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TESTING THE FAITH Bush: All religions pray to 'same God' 'That's what I believe. I believe Islam is a great religion that preaches peace' Posted: October 7, 2007
President George Bush has repeated his belief all religions, "whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God" an assertion that caused outrage among evangelical leaders when he said it in November 2003.
Bush made the statement Friday in an interview with Al Arabiya reporter Elie Nakouzi.
Al Arabiya is Al Jazeerah's top competitor in the Mideast.
As the president and Nakouzi walked from the Oval Office to the Map Room in the White House residence, Nazouki asked, "But I want to tell you and I hope this doesn't bother you at all that in the Islamic world they think that President Bush is an enemy of Islam that he wants to destroy their religion, what they believe in. Is that in any way true, Mr. President?"
"No, it's not," said Bush. "I've heard that, and it just shows [sic] to show a couple of things: One, that the radicals have done a good job of propagandizing. In other words, they've spread the word that this really isn't peaceful people versus radical people or terrorists, this is really about the America not liking Islam.
"Well, first of all, I believe in an Almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace. And I believe people who murder the innocent to achieve political objectives aren't religious people, whether they be a Christian who does that we had a person blow up our blow up a federal building in Oklahoma City who professed to be a Christian, but that's not a Christian act to kill innocent people.
"And I just simply don't subscribe to the idea that murdering innocent men, women and children particularly Muslim men, women and children in the Middle East is an act of somebody who is a religious person.
Friday's statement echoes one made by Bush in November 2003 during a joint press conference with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. A reporter noted Bush had frequently expressed the view that freedom is a gift from "the Almighty," but questioned whether Bush believes "Muslims worship the same Almighty" as the president and other Christians do.
"I do say that freedom is the Almighty's gift to every person. I also condition it by saying freedom is not America's gift to the world," Bush replied. "It's much greater than that, of course. And I believe we worship the same god," reported the London Telegraph.
Reaction from U.S. evangelical leaders was swift and strong.
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination, was quoted in the Baptist Press as saying the president "is simply mistaken."
According to a Washington Post account, Land said in an interview: "We should always remember that he is commander in chief, not theologian in chief. The Bible is clear on this: The one and true god is Jehovah, and his only begotten son is Jesus Christ."
The Rev. Ted Haggard, then-president of the National Association of Evangelicals, also contradicted the president in a press statement. "The Christian God encourages freedom, love, forgiveness, prosperity and health," said Haggard. "The Muslim god appears to value the opposite. The personalities of each god are evident in the cultures, civilizations and dispositions of the peoples that serve them. Muhammad's central message was submission; Jesus' central message was love. They seem to be very different personalities."
In November 2006, Haggard was forced to resign from NAE following allegations of drug use and sex with a homosexual prostitute.
Gary Bauer, former presidential candidate and president of American Values, said Bush's comment was "not helpful to the president. Since everybody agrees he's not a theologian, he would be much better advised to punt when he gets that kind of question."
In Friday's interview with Al Arabiya, Bush emphasized his outreach to Muslims.
"We are having an Iftaar dinner tonight I say, 'we' it's my wife and I," Bush told Nakouzi. "This is the seventh one in the seven years I've been the president. It gives me a chance to say 'Ramadan Mubarak.' The reason I do this is I want people to understand about my country. In other words, I hope this message gets out of America. I want people to understand that one of the great freedoms in America is the right for people to worship any way they see fit. If you're a Muslim, an agnostic, a Christian, a Jew, a Hindu, you're equally American.
"And the value the most valuable thing I think about America is that particularly if you're a religious person you can be free to worship, and it's your choice to make. It's not the state's choice, and you shouldn't be intimidated after you've made your choice. And that's a right that I jealously guard.
"Secondly, I want American citizens to see me hosting an Iftaar dinner."
"That's a strong message for the Americans," said Nakouzi.
Last year, WND reported criticism of Bush from Wafa Sultan, a native of Syria, who said the president was empowering terrorist leaders whose ultimate aim is for Islamic law to govern the world by proclaiming Islam a "religion of peace."
"I believe he undermines our credibility by saying that," said Sultan. "We came from Islam, and we know what kind of religion Islam is."
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A very touching article. It seems like Mr. Bush may be leaning towards becoming a Muslim. I'm looking forward to that. Maybe then he will get the Jews to comply with U.N. Resolution 242 and give back the occupied land to the Palestinians and destroy that nasty looking barrier too.
What's the hold up of him becoming a Muslim "since we ALL pray to the same God" and I'm sure he's enjoying the Islamic Cuisine. Maybe he is a in "The Closet Muslim" just waiting for the right time to come out.
After 7 years of hosting Iftar dinners..I think it's time for him to take his shahadah and do the right thing and oh yes make the Jews submit to the U.N Resolution 242 (and others) which they have been disobeying for almost 40 years this coming November 22, 2007.
Iraq was bombed and now occupied for failure to comply with U.N. Resolutions...when will Mr. Bush Bomb Israel for failing to comply with U.N. Resolution 242? How about sanctions?..Let's try that for a change and see it will work.
