Do We All Worship the Same God?

President Bush thinks we all worship the same god.

The President has said this on more than one occasion.

"Well, first of all, I believe in an almighty God, and I believe that all the world, whether they be Muslim, Christian, or any other religion, prays to the same God. That's what I believe. I believe that Islam is a great religion that preaches peace." (Online Source)

"I have spoken clearly about my belief that -- I pray to the same God as a Muslim prays; that the freedom agenda is really aimed at liberating people, and that the hope is, is that there will be an active, real Palestinian state, so people can realize their dreams." (Online Source)

"And the best way to achieve better understanding in the world is for folks just to get together, and get to understand that we share the same God, and we share the same aspirations for children and for our futures." (Online Source)

Comments

[Derek]

No surprise since he has performed Shinto worship during a state visit to Japan.

http://www.cephasministry.com/nwo_bush_goes_to_shinto_worship.html

The White House has also hosted Hindu "Festival of Lights" in the past.

http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2006/October/200610191710181EJrehsiF0.697929.html

[Steve R]

Well now, how many of you would vote for this man now? (Yes, I know his tenure is coming to an end, but that's not the point.)

After reading these statements I can only assume three things:
1. Bush is a liar
and/or
2. Bush is a pantheist
and/or
3. Bush is mentally unhinged.

Whatever the reason, Bush CANNOT be a Christian if he makes statements like that.

[Shma]

Those who deny me (Jesus) before men I will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Either Jesus is Lord of all or he's not. I can't say what Bush believes but from his own mouth is sure doesn't sound like he's a Christian.

Steve R - you did a great job in your post!

[CIB]

Remember - He's getting ready to go back to Texas soon. Texas is home of Lakewood. Lakewood's pastor is Joel Osteen.

Need I say More?

[carol Y]

I don't agree with President Bush on this but look what's coming up this year. From what I've heard, Barak Hussein Obama was sworn in the senate with the Qu'ran although he claims to go to the Church of Christ and Hillary supports abortion and gay rights (at least today she does.)That's what we should be concerned about now because I believe one of them (unfortunately) will be sitting in the White House next year at this time.

[Yemi]

It's sad. I still remember my previous church, the assistant pastor assured us that Bush was reading his bible daily. I hope someone will inform him that those claims aren't compatible with the the scriptures. Christians should beware of politicians who speak "christianese" language during the campaign.

[CIB]

I wonder how Huckabee would have answered that.

[Final Trumpet]

And an interesting article that just came out that goes right along with this...

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/book_extracts/article3255937.ece

[Logan]

This man has done extreme damage to the Christian church in America. If he simply followed the Constitution instead of power-grabbing and using the Christians to get elected....sigh

The reality is that when he said that his greatest philosopher was Jesus Christ because he changed my heart, he won both OUR hearts and OUR votes. (The heart is deceitfully wicked Mr. Bush, who can know it) The GOP lost every single voting bloc in the 2000 and 2004 elections EXCEPT the Evangelical base. Didn't we all believe GW would be a good Christian? Everyone was excited to destroy the evil godless liberals and in the end, this "Christian" president does more to undermine Christianity than any liberal would've done.

Pretty ironic.

I just sent in my ballot and I voted for Ron Paul because he won't make Christians look like total morons for supporting him and he won't draft me into undeclared and unjust wars. He talks the talk and walks the walk and simply follows the rule of Law with 30 years of consistency and integrity. He doesn't say Jesus all the time like Huckabee, but Paul's faith is well-reflected in his integrity and honesty.

All political talk aside, our only hope is a God-sent revival. Period. Ravenhill taught me that one. He speaks of politics frequently in his sermons, explaining the corruption of man and the need for us to repent and get right with God. We need hearts of flesh not hearts of stone.

"They got a whole bunch of rascals out and they got a whole bunch of new rascals in." (Ravenhill, when speaking of Ronald Reagan taking office and Republicans being the majority)

In the end, we are not facing politicians in the ring but ourselves. How much are we willing to give up for God? When will we say, Enough is enough, we must pray. Probably when Hillary or Obama outlaw gospel tracts or street preaching. Then again, I don't foresee McClaren, Bell, Osteen, or Warren complaining about that. Those methods aren't relevant anymore...anyway... ;)

BTW: Barack Obama is not a muslim. That is a slanderous story. He's actually a unitarian which is just as false as the Muslim religion, basically the Bible is only ONE of the good books. (Which include anything from Islam to Mormonism)

[Josh]

Just to reclarify some of the statements made about Barack Obama here:

He is not a Muslim and was not sworn in with the Qur'an. The confusion has come because another Senator, Keith Ellison of Minnesota, is a Muslim and was sworn in using the Koran in 2007. Obama was sworn in using the Bible. Press reports from Obama's swearing-in ceremony in January 2005 mention specifically that Obama took the oath of office by placing his hand on his own copy of the Bible.

He is a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, which is part of the United Church of Christ denomination. While the UCC is a very liberal denomination, it is not Unitarian. The UCC is a mainline protestant denomination that was born out of the Congregational denomination. A cursory look at the UCC website shows that the denomination:

- Acknowledges that Jesus is Christ, God's son, and Savior
- Confesses and affirms the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed
- Recognizes the sacraments of Baptism and Communion

This is not to say where Obama's heart is in all of this, but he's certainly not a practicing Muslim.

