Bush Whacking At A Wall...

Came across this op/ed, titled "Bush Whacks the Wall of Separation," by John Nichols from The Nation, courtesy of yahoo.com. It made some comments about President Bush's weekly radio address. Some of it struck me as slightly odd, so I thought I'd post some insights here as we go along.

Thomas Jefferson observed in his January 1, 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists that America was not a church state.

As such, he explained, it was the president's duty to refrain from displays of religious devotion."

Wha...? OK, so we need to require that someone check their Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or whatever at the door before they're sworn in as president? Quite frankly, the fact that they believe in something higher than themselves plays a substantial role in who I vote for.

"Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man & his god (sic), that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state," wrote Jefferson. "[Congress thus inhibited from acts respecting religion, and the Executive authorized only to execute their acts, I have refrained from presenting even occasional performances of devotion presented indeed legally where an Executive is the legal head of a national church, but subject here, as religious exercises only to the voluntary regulations and discipline of each respective sect.] Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties."

Note the phrase: "I have refrained from presenting even occasional performances of devotion presented indeed legally where an Executive is the legal head of a national church..."

Keep in mind, that at this writing, King George of England was the leader of the Anglican Church. Absolute monarchs throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance were seen as divinely chosen -- God put them there, and therefore, should be obeyed as such. In the case of Great Britain, the King was also the equivalent of "pope" in the Anglican Church. Hence, the potential source of Jefferson's viewpoint where "an Executive is the legal head of a national church." This is true in very few other places, if any at all. (I'm excluding a ruler, dictator, despot, or any other governmental systems that try to set themselves up as god.) Continuing...

Now, note, George W. Bush's Easter Weekend radio address, in which the Jefferson's successor as president of the United States, quoted from and repeatedly referenced the Christian Bible. The address was more religious in tone and text than those delivered today even by the executives of states that identify as having a national church.

I hate to let you in on a dirty little secret, but the clear majority of Americans are Christians. And Easter is a pretty important celebration in Christianity. President Bush is more likely than not a Christian. So it should surprise no one that President Bush's address this weekend would include a few quotes from the Bible. Would we similarly chastise the President for quoting the Declaration of Independence right before July 4?

Sounding more like a pastor than a president, Bush spoke of remembering remember "a sacrifice that transcended the grave and redeemed the world" and "the gift that took away death's sting and opened the door to eternal life."

See above. These are some of the basic tenets of Christianity. Toss in the forgiveness of sins and John 3:16, and you've got a pretty good entry into Christianity 101.

Bush even declared, with a bias more toward the "Onward Christian Soldiers" camp than the "thou shalt not kill" teachings of the faith, that "America is blessed with the world's greatest military..."

If President Bush took more of a "thou shall not kill" approach, would we also criticize him about talking about abortion? Respect for life? Beating back the culture of death? Nah, that's not as headline grabbing as criticism over the Iraq war...

Perhaps, in light of that final comment, it is best to close with another quote from our third president.

"I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just," wrote Jefferson, "(and) that His justice cannot sleep forever."

Interesting... The reasons why Jefferson "trembles for his country" could be an interesting discussion. Could it be for our many transgressions, or for the hope we represent -- a shining beacon of freedom for the world. Of course, if we're not supposed to talk about the Easter message outside our churches, temples, and synagogues, we probably shouldn't talk about the fact that THE reason a perfect, sinless, son-of-God Jesus came to earth, lived, died by (what I believe is STILL) the most horrific, brutal means of execution, and rose again was FORGIVENESS of ALL SINS. Could Jefferson be trembling because of what he saw our role in the world being, and fearful that we may not be up to the task?