Schroeder: Bush's faith raised suspicion

[Barrett808]

Schroeder: Bush's faith raised suspicion
By MELISSA EDDY, Associated Press Writer

BERLIN - Ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, whose second term was marked by vehement opposition to the war in Iraq, described in an advance copy of his memoirs how he was suspicious of President Bush's constant references to his Christian faith.

In an excerpt of his book, "Decisions: My Life in Politics" published in the German weekly Der Spiegel Saturday, Schroeder discusses the key political choices that marked his seven-year term in office, including the decision to call early elections and his split with Bush over the Iraq war.

"I am anything but anti-American," Schroeder told Spiegel in an interview to accompany the excerpt of the more than 500-page book that goes on sale Thursday.

...

"What bothered me, and in a certain way made me suspicious despite the relaxed atmosphere, was again and again in our discussions how much this president described himself as 'God-fearing,'" Schroeder wrote, adding he is a firm believer in the separation of church and state.

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061021/ap_on_re_eu/germany...

[54anickel]

1. Last paragraph is a keeper. n/t

[UpInArms]

3. it appears Schroeder recognizes the Talibornagain

"We rightly criticize that in most Islamic states, the role of religion for society and the character of the rule of law are not clearly separated," Schroeder wrote. "But we fail to recognize that in the USA, the Christian fundamentalists and their interpretation of the Bible have similar tendencies."

[54anickel]

11. Hi UIA!!! Too bad Schroeder held back on that recognition until now.

It would be nice to go back through the archives to find all the articles regarding Dimson's claims of his faith to other world leaders and their initial responses. I do remember quite a few snippets back in the war drum beating days. Of course the publicized responses were pretty low key, it's not like many of them came right out and said "what a nutcase".

[54anickel]

12. I had to go dig this one up from his buddy Wead. Wonder if he still

feels the same. Sounds to me like Wead is saying you need to fear Dimson with or without his "faith". Wead just doesn't realize it.


http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jesus/pre...

After 9/11, in particular, people have voiced concern that George Bush feels like he's doing God's will. Can you talk about that -- that he feels that God is almost on America's side, that divisions between president and being God's choice have been blurred?

Yes. I know that France, and Germany, and in New York, Washington, Boston, in the corridor, that there's concern that Bush's faith is playing an unhealthy role in his war on terrorism, somehow, makes him emboldened in attacking an Islamic state, maybe, for example. That's nonsense. George Bush's faith is the good angel of his personality. Without that faith, he is so hard, he is so decisive, he is so quick, he is so brutal, he is so unapologetic, so self-righteous -- "I'm right, this is the right way to go, we're going."

I think the people could sense that in the war in Iraq, part of the problem was they sensed he was going, even before there was evidence, before the American people were ready. They could sense, no matter what he said, that soon after 9/11, this guy was going, and it made it somewhat suspect. Then, the logic for the war, when it came along a little bit later, it was somewhat suspect, because certainly outside of this country, they could sense it that he's going. Just a very decisive guy.

It's his faith that would make him stop and say, "Wait, is this it right thing to do?" It's not his faith that would say, "Go attack those people. Start a war. Do this." It's just the opposite. His faith has been a real tempering effect on who he is and his personality. "You may not know everything, bigshot. Slow down. Listen to the other side." People ought to be thankful that he has a faith; not something to fear.

[Peace Patriot]

13. What a load of bull this Wead is swinging! Oops, just felt a big gooshy

glob of it hit my eye!

"It's not his faith that would say, 'Go attack those people. Start a war.'"

Yes, it was exactly that, his faith, but even more precisely, God Himself, and Jesus. And this is the particular sickness that can invade the religious mind--the DELUSION that YOU are God. It is a trick of the ego. You tell yourself that it is faith, that God wants it, then you go rip the toenails off that "witch" who is "having congress with Satan," and torture her filthy body for the sake of her soul, and tie her up, and light the fire, and watch her Devil flesh sizzle, and hear her diabolical screams.

This is what FALSE faith can do to peoples' minds. It invests the ego with the RIGHT TO JUDGE.

Go attack those people. Start a war. Slaughter 600,000 innocents. Torture helpless prisoners. Giggle over the snuff videos and your godlike powers. Surely you are Chosen.

The presidency of the United States has become a sickness--the very thing the Founders tried to prevent. Caligula's throne. He, too, thought he was a God.

[Canuckistanian]

14. Thank G*d that religion "tempered" his actions

Or else there would have been utter chaos in Iraq.. oh, wait.

[patrice]

2. Clear sign of an effort to convince himself that he isn't a blasphemer.

WOW - Schroeder wanted to send troops, but couldn't because of what he saw in Bush. That's absolutely significant.

[Raine]

4. Chimp doesn't fool

anyone that has intelligence with his phoney 'religion'.

[Mythsaje]

5. Smart man...n/t

[BootinUp]

6. Just another

Beer swilling surrender monkey.

[Thickasabrick]

7. This is huge. Schroeder has become my new hero

[AzDar]

8. Sounds like an excellent judge of character. n/t

[Olney Blue]

9. "Separation of church and state" - what a concept!

K and R

[gumby]

10. One more time...

"We rightly criticize that in most Islamic states, the role of religion for society and the character of the rule of law are not clearly separated," Schroeder wrote. "But we fail to recognize that in the USA, the Christian fundamentalists and their interpretation of the Bible have similar tendencies."

[saltpoint]

15. Schroeder is a sharp customer and his comments here which

bring our president's judgment into question are useful, because they exhibit a REAL leader's take on an untenable presidency.

I think it's pure perception and intelligence on Schroeder's part, and not jealousy that Angela Merkel got the neck message and he didn't.

Yo, Dubya -- turns out Old Europe still has a little zip on the fast ball.