With Day of Prayer, Bush reaches out

His message could appeal to evangelical Christians particularly, which could help him in November.

By Deb Riechmann

Associated Press


WASHINGTON - President Bush reached out to evangelical Christians yesterday in a National Day of Prayer ceremony that religious networks were broadcasting coast to coast.

"At so many crucial points in the life of America, we have been a nation at prayer," Bush said, recalling that Abraham Lincoln called the country to prayer in the darkest days of the Civil War and that Franklin Roosevelt led U.S. citizens in prayer 60 years ago when U.S. and British troops invaded German-occupied France.

Some academic specialists on religion and politics - and some advocates of a stark division between church and state - suggested the Republicans were using the 53d annual National Day of Prayer to give the GOP an edge in the election.

"This event has very strong underpinnings of partisan support for the President, and that's what it's designed to do," said Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "It's not like he is ignoring other religious groups, but he knows that this day is the one where he signals, 'I am an evangelical Christian. Remember that in November.' "
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/nation/8608049.htm




Friday, May 07, 2004 - Page updated at 12:00 A.M.

Bush joins in evangelical broadcast

By Deb Riechmann
The Associated Press


AP
President Bush bows his head during prayer services at the National Day of Prayer ceremony in the White House.

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WASHINGTON — President Bush yesterday appealed to evangelical Christians in a National Day of Prayer ceremony broadcast coast-to-coast by religious networks.
"At so many crucial points in the life of America, we have been a nation at prayer," Bush said, recalling that Abraham Lincoln had called the country to prayer in the darkest days of the Civil War and that Franklin Roosevelt led U.S. citizens in prayer 60 years ago when U.S. and British troops invaded German-occupied France.

Some academic specialists on religion and politics — and some advocates of a stark division between church and state — suggested Republicans were using the 53rd annual National Day of Prayer to give the GOP an edge in the November election.

"This event has very strong underpinnings of partisan support for the president, and that's what it's designed to do," said Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "It's not like he is ignoring other religious groups, but he knows that this day is the one where he signals 'I am an evangelical Christian. Remember that in November.' "

During yesterday's event, one of thousands of National Day of Prayer observances, Bush recognized Rabbi Tzvi Hersh Weinreb of the Orthodox Union of Jews, other religious leaders as well as conservative Oliver North, an Iran-contra figure turned radio talk-show host who is honorary chairman of this year's National Day of Prayer.

"We cannot be neutral in the face of injustice or cruelty or evil," Bush said. "God is not on the side of any nation, yet we know he is on the side of justice. And it is the deepest strength of America that from the hour of our founding, we have chosen justice as our goal.

"Our greatest failures as a nation have come when we lost sight of that goal: in slavery, in segregation, and in every wrong that has denied the value and dignity of life. Our finest moments have come when we have faithfully served the cause of justice for our own citizens and for the people of other lands."
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2001922191_bushprayer07.html

She also made no apologies about the exclusion of Muslims and others outside of the "Judeao-Christian tradition" from ceremonies planned by the task force on Capitol Hill and in state capitals across the country. "They are free to have their own national day of prayer if they want to," she said. "We are a Christian task force."

The White House press office and presidential adviser Karl Rove's office did not respond to calls seeking comment on the National Day of Prayer observances.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5572-2004May5.html

dangerous... :puke:

They are empowering their cliques and subliminaly egging hatred for those outside their circle. That's not "reaching out" in my book, unless one talks of a hermit

This is one reason I am absolutely sure Bush's goose is cooked. His direct hypocritical challenge to God is public. Sure Stalin prayed too, but this is far more overwhelming and direct a challenge of redefining God into a devil.

If he were just mouthing words to win over his base it would not be so insane. In fact he is alienating the religious beliefs of all decent people and dragging down his core like some goofy cult leader.

President Jim Jones. Beware.

I thought for a minute I had mistakenly clicked on to the FR site.That's where the pro-bu$h threads are,not here. :puke:

National Abuse Day? Every American is tasked to venture forth and beat the shit out of somebody~. I think that is more in keeping with the Bush agenda and our national persona, not this bullshit prayer crap.