Interesting Quote From President Bush’s Press Conference This Morning
A very interesting quote from his press conference this morning in which a reporter asked the following question:
REPORTER: “Mr. President, your victory at the polls came about in part because of strong support from people of faith, in particular, Christian evangelicals and Pentecostals and others. And Senator Kerry drew some of his strongest support from those who do not attend religious services. What do you make of this religious divide, it seems, becoming a political divide in this country? And what do you say to those who are concerned about the role of a faith they do not share in public life and in your policies?”
To which he replied:
PRESIDENT: “Yes, my answer to people is, I will be your President regardless of your faith, and I don’t expect you to agree with me necessarily on religion. As a matter of fact, no President should ever try to impose religion on our society.
A great — the great tradition of America is one where people can worship the way they want to worship. And if they choose not to worship, they’re just as patriotic as your neighbor. That is an essential part of why we are a great nation. And I am glad people of faith voted in this election. I’m glad — I appreciate all people who voted. I don’t think you ought to read anything into the politics, the moment, about whether or not this nation will become a divided nation over religion. I think the great thing that unites is the fact you can worship freely if you choose, and if you — you don’t have to worship. And if you’re a Jew or a Christian or a Muslim, you’re equally American. That is — that is such a wonderful aspect of our society; and it is strong today and it will be strong tomorrow.”
The full transcript as well as audio and video of the press conference can be viewed here (whitehouse.gov).
From this, one of the most important quotes that we should all remember for the next four years has come into the light:
“. . . no President should ever try to impose religion on our society.”
This will be very important quote as we gear up for the very real possibility of a fight for Gay Rights, Reproductive Rights and the next Supreme Court Justice(s). His public reasoning on these issues has been related to his beliefs as a Christian, disregarding the wishes and beliefs of those of other religious faiths . . . or of no religious faith at all.
So which is it Mr. Bush, are we going to take the religious road or are we going to take the road that is best for the American people as a whole? You can’t have it both ways.
On a separate but related note, I have been struggling with what to write here for quite some time . . . I think this journal just found its purpose.