Ok, it's been a while since I posted anything new about this topic. Today I found a Newsweek article coming in this weeks print issue. It is a well written article about the topic of faith and Bush. It is a little less biased than some of the other articles I posted. Those who have enjoyed this thread will enjoy this article.
http://www.msnbc.com/news/878520.asp?#BODY
Delivering the 'Good News'
While past presidents have invoked the name of God in public remarks, President Bush has done so, arguably, more than others-and has increasingly moved beyond broad statements on faith to include overt Christian references.
An overview:
Inaugural Address, Jan. 21, 2001
"An angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm."
Context: The whirlwind symbolizes a medium for the voice of God in the Books of Job and Ezekiel.
Speech to Congress, Sept. 20, 2001
"Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them."
West Point Commencement, June 1, 20029-11
"We are in a conflict between good and evil , and America will call evil by its name."
Context: Bush's references to "good" and "evil," on the upswing since 9-11, imply the Biblical clash between Christ and Satan.
Remembrance,Sept. 11, 2002
"And the light shines in the darkness. And the darkness will not overcome it."
Context: A reference from the Book of John (appropriated from the Hebrew Scriptures) to the coming of Christ.
State of The Union, Jan. 29, 2003
"The liberty we prize is not America's gift to the world, it is God's gift to humanity."
Context: This statement is not found in Scripture, but harks back to the writings of French political philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville. It raised a red flag for supporters of separation of church and state.
Hours After Shuttle Tragedy, Feb. 1
"The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home."
Context: The words "safely home" are commonly used in homilies delivered at Christian funerals to mean that those who've died are now with Jesus.
2003State of The Union, Jan. 29, 2003
"There's power, wonder-working power, in the goodness and idealism and faith of the American people."
Context: "Power, wonder-working power" is a direct quote from one of the oldest evangelical gospel songs.