-Caveat Lector-
Bush says God chose him to lead his nation Book reveals how President's religious and political beliefs are entwined - and claims he did pray with Blair Paul Harris in New
York President George W. Bush stood
before a cheering crowd at a Dallas Christian youth centre last week, and told
them about being 'born again' as a Christian.
'If you change their heart, then they change their behaviour. I know,' he
said, referring to his own conversion, which led to him giving up drinking.
Behind Bush were two banners. 'King of Kings', proclaimed one. 'Lord of
Lords', said the other. The symbolism of how fervent Christianity has become
deeply entwined with the most powerful man on the planet could not have been
stronger.
Few US Presidents have been as openly religious as Bush. Now a new book has
lifted the lid on how deep those Christian convictions run. It will stir up
controversy at a time when the administration is keen to portray its 'war on
terror' as non-religious.
The book, which depicts a President who prays each day and believes he is on
a direct mission from God, will give ammunition to critics who claim Bush's
administration is heavily influenced by extremist Christians.
Bush is already under fire for allowing the appointment of General William
Boykin to head the hunt for Osama bin Laden. Boykin, who speaks at evangelical
Christian meetings, once said the war on terror was a fight against Satan, and
also told a Somali warlord that, 'My God was bigger than his. I knew that my God
was a real God and his was an idol.'
Bush has also been accused of a 'creeping Christianisation' of federal
government programmes. In September, the government made more than $60 billion
available for religious charitable groups. Critics say the groups will be able
to use the cash to promote their religion. One group that benefited from
previous grants was an Iowa prison project that entitled inmates to televisions,
private bathrooms and computers - in return for Christian counselling.
Now Bush is likely to face intense scrutiny. The book, The Faith of George W.
Bush, was written by Christian author Stephen Mansfield. It details numerous
incidents where Bush's faith has been shown to be at the centre of his political
thinking.
Among Mansfield's revelations is his insistence that Bush and Tony Blair have
prayed together at a private meeting at Camp David. Blair has previously denied
this.
Mansfield, however, says that, while there were no witnesses, aides were left
in little doubt as to what had happened. He told The Observer: 'There is no
question they have shared scripture and prayed together.'
The book also shows that in the lead-up to announcing his candidacy for the
presidency, Bush told a Texan evangelist that he had had a premonition of some
form of national disaster happening.
Bush said to James Robinson: '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.'
In another incident, Mansfield recounts how, on Palm Sunday last year, Bush
was flying back from El Salvador aboard the presidential jet Air Force One and
seemed to be destined to miss church.
However, knowing that Bush hated to miss a service, some officials suggested
they worship in the air. Bush agreed, and soon 40 officials were crammed into
the plane's conference room. The service was led by National Security Adviser
Condoleezza Rice, while the lesson was read by close Bush aide Karen Hughes.
The author also proves anecdotes about Bush that had previously been
dismissed as false. Rumours that he had prayed with a young soldier who had lost
a hand in Iraq were thought to be myth, but Mansfield tracked down witnesses and
a hospital chaplain who said that Bush had prayed with the man, ending by
kissing him on the forehead and telling him he loved him. 'For me, that sums up
Bush's beliefs. He really believes Jesus is taken up in his heart and soul,'
Mansfield said.
· A woman rammed a car carrying her children, aged three, five and
eight, into a building where Bush was campaigning in Mississippi yesterday.
Betina Mixon, 29, was dragged away at gunpoint and charged with aggravated
assault.
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Title: Guardian | Bush says God chose him to lead his nation