![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
richardf8Spam is evil, spam is bad, SPAM is tasty with honey-dijon sauce, and sometimes, spam is very eye-opening.
This spam that I received today is an advert for an inspirational video about George W. Bush, Man of Faith. They pitch W.'s reliance on religion, which I regard as one of the most troubling aspects of his presidency, as a trait to be emulated, and offer him up as a model of faith. This points to an alarming trend in American Politics toward returning to puritan-style theocracy and discarding such artifacts of the enlightenment as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
We would do well to remember: Afghanistan was a largely secular society prior to the rise of the Taliban and its implementation of Sharia law. Likewise, Iran was a very secular society prior to the 1979 revolution. We must not make the mistake of imagining that that kind of extremism is the exclusive province of Islam. All faiths are capable of engendering a dangerous provincialism if unchecked by a secular society. We must take note of the erosion of those checks in our own society, and oppose it at every turn if we do not wish to go that way ourselves.
This spam that I received today is an advert for an inspirational video about George W. Bush, Man of Faith. They pitch W.'s reliance on religion, which I regard as one of the most troubling aspects of his presidency, as a trait to be emulated, and offer him up as a model of faith. This points to an alarming trend in American Politics toward returning to puritan-style theocracy and discarding such artifacts of the enlightenment as the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
From kevinara@boardermail.com Tue Oct 19 13:01:47 2004
Date: Sun, 13 Apr 2003 16:15:55 -0700
From: Glenna <kevinara@boardermail.com>
To: 'Richardf' <xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxx.xxx>
Subject: will this help you?
Not since the days of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln has a president put so much stock in his Christian faith and prayer life for making decisions and leading the United States in its hour of crisis. According to BBC correspondent Justin Webb: "Nobody spends more time on his knees than George W. Bush. The Bush administration hums to the sound of prayer. Prayer meetings take place day and night. It's not uncommon to see White House functionaries hurrying down corridors carrying Bibles."
www.FaithofGeorgeWBush.com
This program will examine the extraordinary faith and prayer life of President George W. Bush, and how it impacts his personal life and his decisions as the leader of the free world. See how his faith has been unshakable in dealing with the 9/11 terrorist attack, fighting al-Qaeda, ridding Iraq of the Saddam Hussein regime, rooting out terrorists in Afghanistan, and how his religious beliefs bring personal peace and clarity in a time of terrorism and chaos across the world.
www.FaithofGeorgeWBush.com
According to Newsweek magazine, "... this presidency is the most resolutely faith-based in modern times - an enterprise founded, supported and guided by trust in the temporal and spiritual power of God." This special also explores President Bush's boldness in witnessing and proclaiming his faith to world leaders, and examines his Christian appointees and the Presidential Prayer Team that uplifts him in intercessory prayer.
www.FaithofGeorgeWBush.com
Learn about George W. Bush's faith journey from the barroom to the Oval office. See how the power of faith can change a life, build a family and shape the destiny of a nation. His faith will inspire you! DVD or VHS FORMAT 70 Minutes. (DVD has additional features)
Normal retail is $14.95 ... RFC SPECIAL JUST $12.95.
ORDER TWO COPIES AND SHIPPING IS FREE!
ORDER ON THE INERNET AT: www.FaithofGeorgeWBush.com
NOTE: If you are not on our normal list this may have been forwarded to you by a friend. To read one of our weekly inside Washington legislative updates go to www.rfcnet.org. Thank you!
Authorized and paid for by Religious Freedom Coalition, P.O. Box 77511 , Washington , DC 20013
Please address all comments and questions to BushVideo@rfcnet.org
We would do well to remember: Afghanistan was a largely secular society prior to the rise of the Taliban and its implementation of Sharia law. Likewise, Iran was a very secular society prior to the 1979 revolution. We must not make the mistake of imagining that that kind of extremism is the exclusive province of Islam. All faiths are capable of engendering a dangerous provincialism if unchecked by a secular society. We must take note of the erosion of those checks in our own society, and oppose it at every turn if we do not wish to go that way ourselves.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-10-19 08:03 pm (UTC)Uh...you know...I'm *almost* tempted to get that just to see how bad it is. What's scarier is that people are buying it and saying, "Finally, a man who love the lord as much as we do and will strike down the heathens."
no subject
Date: 2004-10-19 09:37 pm (UTC)I heard about some site that called Dubya the best U.S. president in history. At first I didn't see how even the ultimate idiologue (my choice of spelling) could believe such a thing, but now I see two ways: (1) they believe everything the President says and thus see no mistakes other than his appointment of certain justices, or (2) they consider it a high priority to reunite Protestant church and state, even at the expense of a fundamental U.S. historic policy. (While I did not see this site, I did read a most excellent Dubya "resume" submitted in response, which I thought read like the accusations against George III in the Declaration of Independence. I also heard that among the site's defenses was, "Well, he won the election, so someone must've wanted him President.")
Side note to LocaKitty: nice. Wow, that "Crossfire" interview really has gotten a lot of attention. I wonder how long people will understand your icon.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-19 09:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-19 09:55 pm (UTC)It doesn't. But I've had the same e-mail address for about 10 years, so all kinds of things find me.
Your point #2, "reunite Protestant church and state" makes an important distinction. I hope that other Catholics who are being urged to support Bush by the church note this as well. If the Catholic Church believes that it can help these folks turn the US into a faith-community without ultimately being called "Babylon" and spurned once power is consolidated in evangelical hands, it is in for a rude awakening I think.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-20 12:11 am (UTC)Fundamentalist Christian theocracy, here we come!
no subject
Date: 2004-10-20 02:10 am (UTC)Certainly other Catholics will note the distinction; what remains to be seen is whether enough of them will. I have plenty of faith in my denomination, but faith in the masses who subscribe to it is another matter.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-20 02:58 am (UTC)I shall stay strong...I actually just forgot about it until I saw your response...hehehehe
no subject
Date: 2004-10-20 03:05 am (UTC)Here's a better icon for your perusal and enjoyment.
no subject
Date: 2004-10-20 03:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-21 07:14 pm (UTC)"The Bible is not my book, nor Christianity my religion."
no subject
Date: 2004-10-22 10:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-10-22 06:49 pm (UTC)Pardon...
Date: 2004-10-23 06:37 am (UTC)While I was very young and not even conducting any sort of intense study there, my impression of it was a very modern country, clean and friendly, and not critical of outsiders (as we were, being tourists there).