Bush Says God
Chose Him
To Lead America
By Paul Harris
The Observer
03 November , 2003:
President
George W. Bush stood before a cheering crowd at a Dallas Christian youth
centre last week, and told them about being 'born again' as a Christian.
'If you change their
heart, then they change their behaviour. I know,' he said, referring
to his own conversion, which led to him giving up drinking.
Behind Bush were
two banners. 'King of Kings', proclaimed one. 'Lord of Lords', said
the other. The symbolism of how fervent Christianity has become deeply
entwined with the most powerful man on the planet could not have been
stronger.
Few US Presidents
have been as openly religious as Bush. Now a new book has lifted the
lid on how deep those Christian convictions run. It will stir up controversy
at a time when the administration is keen to portray its 'war on terror'
as non-religious.
The book, which
depicts a President who prays each day and believes he is on a direct
mission from God, will give ammunition to critics who claim Bush's administration
is heavily influenced by extremist Christians.
Bush is already
under fire for allowing the appointment of General William Boykin to
head the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Boykin, who speaks at evangelical
Christian meetings, once said the war on terror was a fight against
Satan, and also told a Somali warlord that, 'My God was bigger than
his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol.'
Bush has also been
accused of a 'creeping Christianisation' of federal government programmes.
In September, the government made more than $60 billion available for
religious charitable groups. Critics say the groups will be able to
use the cash to promote their religion. One group that benefited from
previous grants was an Iowa prison project that entitled inmates to
televisions, private bathrooms and computers - in return for Christian
counselling.
Now Bush is likely
to face intense scrutiny. The book, The Faith of George W. Bush, was
written by Christian author Stephen Mansfield. It details numerous incidents
where Bush's faith has been shown to be at the centre of his political
thinking.
Among Mansfield's
revelations is his insistence that Bush and Tony Blair have prayed together
at a private meeting at Camp David. Blair has previously denied this.
Mansfield, however,
says that, while there were no witnesses, aides were left in little
doubt as to what had happened. He told The Observer: 'There is no question
they have shared scripture and prayed together.'
The book also shows
that in the lead-up to announcing his candidacy for the presidency,
Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a premonition of some form
of national disaster happening.
Bush said to James
Robinson: 'I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain
it, but I sense my country is going to need me. Something is going to
happen... I know it won't be easy on me or my family, but God wants
me to do it.'
In another incident,
Mansfield recounts how, on Palm Sunday last year, Bush was flying back
from El Salvador aboard the presidential jet Air Force One and seemed
to be destined to miss church.
However, knowing
that Bush hated to miss a service, some officials suggested they worship
in the air. Bush agreed, and soon 40 officials were crammed into the
plane's conference room. The service was led by National Security Adviser
Condoleezza Rice, while the lesson was read by close Bush aide Karen
Hughes.
The author also
proves anecdotes about Bush that had previously been dismissed as false.
Rumours that he had prayed with a young soldier who had lost a hand
in Iraq were thought to be myth, but Mansfield tracked down witnesses
and a hospital chaplain who said that Bush had prayed with the man,
ending by kissing him on the forehead and telling him he loved him.
'For me, that sums up Bush's beliefs. He really believes Jesus is taken
up in his heart and soul,' Mansfield said.
Copyright: The Observer.
UK.