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Bush: All religions
pray to same God 
'That's what I believe. I believe Islam
is a great religion that preaches peace'

President George Bush has repeated his belief all religions, "whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God" – an assertion that caused outrage among evangelical leaders when he said it in November 2003.

Bush made the statement Friday in an interview with Al Arabiya reporter Elie Nakouzi.

Al Arabiya is Al Jazeerah's top competitor in the Mideast.

As the president and Nakouzi walked from the Oval Office to the Map Room in the White House residence, Nazouki asked, "But I want to tell you – and I hope this doesn't bother you at all – that in the Islamic world they think that President Bush is an enemy of Islam – that he wants to destroy their religion, what they believe in. Is that in any way true, Mr. President?"

"No, it's not," said Bush. "I've heard that, and it just shows [sic] to show a couple of things: One, that the radicals have done a good job of propagandizing. In other words, they've spread the word that this really isn't peaceful people versus radical people or terrorists, this is really about the America not liking Islam.

"Well, first of all, I believe in an Almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace. And I believe people who murder the innocent to achieve political objectives aren't religious people, whether they be a Christian who does that – we had a person blow up our – blow up a federal building in Oklahoma City who professed to be a Christian, but that's not a Christian act to kill innocent people.

"And I just simply don't subscribe to the idea that murdering innocent men, women and children – particularly Muslim men, women and children in the Middle East – is an act of somebody who is a religious person.

Friday's statement echoes one made by Bush in November 2003 during a joint press conference with then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. A reporter noted Bush had frequently expressed the view that freedom is a gift from "the Almighty," but questioned whether Bush believes "Muslims worship the same Almighty" as the president and other Christians do.

"I do say that freedom is the Almighty's gift to every person. I also condition it by saying freedom is not America's gift to the world," Bush replied. "It's much greater than that, of course. And I believe we worship the same god," reported the London Telegraph.

Reaction from U.S. evangelical leaders was swift and strong.

Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination, was quoted in the Baptist Press as saying the president "is simply mistaken."

According to a Washington Post account, Land said in an interview: "We should always remember that he is commander in chief, not theologian in chief. The Bible is clear on this: The one and true god is Jehovah, and his only begotten son is Jesus Christ."

The Rev. Ted Haggard, then-president of the National Association of Evangelicals, also contradicted the president in a press statement. "The Christian God encourages freedom, love, forgiveness, prosperity and health," said Haggard. "The Muslim god appears to value the opposite. The personalities of each god are evident in the cultures, civilizations and dispositions of the peoples that serve them. Muhammad's central message was submission; Jesus' central message was love. They seem to be very different personalities."

In November 2006, Haggard was forced to resign from NAE following allegations of drug use and sex with a homosexual prostitute.

Gary Bauer, former presidential candidate and president of American Values, said Bush's comment was "not helpful to the president. Since everybody agrees he's not a theologian, he would be much better advised to punt when he gets that kind of question."

In Friday's interview with Al Arabiya, Bush emphasized his outreach to Muslims.

"We are having an Iftaar dinner tonight – I say, 'we' – it's my wife and I," Bush told Nakouzi. "This is the seventh one in the seven years I've been the president. It gives me a chance to say 'Ramadan Mubarak.' The reason I do this is I want people to understand about my country. In other words, I hope this message gets out of America. I want people to understand that one of the great freedoms in America is the right for people to worship any way they see fit. If you're a Muslim, an agnostic, a Christian, a Jew, a Hindu, you're equally American.

"And the value – the most valuable thing I think about America is that – particularly if you're a religious person – you can be free to worship, and it's your choice to make. It's not the state's choice, and you shouldn't be intimidated after you've made your choice. And that's a right that I jealously guard.

"Secondly, I want American citizens to see me hosting an Iftaar dinner."

"That's a strong message for the Americans," said Nakouzi.

