The Word according to Dubya: 50 religious insights from George Bush

George W. Bush talks to God but he also talks about God. Here are his top 50 quotes about religion, the Almighty, and putting words into God's mouth. Update: Bush recently said that he saw "God" in the eyes of Pope Benedict XVI.

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. 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

Source www.dubyaspeak.com

Comments

[geoffrey max Mordecai]

I'm sending this to my loved ones on my E-mail. I can feel the Jewish-Christian brotherhood and hope some Muslems will be ready to join the ranks and wipe out idolatry, because unfortunatly it is rampant. President Bush implores us saying that governments cannot solve the problems and as such acts as a leader and not just an administrator. Are we willing to be brothers and open our hearts for each other, if you think about it we don't really have so much to loose!

[Michelle Wetzler]

Very interesting, and terrifying. The separation of church and state is a joke in this country. The next election might bring us a minority president if Barack or Hillary are elected, but how long with it take before we have a non-Christian leader?

[Jason]

Separation of church and state (which technically doesn't exist, but we'll pretend you meant non-establishment or state religion) does not mean that the President must never speak about his faith, even in reference to matters of public policy. Understand what non-establishment means, then bitch about it.

[James Gray]

The list forgets his quote of September 16, 2001, when he said "This crusade, this war on terrorism is going to take a while." Or his "I really appreciate leaders from around the globe who have come to share in prayer with us today. It reminds me that the Almighty God is a God to everybody, every person." Which he said at the 51st Annual Congressional Prayer Breakfast on February 6, 2003). Which is better, of course, than his own father, who during an official press conference answered a question by saying "I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." I wish the Bushes would learn that being an American means following the principles of the Constitution, not the Bible.

[Jon Wayne]

Here's a great quote about religion that somehow missed the list...

I appreciate that question because I, in the state of Texas, had heard a lot of discussion about a faith-based initiative eroding the important bridge between church and state.

~George W Bush January 29, 2001,

Here's another...

Sherman: Surely you recognize the equal citizenship and patriotism of Americans who are Atheists?

Bush: No, I don't know that Atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.

He is dangerous.

Be Well.

[Swishi]

Far too dangerous mixing religion and politics, you can expect a war any-time soon they combine.

[Marie]

I don't see the problem with a Christian leader in a predominantly Christian country with Christian ethics and moral systems. True Bush doeson occasion make irrational judgements which are not adequately thought through but he is only human, give him a break and bring on more Christian leaders. I'd rather a conservative Christian than an extremist Muslim any day!

[hallie lund]

Inarticulate babble.

[stoneskyman]

One of the most important sayings he mentioned came from the writings in :LUKE - If youre not with us - youre against us - does this not make himself sound like he is playing god

[Miko]

Personally, I'd rather a conservative Muslim than an extremist Christian. In fact, I'd rather an extremist Muslim than an extremist Christian, considering that all the extremists and fundies with power in the US are Christian. A balance of terror might be desirable.

[AtheistUK]

I am an atheist. I find such rhetoric to be entirely and deeply distressing. It is illiberal and symptomatic of the innate authoritarianism of monotheistic dogma. It is dangerous. A Christian President must accept that any atheistic/agnostic minority (though being Western European, I am a part of the majority) must be accomodated.

[sal]

if bush means every american is free, than why are native americans still living on reservations???? god is used as an excuse by humans to hide behind when they do the things they do aganist other humans in the name of god.

[E.M.]

It's sheer, unmitigated lunacy: America is supposed to be "better" than this.
That said -- and with the understanding that Mr Bush's malapropisms will one day be his undoing -- the fact that I can wake up one day and practice as a Jew and go to bed that night having discovered Buddha (or Jesus, for that matter), and NOT be stoned to death for it...well, that is the point here. THe rules of life have changed; the best we can do is assure the citizens of a free world that they can practice however they choose to, and remain safe.
Nevertheless, the man is something of a dope, but I get his point.

[Shani-Schindler]

He has no idea what he is talking about, nor has he got any idea to what christianity is. Because of his actions and words, the world has a different and negative perspective on christianity.
In my point of view, how much freedom should one be allowed to have? Moral values have been set to limit the freedom that we have so that we would not lead ourselves into destruction.

I still wonder now, as I wondered then, "how did he became the president?"

[frank, sydney]

George Bush snr:

"I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
"I support the separation of church and state. I'm just not very high on atheists."

George W. Bush:

"For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America."

"Every nation in every region now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists."

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."

"I know what I believe. I will continue to articulate what I believe and what I believe - I believe what I believe is right."

"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier - so long as I'm the dictator."

"I'm the commander - see, I don't need to explain - I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being President."

"Our nation is chosen by God and commissioned by history to be a model to the world."

No comment needed.

[Chris White]

Mentalist.

[Max, Wien]

I dont understand why people have to get so offeneded every time God is mentioned. Half if not more of these comments say how Christians are fanatics, and so forth... What is so bad about being Christian?

[KC]

If you are a true believer, you should take a rational look at the huge damage George Bush has done to the reputation of Christian faith in the past few years.

[CS]

That does not answer the question really - What is so bad about being a Christian? Or, for that matter, holding any other belief system including Atheism. Just because George Bush has weakened the reputation of Christians and the Christian faith, one should not restrict his freedom to declare what he understands - no matter how incomprehensible that might be to the rest of the world. People who decry Bush's statements about his faith as being inappropriate or "mentalist" or "dangerous" should have a look at the proverbial log in their own eye first (excuse the Christian overtones); in saying such things they are effectively supporting a restriction of the freedoms of belief and speech that they claim to hold so dear.

[Brien Comerford]

As an American I am really miffed about George Bush's horrible record on the environment. He always mentions profound reverence for God but he has decimated and massacred God's creation and creatures with the utmost, ungodly irreverence.

[M. Bright]

Please, this guy hasn't a religious bone in his body. And neither do 99 percent of the rest of the Republican politicians. They make a big show of religion because they're required to cater to the most ignorant, silly hillbillies who make up an important constituency in the Southern states.

This kowtowing to a bunch of religious psychos is what happens when you enfranchise too many people. You end up with a dictatorship of the mad and the stupid.

[michael]

He is definitely unable to think or he would have rejected all religion as false. Religion also does immense harm to millions around the world. that is why many are not atheists but antitheist. Religion is the enemy of intelligence.

[Nicolette Ladoulis]

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.

--Not sure where this came from, but this is as interesting as it is scary. I think I´m American. I might still be Christian...It´s sad to read all this. But #41 takes the cake. I guess he's never heard the term "social justice." The idea of which, interestingly, came from the Jewish culture. But I guess it´s what our constitution intended, limited government, freedom from government and tyranny. Democrats and Republicans alike have this way of thinking. Even JFK held the same belief in a way. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.." I really don't know what it means to be "American" any more actually. I think Americans are maybe going through an identity crisis, which is why the religious theme is coming up. Government's only mandate is to basically not exist, it would seem. At least government in a democracy is supposed to be of the people,i.e. consumers, taxpayers. You´d think they´d at least understand, they get what they pay for..

[David]

I love this President. He is of the highest moral quality and character. What a breath of fresh air compared to the Clinton years. God bless you Mr. President

[Sam]

So its ok for George Bush to bomb the hell out of Iraq because he thinks God told him to, but yet he condemns the twin towers attackers, even though they claim God told them to bomb America?? Mr Bush is the same type of terrorist, just following a different religion- you can't use God as an excuse to bomb other countries!