Why does Mr. Bush continue to send BILLIONS of $$$ and Military Weapons a year to a country and people who are violating U.N. Resolutions? Oh Yes, and doesn't Israel have Nukes? I wonder where they got them and why isn't Mr. Bush making a big stink about that?
Something is wrong with this picture..really wrong and we all know it.
Posts: 2342 | From: Its not where I'm from but where Im going | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Undercover: Reaction from U.S. evangelical leaders was swift and strong.
Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination, was quoted in the Baptist Press as saying the president "is simply mistaken."
According to a Washington Post account, Land said in an interview: "We should always remember that he is commander in chief, not theologian in chief. The Bible is clear on this: The one and true god is Jehovah, and his only begotten son is Jesus Christ."
The Rev. Ted Haggard, then-president of the National Association of Evangelicals, also contradicted the president in a press statement. "The Christian God encourages freedom, love, forgiveness, prosperity and health," said Haggard. "The Muslim god appears to value the opposite. The personalities of each god are evident in the cultures, civilizations and dispositions of the peoples that serve them. Muhammad's central message was submission; Jesus' central message was love. They seem to be very different personalities."
In November 2006, Haggard was forced to resign from NAE following allegations of drug use and sex with a homosexual prostitute.
Gary Bauer, former presidential candidate and president of American Values, said Bush's comment was "not helpful to the president. Since everybody agrees he's not a theologian, he would be much better advised to punt when he gets that kind of question."
Looks like the U.S. evangelicals are a bit upset having some references made that we all believe in the same God..and I don't blame them..
The Rev. Ted Haggard, then-president of the National Association of Evangelicals, also contradicted the president in a press statement. "The Christian God encourages freedom, love, forgiveness, prosperity and health," said Haggard. "The Muslim god appears to value the opposite. The personalities of each god are evident in the cultures, civilizations and dispositions of the peoples that serve them. Muhammad's central message was submission; Jesus' central message was love. They seem to be very different personalities."
In November 2006, Haggard was forced to resign from NAE following allegations of drug use and sex with a homosexual prostitute.
Maybe ole Rev. Teddy didn't get the "central message of love" doing all those drugs and having homosexual sex with a prostitute.If I was this quy I would go hide in the corner somewhere and keep my mouth shut...LOL I don't think anything coming out of his mouth is doing the Evangelicals any kind of favor..Why should had to have resigned if he accept Jesus as his lord and savior?..doesn't 'Jesus' forgive ALL sins. Shouldn't he be given a chance to redeem himself.
Also and Mr. Bush isn't the punting type..he's always trying to return the kick for a touchdown..
Posts: 2342 | From: Its not where I'm from but where Im going | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Somewhere in the sands:
Why does Mr. Bush continue to send BILLIONS of $$$ and Military Weapons a year to a country and people who are violating U.N. Resolutions?
AIPAC.
I read a really interesting article about the Indian lobby, which is mimicking the Israeli lobby down to the most minute detail. And it's working, India is getting more and more money, and more and more support, especially nuclear support.
Incredible. Nothing matters but money.
Posts: 8794 | From: 01-20-09 The End of an Error | Registered: Dec 2004
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Do you remember where you found the article?..I would love to read it.
-------------------- 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Allah's Apostle (صلى الله عليه و سلم) took hold of my shoulder and said, "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveller." Posts: 2342 | From: Its not where I'm from but where Im going | Registered: Jul 2007
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Thanks for sharing..Nice article..love the final remarks...:
"Like many politically engaged Indian Americans, Puri has a deep regard for the Israel lobby -- particularly in a country where Jews make up just a small minority of the population. "A lot of Jewish people tell me maybe I was Jewish in my past life," he jokes. The respect runs both ways. The American Jewish Committee, for instance, recently sent letters to members of Congress supporting the U.S.-India nuclear deal.
"We model ourselves on the Jewish people in the United States," explains Mital Gandhi of USINPAC's new offshoot, the U.S.-India Business Alliance. "We're not quite there yet. But we're getting there."
NOTICE THE BACKING AND SUPPORT FROM THE JEWS..MY MY MY..
Posts: 2342 | From: Its not where I'm from but where Im going | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Somewhere in the sands: A very touching article. It seems like Mr. Bush may be leaning towards becoming a Muslim. I'm looking forward to that. Maybe then he will get the Jews to comply with U.N. Resolution 242 and give back the occupied land to the Palestinians and destroy that nasty looking barrier too.
What's the hold up of him becoming a Muslim "since we ALL pray to the same God" and I'm sure he's enjoying the Islamic Cuisine. Maybe he is a in "The Closet Muslim" just waiting for the right time to come out.
After 7 years of hosting Iftar dinners..I think it's time for him to take his shahadah and do the right thing and oh yes make the Jews submit to the U.N Resolution 242 (and others) which they have been disobeying for almost 40 years this coming November 22, 2007...
ROTFL 'Somewhere' you are a trip!
Everyone knows Bush is just kissing Muslim ass for his own political gains. Just as the terrorists have their own methods of political gains involving murder and terror, Bush has his involving petty hugs and kisses (on the butts).
Meanwhile he knows better than to sever his close ties with Israelis. Oh Bush what to do?!
Posts: 26556 | From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA | Registered: Feb 2005
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