Does this worry you as much as it worries me?

Question

"No, I don't know that Athiests should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered as patriots. This is one nation under God." ~ George W. Bush

So what, Mr. President? Just because I don't believe in your god means I can't love my country? I'm not even really an Athiest (more of an Agnostic) but this REALLY troubles me. What makes him think that Athiests can't be good Americans? What next, special camps for non-believers?

What do you think of this quote? Agree or disagree with it? Think it's completly insaine and worrysome? Why or why not?

danjangles, thanks for providing a link!

Here's the link: http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/ghwbush.htm

Answer 1

Even though I am Christian, I don't agree with him at all. This nation was founded upon the basis of FREEDOM of RELIGION. You should be able to choose what you believe, and that includes not believing in a God. I'll go with worrysome for that quote.

Answer 2

George W. Bush never said that. His dad is reported to have said it by some journalist but who knows whether the journalist lied. Here is what George W. Bush said.

http://www.mnatheists.org/

Surprising Quote from
Interview with German Press
President Bush: "You're equally American whether you're a Jew, Muslim, Christian, or Atheist."
President George W. Bush said the following in an interview with German newspaper BILD:

"The President's job is never to promote a religion. The great thing about America—and Germany, for that matter—is that you should be able to worship freely. I like to tell people, you're equally American whether you're a Jew, Muslim, Christian, or Atheist—you're equally all Americans—and that if we ever lose that, we begin to look like the Taliban." (See the entire interview here on the White House website.)

This from the same person who once said: "We need common-sense judges who understand our rights were derived from God. And those are the kind of judges I intend to put on the bench.''

And whose father, the 41st President of the United States, is reported to have said: "I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." (While cited by a single journalist, former President Bush has never denied making this statement.)

Answer 3

It's insane because it's George Bush. Who else could go to China, go to a protestant church there and write in the visitor's book "God bless all the Christian people in China". Where does that leave everyone else in the counrty?

The man's a stooge. Only goes to show you the religious right wingers have the lobbying influence right now. The people who follow Pat Robertson, Oral Roberts and the rest of the hellfire and brimstone crowd have dumped their money into this dummy who is motivated by twisted religious values and big industry. not to mention 'fixing' election results. What a travesty that was!

I pray we last for the next couple of years. I think this cinches any chance for a Republican to get into the White House for some time. Lieberman is a fine example. Make a pact with Satan and be prepared for the American public to run you out the door.

Answer 4

I disagree God loves everyone and no body should judge people rashly and harshly.

As you probably know by now Girl Wonder I am a Born again christian and some of my family on my husbands side are atheists and agnostic, do we go around Bible bashing them?
NO The song says they will know we are Christians by our love.
We show love to them we don't convert them that is Gods job.

We need to pray for the president he needs it.

The best way to be a godly witness is not what a person does but by what they don't do. Also by the way a person acts and reacts.

God loves the atheist and the agnostic I think people are more judgmental than God is.

Answer 5

I'm a Christian, but I disagree with the president on this one.

Atheists should have access to 14th amendment federal citizenship. This is what Bush is talking about. The small "c" is the clue. Most people in the US are already 14th amendment citizens with only "civil rights", but have no Constitutional rights.

Christianity already is a pre-requisite to become a Citizen of one of the state Republics as only Christians can claim to be "endowed by their Creator with certain Inalienable Rights". But it's not "automatic", it's necessary to vitiate the invisible and signed contracts with all federal and private agencies via the proper affidavit procedure and to remain free of any government benefit.

Answer 6

Its absolutely inappropriate and absurd that anyone would hold this belief, the fact its a current or former president scares me a lot more. How the hell did these people get into such power? They arent exactly the Kennedy's!
If Jeb Bush runs in 2008 I will just sh*&

Maybe he should have all the troops in Iraq polled on their beliefs and immediate recall those that are "unpatriotic" enough to be athiests. Im sure a lot would be very glad to ome home

Answer 7

Actually, it was Bush's father (said in 1987 to Rob Sherman). Of course, it looks like the apple didn't fall far from the tree. That said, fundamentalists (both religious and secular) need to disparage and minimize those who threaten their thought system precisely because, deep down, their faith in the thought system is suspect. The irony of the statement is that the separation mechanism that's inherent in it is completely anti-God (but does fit in nicely with ego images of god that most people worship). The best thing to do is to not condone it but also not make the same mistake of demonizing others -- don't demonize Bush Sr. or Bush Jr. as the 'evil fundamentalists'. And, if you can do that, let me know because I have a hard time with it :).

Answer 8

Well this is one universe under God, whether we like it or not. Be an athiest, that doesn't change anything about God, or the fact that you are a piece of Him.

George needs to be ousted. Fast. I don't know how the American people can stand for this non democracy that has been running for so long. He is a wolf, and his sheep's clothing has a few holes in it. Do they think the world is stupid?

I feel sorry for America.

Answer 9

Christians are a Holy Nation nothing to do with the Government, or the President, but The USA was founded on Christian principals, the same as some countries are founded on other religious principals like Iran, I truly believe if we would rather live in a Country that is with out God we should try another Country, but you should count your blessing you are able to believe as you do in this country. if you were in Iran you might find being Agnostic or Atheist to be fatal. Religion should not be in control of any Government. God knows who are his and he can take care of his own.

Answer 10

It's no more worrysome than Bush or his officials saying that they are not subject to the dictates of Congress or the courts if there is a "national security" interest, or that global warming is an unproven theory, or that the case for WMDs in Iraq was a 'slam dunk'. This adminstration is rife with radical extremists. So, I'm worried, but this particular statement is just more of the same.