t so happy anymore.
Late last week, in a press conference in England with Tony Blair, a reporter noted that Bush has claimed that freedom is granted “by the Almighty.” The reporter then asked Bush to comment on the fact that “some people who share your beliefs don’t believe that Muslims worship the same Almighty.”
Bush didn’t hesitate. “I do say that freedom is the Almighty’s gift to every person,” Bush said. “I also condition it by saying freedom is not America’s gift to the world. It’s much greater than that, of course. And I believe we worship the same God.”
Oops. That last point — “we worship the same God” — isn’t exactly the prevailing view of Bush’s allies in the fundamentalist Christian community.
Almost immediately, the Southern Baptists’ Richard Land said, “[W]e should always remember that he is Commander-in-Chief, not theologian-in-chief. And when he says that he believes that Muslims and Christians worship the same God, he is simply mistaken.”
The Washington Post noted that Land wasn’t alone. The Rev. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, also issued a statement contradicting Bush. “The Christian God encourages freedom, love, forgiveness, prosperity and health,” Haggard said. “The Muslim god appears to value the opposite.”
Gary Bauer, who challenged Bush for the GOP presidential nomination in 2000, said Bush’s comment was not “helpful,” adding, “Since everybody agrees he’s not a theologian, he would be much better advised to punt when he gets that kind of question.”
What a finicky bunch. When Bush touts standard evangelical Christian orthodoxy, here’s a hero whose words should be heeded. When Bush’s “God talk” takes an inclusive approach to Islam, they want him (and the rest of us) to remember that Bush isn’t a theologian.
The religious right should be more straightforward in their approach and admit what they obviously believe: Bush’s talk about religion is great as long as he says Christianity is better than everything else.