Bush denies Biblical literalism; espouses syncretism & evolution compatibility

[WilyWestbrook0]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...-F7GAD94V08601

This is a huge dent not only in many religious conservatives' argument that Bush believed all of what they did, but also many Atheists' contention that Bush was the ultimate representation of anti-evolution Christian fundamentalism.

"The president also said that he prays to the same God as those with different religious beliefs."

Syncretists, religious universalists, and many Christian liberals believe we all are trying to reach the same spiritual source regardless of religious affiliation. Fundamentalist conservative Christians, by contrast, believe there is only one way and one source with other religions being incompatible, which is clearly different from what Bush is saying here.

"I think the creation of the world is so mysterious it requires something as large as an almighty and I don't think it's incompatible with the scientific proof that there is evolution."

Also differing from fundamentalist conservative belief, Bush says evolution is compatible with theistic belief and says evolution is backed in scientific proof.

"No, I'm not a literalist, but I think you can learn a lot from it"

Another central tenet to fundamentalist conservative Christianity is assertion that the Bible is to be interpreted literally. Bush disavows this as well.

Are you surprised? I'm not, but I think many fundamentalist Christians and Atheists will be very surprised.

[ensbergcollector]

just another politician who has lied about his beliefs until he no longer needs public support. He has played the good baptist for years.

[WilyWestbrook0]

I agree..he said stuff earlier to appeal to the conservative demographic for election purposes, but his true beliefs are more typical of the MOR variety. I think we can tell even by some of his political beliefs (support for the bailouts, for instance) that he isn't as classically conservative as the media paints him to be.

In fact, the Republican party as a whole is barely distinguishable from Democrats these days. Both essentially support economic "capitocialism" (a blend of capitalism and socialism); among organized parties, only the Libertarians are still consistent and distinguishable..they have a very defined conservative economic/financial approach and liberal social approach (such as Bob Barr, who actually opposed the bailout that Bush, Obama, and McCain all support). The Republicans will continue to give lip service to conservatives, but act very similar to the Democrats, who they pretend are miles apart in ideology from them.

[gatorboymike]

This is a huge dent not only in many religious conservatives' argument that Bush believed all of what they did, but also many Atheists' contention that Bush was the ultimate representation of anti-evolution Christian fundamentalism.

...

Are you surprised? I'm not, but I think many fundamentalist Christians and Atheists will be very surprised.

No.

Bush is a politician, in other words an intellectual prostitute, slinging anything that any customer wants. Now he doesn't have to worry about that anymore, and he can admit it. But the fact that he pandered to anti-evolution Christian fundamentalists makes him just as bad as they are.

[WilyWestbrook0]

At least not everyone is surprised.

At AOL, though, there is a pathetic but hilarious mudfest where some conservative Christians are saying the media is distorting Bush's position, while some Atheists are still mad because Bush is saying he's still supporting religion in some form. Apparently, it's impossible to please either of these kinds unless every last tidbit conforms to their beliefs. The old adage: "Try to please everyone, and you will please no one."