The Faith of George W. Bush
by Stephen Mansfield
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Book Reviews of The Faith of George W. Bush
Book Review: entertaining at least
Summary: 3 Stars
George Bush feels hes been "called" to run for a higher office, does he? Ah the things people will believe. I have been waiting ever since December of 2000 for a book like this to come out. When I finally got the chance to read one, it was exactly what I expected (unfortunately). It is extremely clear that Bush's semi-success (I wont even go there) in the 2000 election was dependent largely on the "Religious Right". This is one of the most powerful political forces in America, and has a certain tendency to desire to diminish the distinction between church and state. This group is who this book is written for. Bush has made some pretty bad decisions in the last 3 years, and the Religious Right needs this book to comfort themselves. The "hidden" point in this book seems to be that a vote against Bush is a vote against God. I wonder if Bush was "called" by God or Jesus or whoever to go to war with Iraq? We all know Jesus's teachings on how the poor are to be dealt with. I guess the democratic-leaning economic tendencies of Jesus (giving to the poor, "blessed are the poor", etc.) are cancelled out by the abortion issue, which Jesus never talked about, but apparently has very strong feelings about. Or the commandment and Jesus's teaching "thou shalt not kill" (death penalty issue) or that divorce is adultery and is therefore punishable by death? Jesus never talked about homosexuality but I suppose it is somehow very clear that he himself had very strong feelings on the issue as well, possibly strong enough to balance out the divorce and death penalty issue. These are some of the many problems I have with associating Christianity and political conservatism hand in hand.
This book is just a political tool for the Religious Right. Despite Bush's alcoholism, buisness failures, and family problems, he is a good God-fearing Christian man and therefore you should vote for him. Give me a break!
(I gave this a 3 because even though I read the book, I didn't focus so much on the content as the problems I have with it so as not to lower the overall score by too much)
Book Review: we need morals not vietnam vets
Summary: 5 Stars
What we need is a TRUE christian and this book tells you all about one of the best=Bush. It talks about when Bush said in the old debates that Jesus was his favoright filosofer that proves who the REAL christians is. I liked that a lot and I new it was a moment for the history books and I was rite, I knew I wood vote for him from then on because noone ever said anything like that before. This book tales it like it is! I wood give it 10 satars if I cood. It makes me so mad when people try toput him down saying he is bad because of all the executions in texas--well you don't live here, it is bad, we need all the executions and more to stop all the crime that is going on here, they always say it is a raceist thing, but like Frum says what do you expect when most of the bad crimes are done by african americans. I think Hannity said that too! That is not Bushes fault is it!. I just think that they deserve what they get. It explains all this in this book about how the bible says he ort to do it like it says right in the bible spare the rod and spoil the child and that is all Bush is doing, just like Frum says. Their is also a bunch of other quotes I could show you to show how BUSH is right to! And the same goes for the grate war for freedum in Iran to get rid of the evildoers and all the weapons of mast destruction that they is thretining the wold by. In the bible the Isrealites fought many wars that God wanted and they WON, this one is not any different from them. Jesus said he who lives by the sord will die by the sord and that is exactly what we are giving to Saddom Husane right now, I am just glad we have a grate leeder to carry forword are christian beleefs and from reeding this book any one can see that Bush is the MAN for us. I get so sick of everyone saying he is bad or critisizing him on the liberal news all the time, well he is not I just wish they would be quite or get out of the country if they ca'nt say anything good at all. This is vary good book that shuld be red by all patreotic americans! WWJD=Bush/Chainey 2004!Book Review: the mustard seed that grew deep roots
Summary: 5 Stars
Carefuly researched and well written, this biography is refreshing in its unbiased, non-partisan portrait of our 43rd president. It talks about his forty years of aimless living, when he was a rowdy hard drinker and not much of a student, without condoning or condemning; his road to redemption starting in 1985, when George Bush would say Billy Graham "planted a mustard seed in my soul" is a fascinating "prodigal son" history, as is the theory (once suggested by Gail Sheehy) cited in Chapter Three, that Bush, like his hero Winston Churchill (who was also an academic disappointment, and lacking in reading skills), is an "undiagnosed dyslexic". Churchill would practice his speeches for days for fear of making a mistake, and there seems to be a language disorder that makes Bush's opponents want to "misunderestimate" his intelligence. Chapter Seven, which deals with 9/11, follows the timeline of those first agonizing days, and how we saw Bush become stronger in the midst of the turmoil, especially on the 14th, when after his powerful speech at the National Cathedral memorial service, he went to ground zero, and clambered onto a destroyed fire truck, with rescue worker and retired fireman Bill Beckwith. It was unrehearsed and unplanned, and pure Bush.
