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MarkH · #3 (**permalink**) 04-29-2004, 08:19 AM

I kind of use Jimmy Carter as a comparison when I look at Bush. Carter was a pretty mediocre president, but he is quite the diplomat and a Born Again. I see Carter as reserved, unselfish, and truly interested in his fellow human, characteristics espoused by Christ.

But with Bush, I sense something different. I sense him being filled with power, feeling as if he is the instrument of God. If true, then in my opinion he is very dangerous. People who believe God is giving them intrinsic power are fine -- when they are in places where they cannot hurt themselves or others. But someone who believes that God is directing them and who have the power to blow up most of the earth, well that’s an entirely different matter.

When I made that post about Bush demonstrating his Christianity, it was to see what people thought about what Bush has DONE (behavior), not what he has said. Most importantly, is he reading what Christ said? I am very interested in WHAT parts of the Bible he reads, more than the fact that he reads the Bible. Jesus Christ taught tolerance, forgiveness, non-violence, charity, non-judgment, altruism and self-restraint. These were the trademarks of Christ. Are they the trademarks of President Bush?

Bush has done a few things that are admirable; the policy on AIDS I think is a good example. But when I look at Bush’s behavior overall, it doesn’t give me a good feeling. He seems very tied to special interest, very interested in non-Christ-like solutions to perceived problems and an unwillingness to admit when mistakes are made. This is my view of the man, I know you disagree, but I am letting you know where I’m coming from.

I am not enamored with Kerry’s relationship with Christ either, in case you’re wondering. But it doesn’t bother me in the same way. I cannot visualize Kerry standing in front of the button saying, “God has placed me in this position for a reason,” as he presses the button that blows a Middle East country off the globe. I CAN visualize Bush doing that.

There are many born again zealots who believe that failure to give your life to Christ is an automatic ticket to hell, that the Muslims are the devil’s work and that they need to be brought to Christ, even if it kills them. While Bush might not BE one of those outwardly, the Born Again zealots are a part of his constituent base and he reacts to what they believe (example: constitutional amendment about marriage, aka ban on gay marriage). I have to wonder just how far Bush would go to keep his dollars happy.