Religion has come up time and time again during this year's campaign. Beliefnet has pulled together a compendium of quotations and speeches on the topic by both major candidates. Here, you'll find things that Republican candidate George W. Bush has said about religion, organized by topic.
Index:
Bush: Well, I treat people with respect. I don't feel like I'm better than anybody else. I feel like I have the ability to lead. I wouldn't be seeking the presidency if I wasn't confident that I could do the job.
Q: So you're not that lowly?
Bush: Each of us have different talents and--yeah, sinner, not lowly sinner. But you know, I respect other people, and that's what's needed in Washington, D.C., right now. This nation needs somebody to heal some wounds and bring people together. It's too bitter and too divided in Washington. And I think I'm the man to do that.
On personal faith/compassionate conservatism:
Bush: A lot. A genuine philosophy reflects the experiences of a person. And in my case, I was raised a Christian, recommitted myself to Christ. Got into the Bible. My life changed in many ways. An outward manifestation is I quit drinking. I was a more dedicated, more focused person. Not to say I wasn't a dedicated person beforehand, but it was a life-changing moment.
I also recognize that a walk is a walk, I mean, it's a never-ending journey. And I've got a lot of imperfections like anybody else. And the more I got into the Bible, the more that admonition "Don't try to take a speck out of your neighbor's eye when you've got a log in your own" becomes more and more true, particularly for those of us in public life. And so my style, my focus, and many of the issues that I talk about, you know, are reinforced by my religion.
You see, if you believe that we're all sinners, as opposed to you're a sinner and I'm not, then I think it helps you, at least for me. It's made me a better governor. It helps bring people together, and that's what is needed on some very practical issues that the country faces. A classic example is Medicare and prescription drugs.
On personal faith/ religion:
Bush: A Bible verse that is important to me is the one that says I shouldn't try to take a speck out of someone else's eye if I have a log in my own. I like that verse because it reminds me that we're all sinners. When you admit you're a sinner, it is recognition that there is a need. And that need, for me, was met through Christ.
You can be a sinner and live under a bridge. Or you can be a sinner and be the governor of Texas. To me it is an understanding that the human condition requires a power greater than self. In 1986 I came to that realization. I had been raised a Christian, but my faith was reconfirmed in a much more powerful, personal way--because I sought, and I found.
Regarding my encounter with Billy Graham: He was a messenger. I can't really think of the words he said, but I know he lit a spark inside me that kindled into a flame over time. Billy Graham planted a seed, and then I went back to Midland [Texas] and got involved in Community Bible Study--which is a very active national program. That's when I began to read the Bible every day. Now I seek God's guidance. But of course, as a politician, I am mindful of the fact that my faith doesn't make me better than anyone else.
How has my faith manifested itself? I am more mindful of the needs of others. I also have a certain confidence about my life. It is not dependent upon material success, or electoral success for that matter. I am going to fight like heck and give this campaign my best shot, and I hope I will be the president. But should it not work out, I understand that there is a force greater than myself--and it gives me great comfort.
Q: How would you describe your faith, your religion?
Bush: Well, that may be obvious. It's not an easy answer. I'll start with the mundane. I'm a Methodist. I'm an active church member. I have been so-I mean, I attend church, I like church, I like-I've heard great preachers, I've heard not-so-great preachers. I love the hymns, I read the Bible daily. I am this year. Generally what I've done is I've got what's called the One-Year Bible, by Tyndale, and I read it every other year all the way through. And in the off years I'll pick and choose different parts of the Bible. I pray on a daily basis. I've got a structure to my life where religion plays a role. I understand religion is a walk, it's a journey. And I fully recognize that I'm a sinner, just like you. That's why Christ died. He died for my sins and your sins.
"I'm mindful of telling people that when asked about my religion that I'm mindful of walking that walk. That's the best thing I can do as president. And when you walk the walk, people of faith will walk right with you."
On favorite political philosopher:
On Christianity:
On being an evangelical:
"I want to repeat to you something I said earlier. It's really important for somebody in my position to live the word, in this case, but also understand that people communicate with God and reach God in different ways. It just doesn't have to be my way. And I think it's really important if you're trying to unite a nation that is diverse as ours is to spend more time living the example I've learned of Christ as opposed to lecturing. And I really mean that. Obviously there's the big issue between the Christian and the Jew, the Jewish person. And I am mindful of the rich traditions and history of the Jewish faith.
"And I am mindful of what Billy Graham one time told me, for me not to try to figure out-try to pick and choose who gets to go to heaven. And when I told you I'm a sinner- you need to take that in the figurative sense. But it is very important for people to not be haughty in their religion. And there's all kinds of admonitions in the Bible; haughtiness, rightfulness is a sin in itself."
On Tolerance:
On sin:
On evil:
Bush: I think the selling of smut and pornography is evil, and hatred is evil. Defacing synagogues is evil. Hate crimes are evil. Most violent crime is hate anyway. But, anyway, yes, unfortunately, that's what happened. And free will-we've been given free will, and oftentimes people make the wrong choices.
On prayer:
Bush: Gosh, that's a very good question. I really don't pray for, you know, "Gosh, I hope I get 48% of the vote in the so-and-so primary." That's not a prayer I offer up.
I have [felt that my prayers were answered]. I have. There's some situations where I've prayed for inner calm, and I felt calm.
Q: Around a particular event?
Bush: Well, for example, big press conferences at times. You'll notice, for example, I will bow my head just quietly just before I walk up to the mike. There are a lot of situations in which I find myself where there is a lot of pressure and, you know, a lot of attention, and those are moments where you just need to be clear thinking and resolute and calm.
