2016-07-27
The Bible has become a favorite tool for making political points about everything from economic priorities to America's role in the world. But do Democrats and Republicans choose different verses to deliver their messages? Beliefnet's Political Bible Thumping Guide offers you a comparison of recent speeches from politicians that quote the Good Book. Verses marked with stars have been quoted by both parties.

Bible Verse Quote Theme Party
Exodus 20:12 We believe in the family value expressed in one of the oldest Commandments: "Honor thy father and thy mother."
--John Kerry, Democratic National Convention speech, July 29, 2004
Respect for the elderly Democrat
Job 12:23 "God makes nations great, and destroys them; He enlarges nations, and guides them."
--Max Lucado, Benediction for the Republican National Convention, August 30, 2004
God's guidance for nations Republican
Ecclesiastes 3:3 Scripture tells us there is "a time to break down and a time to build up." This is our time to break down division and build up unity. This is our time to reject the politics of fear.
--John Kerry, AME Convention speech
Unity Democrat
Amos 5:24 Not every reformer in our history has been religious, but many have been motivated by a scriptural vision in which "justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
--George W. Bush, Independence Day address in Philadelphia, July 4, 2001
Faith in action Republican
Psalms 145:18 We continue to pray for the recovery of the wounded and for the comfort of all who have lost a loved one. The Scriptures say: "The Lord is near to all who call on him." Calling on God in prayer brings us nearer to each other.
--George W. Bush, National Day of Prayer speech, May 1, 2003
Comfort from God Republican
Matthew 6:21 My faith teaches me, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
--John Kerry, NAACP convention, July 15, 2004
Faith in action Democrat
Matthew 7:3 I get great sustenance from my personal relationship [with God]. That doesn't make me think I'm a better person than you are, by the way. Because one of the great admonitions in the Good Book is, don't try to take a speck out of your eye if I've got a log in my own.
--George W. Bush, Interview with Radio and Television Ireland, June 24, 2004
Avoiding hypocrisy Republican
Matthew 22: 37-40 ...being an American Catholic at this particular moment in history has three particular implications for my own point of view as a candidate for presidency. The first two follow directly from the two great commandments set forth in the Scriptures: our obligations to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
--John Kerry, Excerpted from "A Call to Service", published in October of 2003
Love for God, love for your neighbor Democrat
*Matthew 25:37-40 You know near as I can tell from reading the scriptures, Jesus only got mad two or three times. One time was when he was talking to the money changers in the temple. And then he got kind of testy when he said "Even as you have done unto the least of these you have done to me." [Matthew 25:40] And someone said, "But master when did we ever see you hungry and not feed you, lonely and not house you, imprisoned and not visit you?" [Matthew 25:37] And he said, "Even as you had not done to the least of these, you have not done it to me."
--Bill Clinton, Riverside Church sermon, August 29, 2004
Concern for the least among us Democrat
*Matthew 25:40; Faith teaches us that God has a special concern for the poor, and that faith proves itself through actions and sacrifice, through acts of kindness and caring for those in need. For some people, Jesus' admonition to care "for the least of these" is an admirable moral teaching. For many Baptists, it is a way of life.
--George W. Bush, Southern Baptist Convention, July 11, 2002
Concern for the least among us Republican
1 Corinthians 13:1 The most important political verses in the scripture are the next to last and the verse before that of First Corinthians. "But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."
--Bill Clinton, Riverside Church sermon, August 29, 2004
Love for your neighbor Democrat
*James 2:14-17 Scripture teaches us: "It is not enough, my brother, to say you have faith, when there are no deeds… Faith without works is dead."
--John Kerry, NAACP convention, July 15, 2004
Faith in action Democrat
*James 2:17 In the Book of James, we are reminded that faith without works is dead. By loving a neighbor as you'd like to be loved yourself, you prove every day that faith is alive. By your work and prayers, you have formed your own army, an army of compassion. And by living your faith, you bring hope to those who need it most.
--George W. Bush, Hispanic Prayer Breakfast speech, May 15, 2003
Faith in action Republican


Key: Republican = Republican     Democrat = Democrat
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