Since he is so into prayer, did he pray to God to ruin the United States? It appears so, because we are fucked.
Let us begin.
Some people do not like Barack Obama. That's usually due to either ignorance or a difference in politics. I can totally understand that. There will always be stupid people who make assumptions about people. There will also be Americans who have a difference of opinion about the direction of this country. Never will there be a person that people will totally agree with 100% of the time. No matter who you are, there are about a billion people who hate your guts. That sounds sophomoric and simple enough. But people live off of concepts and not reality. In this country, "Good Christian" remains one of the biggest compliments that you can give a person.
That's one of the main reasons why I like Barack Obama. I think that guy is totally lying about being a Christian. I am sure that the dude is (at minimum) an agnostic. That's because you canNOT be anything but a theist in this country and win an election. It's so awesome that he "was not raised in a religious household". It seems - while he was a community organizer- the realization came that he needed those stupid ass black churches. So all of a sudden he came to understand "the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change". That sounds like complete bullshit. Thankfully, it's the good kind of bullshit. Who cares what you think about him as a prez. If you are an atheist, you have to see a change coming in the political landscape with a "christian" like him.
On the other hand, there is George W. Bush. This is the man that most people hate. He was so hated, and made so many fucking awful decisions, that a black man got elected right after him. I used to hate the dude. Now, I don't hate him at all. There are a few reason why I don't hate him. The first reason is because he is a product of his environment like most people. Whatever your parents are like, you usually are going to mirror them (especially as you get older). The second reason is because he is not an intellectual. I don't mean stupid. As much as it would please me to say that the guy is an idiot, we all know that he is not that damn dumb. We can only go off of his linguistic errors. That really doesn't make a person an idiot. It just means that they cannot speak in public very well. I do think he is not an intellectual. By "intellectual", I mean someone who can use critical thinking skills in every aspect of their life. I don't think his brain works like that. I am sure he can probably run a construction site. It takes some brains to do that. However, I don't think he can be on the city council in a city for 5,000 people. The final reason why I don't hate him anymore, is because I think he is honest. Does his honesty translate into good decisions. Hell no. Have many of his decisions been life and death... many times resulting in death? Absolutely. But when you believe you have God on your side, you cannot see it as your fault. When you think God is working through you, you lose the ability to take responsibility for your actions. I often here people placing responsible on the Devil. I'll hear "The Devil made me do it!" or "Satan is alive and well doing his job" when referring to evil acts. No one ever takes any credit. Bush does a very similar thing. He seems to give God the credit for everything he does. Unlike the clergy, who make all the shit up, I believe he is honest. He really does believe that God nonsense. Let's remember everybody. God is totally not real. The Devil is even worse. Not in terms of badness. I talking about the ridiculousness of both concepts.
I am having trouble with understanding something. A question for the theists. How do you rank someone who talks to God? Even theist give about three rankings. The worst is bat-shit insane. These are the people who really do believe that they are talking to God and God talks back. Most people consider these believers as psycho, but honest. The telltale sign is usually flamboyant personality or saying extreme things that come off as nuts. The mid level are people who are mistaken. Theists think that these people only think they are experiencing God. Then there are the liars and false prophets. Liars and False Prophets are self explanatory. Finally there are the vessels, prophets, saints, and people of questionable background. It really doesn't matter what you call them. The followers truly do believe that this group really speaks to God, experience his power, or "work" through him. My question is, how can you tell which is which. What kind of discerning questions do you ask the person who claims to know God. Maybe "Does God have a voice like Tiny Tim or James Earl Jones?" If you answer Tiny Tim, you are telling the truth. "Is God Black or White?" If you answered half Arab and Half Eskimo, you are truly the prophet of The Lord.
