BBC News report

[Stumpy]

Just finished watching a news report on a BBC Newsnight special. They did a feature on Bush's religious beliefs. There was an implicit suggestion that Bush is starting the war in order to bring about Armageddon and thus the second coming of Christ as foretold in the Bible (apparently). I found this extraordinary, Newsnight is "hardcore" news programme, strong on reportage and analysis. The report made a good case for religion being a major component in Bush's motivation for getting involved in the war. Three "experts" were interviewed after the piece, one of whom is Bush's Religious Affairs advisor (he actually has one!). None of them disputed that Bush had a religious motivation for the war, the only disagreement was the level of the motivation. Article quoted a survey that found 50% of Americans believe that "America has a special place in God's eye".

Stumpy

 

[Yahzi]

I don't like Bush, but I don't think he's that far out.

Some of his advisors are, though.

 

[arcticpenguin]

I don't like Bush, but I don't think he's that far out.

Some of his advisors are, though.

That is a serious problem. Bush relies heavily on his advisors, since he is a dim bulb himself.

 

[Baker]

Bush uses Christianity card as most politicians do but he is also apart of the Skull and Bones from Yale who use pagan ritual’s.

 

[Baker]

That is a serious problem. Bush relies heavily on his advisors, since he is a dim bulb himself.

Yes those who disagree with are political opinions tend to be dim bulb’s.

 

[Kess]

I was about to start a similar thread concerning a BBC report (probably based on the Newsnight piece) about Bush's religious beliefs at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/2921345.stm. It's scary.

Middle Eastern religious groups are often described as misguided, brainwashed, wild-eyed fanatics who perform all manner of terrorist atrocities in the name of Allah. Now we learn that US regime may be heading down a similar fundamentalist religious path. (Before anyone gets upset, I don't mean the US are in danger of turning into terrorists, but their policies could be affected by a we-can-do-no-wrong-as-God-is-on-our-side kind of arrogance).

Almost as scary are the comments on evangelists, Armageddon and the works of Tim LeHaye:

One in three American Christians call themselves evangelicals and many evangelicals believe the second coming of Christ will occur in the Middle East after a titanic battle with the anti-Christ. Does the president believe he is playing a part in the final events of Armageddon? If true, it is an alarming thought. But he would not be alone, as 59% of all Americans believe that what is written in the Bible's Book of Revelations will come to pass.

Tim LeHaye is an evangelical minister who has written 10 best-selling novels based on the Book of Revelations. With exquisite timing, his 11th, called Armageddon, will be published next week. In his latest novel we see the anti-Christ, armed with nuclear weapons, setting up camp at New Babylon in Iraq.

The millions of Americans who believe in the biblical prophecies see this war in a very particular way and among them, George Bush's stark talk of good versus evil plays very well.

Anyone read any of LeHaye's books? Any comments?

 

[Finella]

Anyone read any of LeHaye's books? Any comments?

If they're referring to the "Left Behind" series (can't remember the authors' names, I believe there are actually two), then I've seen one of them. Haven't read through it as I prolly couldn't stand the thing. But it's written like a novel, with everyone who's been left behind to suffer the last millennium after the Righteous got flashed directly to heaven trying to figure out what's going on. I honestly suspect there are people out there who _almost_ take this series as a prediction of what's to come, although I'm sure the authors would deny that they are making predictions. But it's meant to sound very realistic and applicable to current political realities, probably in order to scare people into becoming Christian.

As far as Bush goes, I don't know if he is of this ilk. I tend to agree with Yahzi on that score. But if his advisors are of that ilk, then yes, we are in deep doo-doo. Very deep. I can't believe those stats... that many Americans believe in the literal prophecy of the book of Revelation? My God. Indeed. We surely will bring it about ourselves, at this rate.

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