American Theocracy?

Question

Has anyone read the book "American Theocracy" by Kevin Phillips? What are your thoughts about it? For those who haven't and nonetheless want to give their opinion, here is what he says:

1. That religion is dangerously intertwined with US foreign policy
2. That the US Army has become some sort of security service for oil wells and the ways through which it is transported all over the world.
3. That Bush thinks that God wanted him to become president.
4. That many people and politicians in the US believe the "war on terror" is part of the pre-Rapture-Armageddon setting.

BTW, Kevin Phillips is an American writer and commentator, largely on politics, economics, and history. Formerly a Republican Party strategist, Phillips has become disaffected with his former party over the last two decades, and is now one of its harshest critics. He is a regular contributor to the Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio, and is a political analyst on PBS' NOW with Bill Moyers.

Answer 1

1) Don't see it. Foreign policy seems to be working more around a globalist agenda, IMHO.

2) Other way around, actually. Oil has been a strategic resource for over half a century, now. The military runs on oil, so it needs to protect it's supply. Saying the military's sole purpose is to secure oil wells, is like saying that humanity's sole purpose is to secure drinking water.

3) I've heard he did. Sounds more like a personal issue of Faith, for him, than Theocracy for the US. Whatever Bush might feel, the 'sepparation of chruch and state' is still alive and well.

4) If by 'many,' you mean the the few million (~1% of the population) wild-eyed evangelical christian revivalists who have been waiting impatiently for said apocalypse since the middle of the 19th century, sure. Do such crazy people matter? Not really, and it would be expensive to lock them all up.

Answer 2

I haven't read the book, but I will answer anyway.
1. I believe religion is indirectly involved, but it more of a "left" thing, not Christianity.
2. Somewhat, but I believe more to the advantage of the US.
3. Probably, or at least the people thought God did.
4. I don't see that. I just believe we are getting closer everyday. If the US becomes part of the AU, I believe we are then very close...then we need a world leader.

Answer 3

There will always be books. You can write a book. The thing is research the reality of any matter. Get the facts. Bush did say he was commissioned by God once, but Bush has also stated he wanted to be a dictator. We have to take everything with a grain of salt. Religion is not dangerously intertwined with US foreign policy, but it is used as a tool to manipulate US domestic and foreign policy. Just keep your eyes and mind open. We are living in a momentous time. Its called the 21st Century.

Answer 4

Hmm... I bought this book, but haven't had the time to read it, been too busy with school. But these points are basically true as far as I'm concerned, except for #4. That just seems a bit out there to me. I know some religious fanatics are always consumed with when the "rapture" will happen, but not that many average Americans.

#3 is true without doubt:

"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."
--George W. Bush commenting to Texas evangelist James Robinson in the run-up to his presidential campaign

"God told me to strike at al Qaeda and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam [Hussein], which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East. If you help me I will act, and if not, the elections will come and I will have to focus on them."
--Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Abu Mazen quoting Bush when they met in Aqaba; reported in The Haaretz Reporter by Arnon Regular

"I don't think that witchcraft is a religion. I wish the military would rethink this decision." - to ABC NEWS, June 1999, regarding Ft. Hood's decision to allow Wiccan rituals

I think people attack me because they are fearful that I will then say that you're not equally as patriotic if you're not a religious person. ... I've never said that. I've never acted like that. I think that's just the way it is. (Washington Times, 12 January 2005)

I trust God speaks through me. Without that, I couldn't do my job.
reportedly said to a group of Old Order Amish as published by the Lancaster New Era, July 16, 2004. [89]

Answer 5

The guy is seriously delusional and suffering from a severe case of Christophobia... But many Leftist have similar views and are just as screwed up.

Answer 6

The dollar is sinking lower and lower, the US is gaining more and more enemies by the minute, even allies are loosing faith in the US, the US is seen as breaching most of the international laws on treatment of prisoners and torture.

Bush sports God and wages war on Muslims and no one in the US can see that the rest of the world see this as the second crusades and that Christianity will again be the losers!!!

Under Bush the US is set on self destruct and little can be done to prevent it until he is gone!!!!!

Answer 7

Are aliens directing Bush to fight wars in an attempt to stretch our military so that we are easier to invade?

Answer 8

And did someone loosen his strait-jacket so he could write that garbage.

Answer 9

I think it's true and that it's scary as hell. I also think that Bush has a major God complex.

Answer 10

That all sounds pretty crazy....like America today....