The point I am trying to make is, George W. Bush does not ask these types of questions. He just believes that God is with him 100% of the way 110% of the time. You know what? He is no different than any theists that possibly believe such a thing can be true. How many of us know someone who says, "I asked for this job, and Jesus made sure I got it"? They are not intellectual enough to stop lying to themselves and think "I pray 100 times a day and the one time something works out, I decide that God did it for me. That makes no sense." So no matter how much of a Jesus Freak you think Bush is, your grandmother is probably the same damn way.
The biggest difference is, Granny was not the President of The United States. Granny did not do whatever the fuck he wanted to do and give God all the credit when things when right, and invoked Satan when things went totally horrible.I could break down Afghanistan, Iraq, his anti-homosexual stance, lack of sexual education to children, his record on the environment ("God's Creation"), and his allegiance with the Christian Right - among many other things. That is too easy. I want us to remember who he was. We can still see the effects of what he did. However, we always seemed to forget the crazy shit that he said. I decided to search Bush + Quotes + Religion. What I found is a website http://pierretristam.com/. They have fifty different quotes on God. I decided to pick my favorites.
1. I am driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, 'George go and fight these terrorists in Afghanistan'. And I did. And then God would tell me 'George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq'. And I did. And now, again, I feel God's words coming to me, 'Go get the Palestinians their state and get the Israelis their security, and get peace in the Middle East'. And, by God, I'm gonna do it." Sharm el-Sheikh August 2003.
2. I trust God speaks through me. Without that, I couldn't do my job.
Statement made during campaign visit to Amish community, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Jul. 9, 2004
3. I'm also mindful that man should never try to put words in God's mouth. I mean, we should never ascribe natural disasters or anything else to God. We are in no way, shape, or form should a human being, play God. Washington, D.C., Jan. 14, 2005
4. God loves you, and I love you. And you can count on both of us as a powerful message that people who wonder about their future can hear. Los Angeles, California, Mar. 3, 2004
5. I tell people all the time, you're equally American if you're a Christian, Jew, or Muslim. You're equally American if you believe in an Almighty or don't believe in an Almighty. That's a sacred freedom.
Washington, D.C., Mar. 10, 2006
6. Well, first of all, you got to understand some of my view on freedom, it's not American's gift to the world. See, freedom is God -- is God given. Interview with TVR, Romania, Nov. 23, 2002
7. I'm sure there is some kind of heavy doctrinal difference, which I'm not sophisticated enough to explain to you. Explaining the issues involved in his switching from attending an Episcopal church to attending a Methodist one, (date is approximate:), Jul. 1, 1994
8. I don't think you order suiciders to kill innocent men, women, and children if you're a religious person. Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, Jul. 14, 2004
9. And there's nothing more powerful in helping change the country than the faith -- faith in Dios.
National Hispanic Prayer Breakfast, Washington, D.C., May 16, 2002
10. We believe in an Almighty, we believe in the freedom for people to worship that Almighty. They don't. Martinsburg, West Virginia, Jul. 4, 2007
11. The spirit of our people is the source of America's strength. And we go forward with trust in that spirit, confidence in our purpose, and faith in a loving God who made us to be free.
5th anniversary of the Sep. 11 attacks, White House, Sep. 11, 2006
12. Churches all across the country are reaching out -- synagogues, people from different faiths understand that it makes sense to help their parishioners realize the benefits of this plan.
Sun City Center, Florida, May 9, 2006
13.We can never replace lives, and we can't heal hearts, except through prayer.
Enterprise, Alabama, Mar. 3, 2007
14. God bless the people of this part of the world. Minneapolis, Minnesota, Aug. 4, 2007
15. I believe there's an Almighty, and I believe the Almighty's great gift to each man and woman in this world is the desire to be free. This isn't America's gift to the world, it is a universal gift to the world, and people want to be free. Manhattan, Kansas, Jan. 23, 2006
16. I couldn't imagine somebody like Osama bin Laden understanding the joy of Hanukkah
White House, Dec. 10, 200117.
17. I see an opportunity at home when I hear the stories of Christian and Jewish women alike, helping women of cover, Arab American women go shop because they're afraid to leave their home.