Last year, WND reported criticism of Bush from Wafa Sultan, a native of Syria, who said the president was empowering terrorist leaders whose ultimate aim is for Islamic law to govern the world by proclaiming Islam a "religion of peace."

"I believe he undermines our credibility by saying that," said Sultan. "We came from Islam, and we know what kind of religion Islam is."

WOW! - President Bush is showing a horrible ignorance of the Holy Bible. Either that or he's using blasphemy for politics. Either way, I'm very disappointed in him.

I could see a politician promoting and encouraging peace in all religions. The comparison should be peace instead of violence - not comparing gods with a little "g". I could also see a politician bragging about groups from various religions who are known for being gentle and peaceful people. BUT the rest of it is unacceptable for a Christian. It would have to be gross ignorance or lies.

We are living during a time where just about anything goes. We can easily see a rapid movement toward one-world religion and Universalism. Mankind might tolerate it, but ALMIGHTY GOD Will NEVER tolerate it! Pandering to the false religions of this world has done NOTHING for peace! If anything, all of the pandering has made them worse and more bold. So, along with the violence is a plague of IGNORANCE!

I felt the same way when I first read this.



The more I see this sort of pandering the more I am reminded of an old saying "It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favor of vegetarianism while the wolf remains of different opinion." Many are falling into this trap and by doing so are setting themselves up to be devoured by satan himself. Trying to convince someone that their religion is peaceful when their own leaders teach violence will lead to that destruction in one manner or another.

The sheepskin is finally slipping off the wolf enough so people are beginning to see what is underneath.

My own opinion is God making Bush to do this...... As ya'll know God does what He wants but, this also set the stage for the one world order and one world religion.

I can't believe you said that. What Bush is doing could turn people away from God. Why would God purposely make people turn from him? He wouldn't! God doesn't make people do bad things!

Hello Brother David,

The BIG thought here is the end days of this Age of Grace.

I don't know how I would put things or talk about this subject, but I'll try.

First, GOD knew you would ask this question before the world was formed, and GOD knew exactly how I would answer you. GOD also knew that I would have a hard time answering this question because only GOD has all of the answers.

There are three or more parts to this question, and I think that the first part of the question is the most important, so please bear with me:

1 - WHEN? - When will the last days of the Age of Grace events start to happen? Exactly and precisely - to the second when GOD planned that they would millions of years ago - long before HE even created mankind. In other words, every event will happen at GOD'S appointed time. As an huge example, JESUS CHRIST was crucified at GOD'S appointed time. GOD knew what Judas would do and when Judas would do it. JESUS also knew the appointed time.

2 & 3 - HOW and WHO? - The only answers we have to these questions are in the Holy Bible. We do have some details to look at in the Holy Bible, but they leave many questions unanswered or have insufficient details to answer all of our specific questions. Regarding "WHEN?", the Bible does give good general information, but it also says that no man knows the day or the hour. Some of the "WHO?" blanks are filled in with specific entities that were known at the time CHRIST walked this earth. Further, some of those entities can be filled in with known information today. In a general way, the "HOW?" blanks are filled in with what will be done and who will do it. It should be noted that Bible Prophecy doesn't contain the names of any specific men for the end days of the Age of Grace events. The specific names mentioned are supernatural - GOD and the devil. GOD will use many people, and the devil will use many people. HOW AND WHO? - I don't know.

Brother David, we do know many specific things that will most definitely happen in the last days of this Age of Grace. It's my opinion that we are either in those last days or close to those last days. Maybe I'm right and maybe I'm wrong. I'll simply say that many specific things are happening that look like Bible Prophecy forming and becoming readied to be carried out. We know beyond any doubt that all events will happen at GOD'S Appointed Time and no man will be able to slow or hasten them. NOW, back to some questions:

1 - HOW much will GOD specifically cause to happen, and HOW GOD will do it? - I don't know, but I do know that things won't ALL come together simply by coincidence.

2 - WHO will GOD or the devil specifically use to put the events into motion? - I don't know, but I do know that things won't ALL come together simply by coincidence.