"I pray all kinds of places. And I meditate. I mean, prayer is--there's intercessive prayer, there's meditation. I find all kinds of places to pray. I may pray on the airplane. No one even knows it."
On being born again:
Bush: I don't know. I guess because the way I like to put it is, I rededicated my life to Christ. Either way, what matters is my beliefs. To be frank with you, I am not all that comfortable describing my faith, because in the political world, there are a lot of people who say, "Vote for me, I'm more religious than my opponent." And those kind of folks make me a little nervous.
I think what matters is how you live your life, and as I talked at the very top of the interview, I do believe a person's religion will be reflected in frame of mind and attitude and outlook. And, you know, when you're running for president, people are always trying to get a glimpse into your soul and into your true being, and obviously religion is one way to describe who I am. But I don't spend a lot of time saying, "I'm the best candidate because I'm the most religious person."
I'm reminded of the Biblical verse, paraphrased, probably in Texas form, but, "If you got a speck in your eye, I'm not going to try to take a speck out of you when I've got a log in my own." I'm really mindful of that. I truly am. There is a reason why I sought redemption, and it's a reason that I will always keep in front of my mind, and that is that I'm--you know, I'm a lowly sinner, and to me that's the crux of the Christian religion. It's the great promise of Jesus Christ.
Q: Would you say you've had a born- would you call your experience born-again?
Bush: I call it a renewal of faith. But I could say that. I would say that. But you've got to understand, a born-again experience connotes a moment. And I would say my experience was the planting of a seed, where something grew, grew quite rapidly. But I got back to Midland. I remember reading the Bible. The words in the Bible made-you know, the same words-I began to have a better understanding. And so I would call it a renewal, an acceptance of Christ.
Q: What about your personal faith? Would you describe yourself as a born again Christian? How would you describe your faith?
Bush: I would describe myself as a man who was raised a Christian, who sought redemption and found it in Jesus Christ. And that's important [to admit the need for redemption] by the way, for someone running for public office. It's a humbling experience to make that admission. I admit I'm a lowly sinner. It's that admission that led me to redemption and led me to Christ. Without making that admission, I don't think there's such a thing as redemption.
On being touched by faith:
Personal Faith:
On being a "lowly sinner":
Q: And that notion that you're a lowly sinner, how do you think that affects the way you approach government?
Beliefnet.com editor-in-chief Steven Waldman's interview with Bush, October 2000
Q: In what ways did your personal faith affect your notion of what it means to be a compassionate conservative?
Beliefnet.com editor-in-chief Steven Waldman's interview with Bush, October 2000
Q: How would you describe the change that occurred in your life as a result of your conversion experience?
From "God and the Governor," Charisma Magazine interview, August 29, 2000
From US News Online, "George W. Bush: Running on His Faith"
Interview with the Baptist Press, the national news service of the Southern Baptist Convention, August 31, 2000
Asked what "political philosopher" he most admires, Texas Gov. George W. Bush, who is considered the GOP front-runner, replied, "Christ, because he changed my heart....When you turn your heart and your life over to Christ, when you accept Christ as the Savior, it changes your heart and changes your life."
Times - Picayune; New Orleans, La.; Dec 25, 1999
"You know, people search for something good in times of darkness, and our faith provides that. That's a wonderful thing about Christianity. There is spiritual reassurance."
Interview with the Baptist Press, the national news service of the Southern Baptist Convention, August 31, 2000
"I'm not even sure what the characteristics of an evangelical are in common parlance. I think if someone prays- I pray. I do. I believe in the power of prayer. I can't tell you how comforting it is to me to hear people say, "I pray for you." And it happens a lot. It does. And I say, "Thank you." I think an evangelical believes in the power of prayer.
US News Online, "George W. Bush: Running on His Faith"
"I believe in tolerance, not in spite of my faith, but because of it.
I believe in a God who calls us, not to judge our neighbors, but to love them.
"I believe in grace, because I have seen it...In peace, because I have felt it...In forgiveness, because I have needed it.
Acceptance Speech, Philadelphia, August 3, 2000
"I am mindful of that Biblical admonition that if you accept Christ and then stray, the consequences are more severe than ever. Once you've received the Word, the Bible is pretty clear about somebody who strays. Listen, I'm a sinner...I'm a sinner. But that confession, that understanding, not only makes redemption possible, but it makes it easier to walk the walk. And my heart was won by Christ."
Interview with the Baptist Press, the national news service of the Southern Baptist Convention, August 31, 2000
Q: Are there ways in which you think that evil manifests itself other than that?
US News Online, "George W. Bush: Running on His Faith"
Q: Have you ever felt like a specific prayer of yours was answered?
Beliefnet.com editor-in-chief Steven Waldman's interview with Bush, October 2000
US News Online, "George W. Bush: Running on His Faith"
Q: You've spoken of your conversion in the mid-'80s, when you became a born-again Christian, as a profound change of heart. How has that changed your politics?
Bush: First, it changed my outlook on life. Secondly, I take great comfort and peace knowing there is an Almighty God. It helps me understand that there is a higher priority in life, ultimately, than the priorities I may have set before me.
Catholic Digest interview, Aug. 11, 2000
Q: I've noticed in the past when you've talked about your own faith that you've never, yourself, used the term "born again." Other people may have ascribed it to you, but I haven't seen you use that. Why is that?
Beliefnet.com editor-in-chief Steven Waldman's interview with Bush, October 2000
US News Online, "George W. Bush: Running on His Faith"
Interview with the Baptist Press, the national news service of the Southern Baptist Convention, August 31, 2000
"So many of us held our first child, and saw a better self reflected in her eyes.
And in that family love, many have found the sign and symbol of an even greater love, and have been touched by faith."
Acceptance Speech, Philadelphia, August 3, 2000