Washington, D.C., Oct. 4, 2001
18. It's a sign from above. Comment made when television light caught fire above crowd, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Mar. 9, 2001
19. I did denounce it. I de- I denounced it. I denounced interracial dating. I denounced anti-Catholic bigacy... bigotry. Responding to attacks on his visit to ultra-conservative Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina, Feb. 25, 2000
20. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy, grateful for the loved ones who give meaning to our lives, and grateful for the many gifts of this prosperous land. On Thanksgiving we acknowledge that all of these things, and life itself, come not from the hand of man, but from Almighty God.
Washington, D.C., Nov. 30, 2002
21. We say in our country, everybody matters, everybody is precious in the sight of an Almighty.
Northern State University, Aberdeen, South Dakota, Oct. 31, 2002
22. We love the fact that people can worship an almighty God any way they see fit here in America.
Phoenix, Arizona, Sep. 28, 2002
23. And I just -- I cannot speak strongly enough about how we must collectively get after those who kill in the name of -- in the name of some kind of false religion.
Press appearance with King Abdullah of Jordan, Aug. 1, 2002
24. We are commanded by God and called by our conscience to love others as we want to be loved ourselves. Ohio State University, Jun. 14, 2002
25. By being active citizens in your church or your synagogue, or for those Muslims, in your mosque, and adhering to the admission to love a neighbor just like you'd like to be loved yourself, that's how we can stand up.
Remarks to the cattle industry annual convention and trade show, Denver, Colorado, Feb. 8, 2002
26. And we base it, our history, and our decision making, our future, on solid values. The first value is, we're all God's children. Washington, D.C., Jul. 16, 2003
27. One of the great things about this country is a lot of people pray. Washington, D.C., Apr. 13, 2003
28. And there's no doubt in my mind, when the United States acts abroad and home, we do so based upon values -- particularly the value that we hold dear to our hearts, and that is, everybody ought to be free. I want to repeat what I said during my State of the Union to you. Liberty is not America's gift to the world. What we believe strongly, and what we hold dear, is liberty is God's gift to mankind. And we hold that value precious. And we believe it is true. White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Feb. 9, 2003
29. This great, powerful nation is motivated not by power for power's sake, but because of our values. If everybody matters, if every life counts, then we should hope everybody has the great God's gift of freedom. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Jan. 29, 2003
30. The short-term objective of this country is to find an enemy and bring them to justice before they strike us. The long-term objective is to make this world a more free and hopeful and peaceful place. I believe we'll succeed because freedom is the Almighty God's gift to every man and woman in this world.
Portsmouth, Ohio, Sep. 10, 2004
31. And if you choose to -- if you believe in the Almighty, you can -- you're equally an American. If you're a Jew, Christian or Muslim or Hindi or whatever. It is one of the great traits and traditions of our country, where people can worship the way you see fit. Interview on Larry King Live (CNN),, Aug. 15, 2004
32. By the way, to whom much has been given, much is owed. Not only are we leading the world in terms of encouraging freedom and peace, we're feeding the hungry. We're taking care of, as best as we possibly can, the victims of HIV/AIDS. Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jul. 20, 2004
33. Faith-based is an important part of my life, individually, but I don't -- I don't ascribe a person's opposing my nominations to an issue of faith. Prime time press conference, White House, Apr. 28, 2005
34. I believe liberty is universal. I don't believe it is just for the United States of America alone. I believe there is an Almighty, and I believe the Almighty's gift to people worldwide is the desire to be free. Fort Irwin, California, Apr. 4, 2007
35. What a powerful statement to the world about the compassion of the American people that you're free to choose the religion you want in our country. Washington, D.C., Sep. 29, 2006
36. The United States of America must understand that freedom is universal, that there is an Almighty, and the great gift of that Almighty to each man and woman in this world is the desire to be free. Nashville, Tennessee, Aug. 30, 2006
37. Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research. ...Human life is a gift from our Creator -- and that gift should never be discarded, devalued or put up for sale. 2006 State of the Union Address, Jan. 31, 2006