Also interesting and informative are the explanations in the final chapters of how we have gradually deviated from the intent of the Founding Fathers when they wrote the First Ammendment, and the reasons for the shift in policy.
Those who quote Bible passages and say that Christianity is not compatible with war, perhaps have not read the entire Bible; Jesus said that the time would come when we should sell our garments for a sword (Luke 22:36), and perhaps in this post 9/11 world we are in such a time.
The more I read about George Bush, and the more I listen and observe, the more I like, respect, and admire him, "this flawed Everyman, indefinable commander in chief".
Book Review: My favorite book of 2004
Summary: 5 Stars
The hardcover edition of "The Faith of George W. Bush" came out in late 2003, but I didn't pick this up until the paperback edition was issued in 2004. I read it while on vacation this summer, and re-read it recently. While not a hefty volume (190 pages), the author covers a LOT of ground, and it was definitely worthwhile to re-read it.
In "The Faith of George W. Bush", author Stephen Mansfield covers how religion has been a part of George W. Bush's life, from growing up in Texas to the high school and college years in New England to the aimless years thereafter, and finally as Bush finds his groove (Rangers baseball co-owner, Texas Governor), on his way to the White House. One thing that becomes clear is that while of course there are a number of pivotal evolutions in the growth of Bush's spiritual life, there was not one single event that causes Bush to become born again. Just a couple of anecdotes from the book that stayed with me: on running for President, Bush says (in early 1999) that "I feel like God wants me to run for President. I can't explain it, but I feel my country is going to need me." This was 2 years before 9/11, wow. Bush on the success of faith-based initiatives while he was governor of Texas: "Government can do certain things very well, but it cannot hope in our hearts or o sense of purpose in our lives." So true!
The author makes clear that George W. Bush has committed many mistakes. Let he who has never made a mistake himself, throw the first stone. The reason why the President resonates well with a majority of this country is that he "talks the talk, and walks the walk". This is a wonderful book. Highly recommended!
Book Review: BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM
Summary: 1 Stars
The faith of George Bush is in what? Money? Oil? His dad?
My Lord said Love thy enemy and do good to those who harm you
Not kill a million iraqis for oil fields
My Lord said it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven
Not give all our national treasury and indebtedness to the wealthiest corporations while impoverishing our people and leaving our elderly and infirm to drown in a rainstorm
My Lord said Blessed are the peacemakers
not those who keep changing their lies about going to war.
What is his faith again?
My Lord said: Not all those who cry Lord, Lor shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
My Lord said it. I believe it. Case closed.
What his faith all about?
Material possession does not prove election anymore than faked vote counts
SEll all that you have and give the money to the poor and then come follow me, said the Lord, and you will have riches in heaven.
Blessed are the POOR reads his Sermon on the MOunt in Saint Luke
Anyway what's that cover photo supposed to be? Mr. Jim Beam make him nauseous again? Or does he hang his head in shame for the one million dead for their oil fileds in Iraq? FOr our stolen elections? For the dead of KAtrina? For murdering our US Consitution and Bill of Rights? No, it's gas. Hoping no one notices he cut it. No, looks like he's controlling a leak into his Depends.