Ah ok, I see what you’re talking about. I suppose that I read that statement differently than you and Sarah do. I think it is accurate to say that Muslims believe they have a belief in God. I would obviously argue it’s not the same god. I am not privy to Pres. Bush’s thoughts so I don’t know exactly how he meant it, but I’m inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. He reminds me of my father! I know that’s not a logical or practical reason, but what can i say?! (see, i do too read your blog not just for the pics!)

Oh, btw, Dale and I blog at his site dalerussell[dot]com, not as prolificly (sp?) or as academically, but if you’re interested in what we’ve been up to sign up. Dale requires a registration b/c he gets nervous about letting just anyone read his thoughts! Paranoid ;) It’s a military thing I guess.

I can understand wanting to give someone the benefit of the doubt. I’ve tried really hard for several years now to not criticize the President. And when it comes to politics, I have little to say - mostly due to my own ignorance in the area - but the Gospel is not political, nor should it be made subservient to political needs. I wish I could find transcripts of the quotes that Sarah mentioned on the last comment thread, because I heard them too, and they provide corroboration for my objection. He just doesn’t mean “a belief in belief.”

Here’s at least one article with a quote about the “same God.”

Yep, appears you’re right. I disagree with him, but I don’t think it means I shouldn’t listen to him anymore. You’re right though, trying to make nice with muslim countries and populations isn’t a valid reason to say something contrary to the Bible. I wonder if he has continued to assert that, or whether after above incident, he realized that he ought not have said it. Maybe his momma and wife gave him a talking to! :) They both seem like the type to tell him when he’s off the straight and narrow.

Actually I think it is a valid current Church position to hold that the Muslims and Jews do also serve the true God, but not according to knowledge and thus not unto salvation. Just an interesting FYI…

hello, folks.

i casually check out your blog here and there, whenever i’m in the mood for seeing what new strollers are on the market (nudge, nudge).
i’ve been saying these that same things to my Christian friends and family for some time now. in my opinion, Dubya cannot even be considered a friend to evangelical Christians, no matter what his judicial nominations are. in my local church, he’d be excommunicated for heresy, unless he recanted these, and dozens of other, similarly blasphemous statements. he would be in most other orthodox denominations as well. the blinding support that evangelicals have given him is disheartening to me, as it appears that we are often willing to be coopted by someone (anyone?) who is smart enough to pay lip-service to “conservative Christian” politics. i remember plenty of condescending Christians bad-mouthing the Southern Baptist Convention for not disciplining Clinton in the midst of his troubles, but not a peep from folks about Bush, even though his transgressions seem to be so much greater.

anyway… off on a tangent. but there’s at least a few folks in So. Ill. that agree with you.

my parents think i’m a democrat. in actuality i’ve never voted, and won’t until there’s someone worth voting for.

-wkw

Well, we all “serve” the same God. The Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, and the Romans all served Yahweh.
-Nathanael

There are other transcripts as well. His view seems to be ecumenical, but to the point of trying to bring everyone in any religion or not under the same tent. Reminds me of the points of Fundamentalism (the specific movement.) Hey, if we can get Christians, Muslims, and Jews to agree that 1) A God exists 2) We can pray 3) We like peace, then, hey, we’re all basically the same religion. Erm. Nice and vague.

2004: (Bush speaking) “Christians and Jews and Muslims have too often been divided by old suspicions, but we are called to act as what we are — the sons and daughters of Abraham.”
link here

Another interesting one, also vague:
” The world sees a nation at prayer — Christian, Jew and Muslim, alike — praying for strength to an almighty and merciful God. The world is beginning to see the best of this great land. ”
link for this one here

-Brent