38. One of the most -- I think one of the most important and interesting domestic initiatives, which I agree has created an interesting philosophical debate, is to allow faith-based programs and community-based programs to access federal money in order to achieve the results we all want. I mean, for example, if you're trying to encourage people to quit drinking, doesn't it make sense to give people somebody an alternative -- he can maybe go to a government counselor? Or how about somebody who calls upon a higher being to help you quit drinking? All I care about is the results. Sterling, Virginia, Jan. 19, 2006
39. Every new citizen of the United States has an obligation to learn our customs and values, including liberty and civic responsibility, equality under God and tolerance for others, and the English language. Tucson, Arizona, Nov. 28, 2005
40. We have a calling from beyond the stars to stand for freedom, and America will always be faithful to that cause. Washington, D.C., Jan. 19, 2005
41.Secondly, it's really important, Pete, that people not think government is a loving entity. Government is law and justice. Love comes from the hearts of people that are able to impart love. And therefore, what Craig is doing is -- he doesn't realize it -- he's a social entrepreneur. He is inspiring others to continue to reach out to say to somebody who is lonely, I love you. And I'm afraid this requires a higher power than the federal government to cause somebody to love somebody.
42. We don't believe that freedom is America's gift to the world. We believe freedom is the God Almighty's gift to each and every person in the world. California, Oct. 15, 2003
43. I believe that, as I told the Crown Prince, the Almighty God has endowed each individual on the face of the earth with -- that expects each person to be treated with dignity. This is a universal call. Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Jun. 3, 2003
44. All of you -- all in this generation of our military -- have taken up the highest calling of history. You're defending your country, and protecting the innocent from harm. And wherever you go, you carry a message of hope -- a message that is ancient and ever new. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "To the captives, 'come out,' -- and to those in darkness, 'be free.' Aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln, a couple of miles away from San Diego May 1, 2003
45. It's so inspirational to see your courage, as well as to see the great works of our Lord in your heart. Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 10, 2003
46. As Dick mentioned, we mourn the loss of seven brave souls. We learned a lot about them over the last couple of days, and Laura and I learned a lot about their families in Houston, because we met with them. My impressions of the meeting was that there was -- that Almighty God was present in their hearts. Washington, D.C., Feb. 6, 2003
47. It's also important for people to know we never seek to impose our culture or our form of government. We just want to live under those universal values, God-given values. Washington, D.C., Oct. 11, 2002
48. Yet we do know that God has placed us together in this moment, to grieve together, to stand together, to serve each other and our country. Ellis Island, New York, Sep. 11, 2002
49. The reason I'm -- asked [these AmeriCorps workers] to join us here is because I want you to know, America can be saved one person at a time. Green Tree, Pennsylvania, Aug. 5, 2002
50. Government can hand out money, but it cannot put hope into people's hearts. It cannot put faith into people's lives. West Ashley High School, Charleston, South Carolina, Jul. 29, 2002
As you can see I had to leave each one in. I could not pick a top ten. I am sure we can all create some sort of game of "Who Said It?". We can find a quote (like one of the top fifty) and decide whether or not a crazy Jesus Freak, Clergy member, or Bush made the crazy comment. The loser has to read the Qu'ran.
In closing, I do not want you all to get the wrong idea about me. Bush very well may be an evil asshole. I just doubt it. Religion makes people do crazy things. If you have a Jewish-y or Arab-like last name in Texas, some ultra-conservative Christian hiring manager might not hire you. It's all the same. Bad decisions come from stupid religions We have to put this to a stop. The Separation of Church and State should count for politicians as well as ministers. Religious leaders who get tax breaks do not engage in politics. Once you become a politician, you should be prohibited from mentioning religion at all. Either that or find ourselves stuck with another Bush. There is always Neil, Marvin, and Jeb.
Secularism Forever
ReplyDelete