Brother David, I know that parts of my answer are horribly vague. They have to be because I'm not GOD - just a man. There is one point that I want to stress: things will NOT simply come together by coincidence. There is a 7 year period of time coming called the Tribulation Period, and that 7 years will be absolutely HORRIBLE! beyond anything that mankind can imagine. GOD knows the second it will begin and the second it will end. GOD not only will permit it, rather it's part of GOD'S plan in Bible Prophecy that WILL BE carried out most perfectly. Part of it will involve final battles between GOD and the good angels against the devil and the fallen angels. A big part of it will most definitely involve GOD pouring out HIS Righteous Wrath against evil men. This time will represent one where GOD'S Patience with men who disobey HIM and reject HIM has run out.

Brother David, there are a list of SIGNS in Bible Prophecy that indicate certain events might be happening or might be happening soon. Many of the SIGNS for the end of this Age of Grace are present. The events will be unmistakable when they begin to happen. Bluntly, they will involve death, destruction, blood, terror, and horror like no other time in history. The events of the Tribulation Period are Ordained by GOD. GOD Promised they would happen and they will.

Love In Christ,
Tom

I know it isn't a coincidence. I know it is a part of God's plan. I know God's judgments will be perfect. However I think it would be more correct to say, God is allowing Bush to say and do these things.

Hello Brother David,

Regarding the specifics of George Bush, only GOD knows. It's also true that only GOD knows how HE will specifically usher in the Tribulation Period. The devil will participate in the Tribulation Period, and the devil will be allowed to do all kinds of things that are horrible. However, GOD is in charge. I know this is very difficult to understand. In fact, one can study Bible Prophecy for many years and only have a partial understanding. GOD gives us the most complete and easy to understand information about the END RESULTS. GOD will also deal uniquely and specifically with Israel and THE CHURCH WHICH IS THE BODY OF CHRIST.

Love In Christ,
Tom

This isn't the first time George Bush has said this:

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 "I don’t talk about a particular faith. I believe the Lord can work through many faiths, whether it be the Christian faith, the Jewish faith, Muslim faith, Hindu faith."

"In an October 26, 2004, Good Morning American interview with Charles Gibson, Bush was asked: "Do we all worship the same God, Christian and Muslim?" His reply: "I think we do.""


He also said in 1994: "In his Good Morning American interview, Bush was also asked by Charles Gibson: "Do Christians and non-Christians and Muslims go to heaven in your mind?" His reply: "Yes, they do. We have different routes of getting there."



From http://www.lewrockwell.com/vance/vance44.html (http://www.lewrockwell.com/vance/vance44.html)

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Jesus said: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one cometh to the Father but by me". So either George Bush or Jesus is either mistaken or a liar.

... and we know who is not a liar.

"Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils.Of what account is he?" Isaiah 2:22

There will be those that will come that will deceive. Irregardless it is still in God's plan and He will win in the end.

Hello Brother Rhys,

It's great to hear from you and see you back on the forum.

Ref. George Bush, I'll simply say that I'm shocked about quite a few recent events. I didn't know about the interview in 2004. His statements are blasphemy as far as I'm concerned. I pray for our leaders every day whether I like them or not, so I'll keep praying for him. However, I no longer respect him, and I think that he's doing a lot of damage to what's left of this country.

Brother, it's also possible that we're watching Bible Prophecy unfolding before our very eyes. Who knows? Maybe George Bush was at the right place and the right time for GOD'S Bigger Plans - the ushering in of the last days of this Age of Grace and the Tribulation Period. I don't claim to know the time, and I certainly don't hint that I understand how GOD will bring everything together. I simply know what GOD Promised in Bible Prophecy, and I think those things are about to happen. As for Christians, I'm convinced that we should keep standing for the things of GOD until we are taken Home to Glory. I don't think that a real Christian would dare compare ALMIGHTY GOD to the gods of false religions.