Schroeder: Bush's faith raised suspicion

Ron Burgundy · 10-21-2006, 07:30 PM

AP - Ex-Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, whose second term was marked by vehement opposition to the war in Iraq, described in an advance copy of his memoirs how he was suspicious of President Bush's constant references to his Christian faith.

In an excerpt of his book, "Decisions: My Life in Politics" published in the German weekly Der Spiegel Saturday, Schroeder discusses the key political choices that marked his seven-year term in office, including the decision to call early elections and his split with Bush over the Iraq war.

"I am anything but anti-American," Schroeder told Spiegel in an interview to accompany the excerpt of the more than 500-page book that goes on sale Thursday.

In it Schroeder, who led the Social Democrats to power in 1998, recalls the tears in his eyes as he watched television footage of people jumping from the burning World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

He knew Germany would have to react.

"It was important to me that Germany fulfill its requirements as an ally" of the U.S., he wrote. "It was also fully clear to me that this could also mean the German army's participation in an American military mission."

Several months later, during Bush's 2002 visit to Berlin, Schroeder wrote he was surprised at what he described as Bush's "exceptionally mild" speech to the German parliament.

While meetings with Bush at that time were friendly, Schroeder said he could not reconcile himself with the feeling that religion was the driving force behind many of Bush's political decisions.

"What bothered me, and in a certain way made me suspicious despite the relaxed atmosphere, was again and again in our discussions how much this president described himself as 'God-fearing,'" Schroeder wrote, adding he is a firm believer in the separation of church and state.

Schroeder accused some elements in U.S. as being hypocritical when it comes to secularism in government.

"We rightly criticize that in most Islamic states, the role of religion for society and the character of the rule of law are not clearly separated," Schroeder wrote. "But we fail to recognize that in the USA, the Christian fundamentalists and their interpretation of the Bible have similar tendencies."

___

Associated Press Writer Claus-Peter Tiemann contributed to this report from Hamburg, Germany.

IminWonderland · 10-22-2006, 05:21 AM

Wow, I feel like I just agree'd with someone who is pretty important and quite smart.

I am saying to myself...

"NO WAY! I thought that TOO!"

thatguyoverthere · 10-22-2006, 11:52 AM

What I don't get is, how God-fearing can Bush really be? He supports the death penalty, he supports the concept of war... what part of "Thou shalt not kill" does he not understand?

Who Would Jesus Bomb?

KatKanPlay · 10-22-2006, 09:07 PM

Me thinks he boasts to much.

Kytro · 10-23-2006, 04:02 AM

Originally Posted by thatguyoverthere

What I don't get is, how God-fearing can Bush really be? He supports the death penalty, he supports the concept of war... what part of "Thou shalt not kill" does he not understand?

Who Would Jesus Bomb?

Religion can be interpreted in many ways (eg: That shalt not kill = murder, so you can kill, if the state says you can).

Religion + politics is a bad mix and causes far too many problems.

IminWonderland · 10-23-2006, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by thatguyoverthere

What I don't get is, how God-fearing can Bush really be? He supports the death penalty, he supports the concept of war... what part of "Thou shalt not kill" does he not understand?

Who Would Jesus Bomb?

Reminds me of the Christian who was on Bill Maher this week, and he was saying that people should give their money to the poor instead of for campaigns for the politicians because Republicans sold alot of Christians on how they make decisions cased on faith, and if they did, then poverty would have been on their list.

6SpeedTA95 · 10-23-2006, 09:53 AM

I hate the fact that people are criticizing the man for his religious beliefs. Makes no sense, its the USA he has a right to worship in any way he pleases so long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

lew · 10-23-2006, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

Reminds me of the Christian who was on Bill Maher this week, and he was saying that people should give their money to the poor instead of for campaigns for the politicians because Republicans sold alot of Christians on how they make decisions cased on faith, and if they did, then poverty would have been on their list.

I saw that guy too, and while not agreeing with everything he said, I liked him and thought he was right on for most of the stuff.

Scrum · 10-23-2006, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

Reminds me of the Christian who was on Bill Maher this week, and he was saying that people should give their money to the poor instead of for campaigns for the politicians because Republicans sold alot of Christians on how they make decisions cased on faith, and if they did, then poverty would have been on their list.

I got his book this weekend.

avsp · 10-23-2006, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I hate the fact that people are criticizing the man for his religious beliefs. Makes no sense, its the USA he has a right to worship in any way he pleases so long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

I think you miss the point.
No one is dening his rights.

Originally Posted by Scrumtralecent

I got his book this weekend.

What is his name?

Scrum · 10-23-2006, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by avsp

What is his name?

Amazon.com: Tempting Faith: An Inside Story of Political Seduction: Books: David Kuo

David Kuo

avsp · 10-23-2006, 10:58 AM

cheers

Diesel66 · 10-23-2006, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by thatguyoverthere

What I don't get is, how God-fearing can Bush really be? He supports the death penalty, he supports the concept of war... what part of "Thou shalt not kill" does he not understand?

Who Would Jesus Bomb?

Ever read the Bible ? God allows war. God allows executions.

Originally Posted by Kytro

Religion can be interpreted in many ways (eg: That shalt not kill = murder, so you can kill, if the state says you can).

Religion + politics is a bad mix and causes far too many problems.

It isnt religion that is being interpreted in that case, it is using the actual Jewish words instead of the bad translation done by the King James Version

Donkey® · 10-23-2006, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I hate the fact that people are criticizing the man for his religious beliefs. Makes no sense, its the USA he has a right to worship in any way he pleases so long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

He can pray to whatever God he wants but his religion can not dictate the path he takes this country on. Period.

WickedLou9 · 10-23-2006, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Diesel66

Ever read the Bible ? God allows war. God allows executions.

It isnt religion that is being interpreted in that case, it is using the actual Jewish words instead of the bad translation done by the King James Version

In the old testament perhaps. But people who follow the teachings of christ wouldn't agree in most cases. War? maybe in some cases. Executions? never.

Diesel66 · 10-23-2006, 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

He can pray to whatever God he wants but his religion can not dictate the path he takes this country on. Period.

So he cant push ideas that he feels are good directions for the country ? Better go tell the libs that too.

IminWonderland · 10-23-2006, 02:10 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I hate the fact that people are criticizing the man for his religious beliefs. Makes no sense, its the USA he has a right to worship in any way he pleases so long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

I heard someone say once...

When you talk to God, that's called religion.

When God talks to you, seek Mental Health.

lew · 10-23-2006, 03:06 PM

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

In the old testament perhaps. But people who follow the teachings of christ wouldn't agree in most cases. War? maybe in some cases. Executions? never.

Then you haven't read the New Testament.

WickedLou9 · 10-23-2006, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by lew

Then you haven't read the New Testament.

I guess it depends on your interpritation. The catholic church is staunchly against the death penalty.

Kytro · 10-23-2006, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

I hate the fact that people are criticizing the man for his religious beliefs. Makes no sense, its the USA he has a right to worship in any way he pleases so long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others.

What if he believed the we we all created by aliens, or the flying spaghetti monster?

Sure you can believe whatever you like but that does not make you immune from people attacking you for having those beliefs, and it is a legitimate concern when you have a great deal of power that those beliefs may be given inappropriate force.