Either way, I think choosing a president solely on the basis of whether or not they say they are a Christian is dangerous. It would be more prudent, I think, to consider what God is concerned with (the important things he affirms through scripture) and to vote for candidates whose actions and positions most reflect God's heart.

[Glen]

I have been and continue to be a Bush supporter---politically speaking. I respect the man and his leadership of our country. That being said, he is certainly off-base with this statement. I wonder sometimes if politicians make these ridiculous statements to appeal to a wider audience and not be accused of being "bigots" or whatever. Still---it is a stupid and erroneous statement from someone who should know better.

Of course, Clinton, Obama, and probably the Republican hopefulls as well, all believe the SAME thing. Perhaps an exception would be Alan Keyes but they haven't given him the time of day when it comes to the presidential race.

[carol Y]

So--Obama is either a Unitarian or goes to the Church of Christ according to the above posts. I still don't trust him and I certainly don't trust the Clinton syndrome.
I think that choosing a president on the basis that he is Christian is imperative. We're dead meat if we elect a non-Christian president.
Bush happened to have the job of president when 9/11 occured, something of such magnitude that has never happened on American soil, or anywhere else for that matter. How could anyone know how to handle such evil when the evil runs back into the woodwork like roaches? The liberal Democrats immediately took the opportunity and started in on a Bush-bashing campaign. They couldn't stand it when Bush won the election (twice) and they (and their willing accomplices--the media and the Hollywood crowd) made sure he was slammed for everything he did or didn't do. They knew that if they slammed him enough, sheeple would believe it and they didn't disappoint them.
As I said before, I don't agree with what Bush said above and I agree with Glen's post. However, I think the liberal Democrats have destroyed America by their hatred of Bush. They not only shot themselves in the foot but included every American in the process. Now I'm sure I'll be slammed for voicing my opinion.

[Logan]

I apologize about the Obama comment, I wasn't sure if it was the Unitarian church where they believe that ALL "Holy" books deserve to be heard or if it was a mainline denomination, thank you for correcting me on that.

Carol, I'm not going to bash you, but I want to set the facts straight about GW Bush. He doesn't keep his promises. I believed him when he first started out. He has completely and utterly failed to do what he said he was gonna do.

Didn't stop Roe V Wade.
Didn't stop Illegal Immigration.
Didn't bring Osama to justice.
Didn't stop the department of education (one of the biggest bureaucracies of all time, he actually doubled it's size)
Didn't reform social security, medicare, or medicaid. (which I now have to pay into a system in which I will never get my money back)
Has effectively stretched the military to it's breaking point. (There are now waivers for ex-felons to get into the military, there are some amazing reports on how the military is crumbling.)

Did spy on Americans.
Did trample civil rights.
Did go to war unconstitutionally by not actually declaring war and winning it.
Did compromise his "evangelical" faith.
Did equate Christianity with stupidity for a large percentage of the youth in this country.

People are not aware of this, but because Saddam is gone and the infrastructure of Iraq has been completely destroyed. Chrisitans have by and large either been killed or have fled the country into exile. Search google: Iraq Christians

Everyone who voted for Bush should not be blaming the liberals. They should be blaming themselves. I supported him because I was naive enough to think that it was red state versus blue state and I was dead wrong. It's not liberals against conservatives. They're becoming the exact same party. Look at Giuliani. It's following the rule of law in this country (the Constitution) and NOT following the rule of law. The corruption under this president has been unheard of, next to Bill Clinton of course.

I just sent my ballot in here in the early Arizona primary and I voted for Ron Paul.

I don't trust any of the other candidates to keep their word. Thou shalt not lie or let your yea be yea and nay be nay. Ron Paul is the only who has kept his word and been honest for all of his political life.

"And that's about all I have to say about that..."
Forrest Gump

[Shannon]

W has also contributed to the murder of our Constitutional rights via the Patriot something-or-other, if I remember correctly, is pushing our country into the North American Union, has our government NOT getting out illegals - AT ALL - EVEN when they know where they are, where they work, that the social security number they are using is fake - nothing matters, they stay and are REWARDED for it - free health care, MONEY FOR HOUSING (in VA) - it is ABSURD ! ! ! ! ! !

I've been a staunch Conservative Republican for quite a while.

I've just awakened to find that my party is not much better than the people I've viewed (for the most part) as downright evil for the past 15 years.

I like Ron Paul on a lot of issues, but I don't like his stand on Israel ( I DO agree we need to but out so they can better defend themselves ), and I don't think he will get enough votes to win.

Huckabee is shady.

I respect McCain for his service.

Has an Italian ever been elected President?

I don't know enough about any of the lesser evils running.

I dread election day, and its outcome.

"I gotta pee..."
Forrest Gump

:oD

Somehow, "Ladies and Gentleman, the President of the United States of America, Barack Hussein Obama!" juuuuuuust doesn't sound quite right to me.

[D. Stanfield]

There are only two options that a Christian can have for this year's Presidential election. As Christians we may not align ourselves with evil.

You have Ron Paul or Mike Huckabee. After examining the records of both, only Ron Paul is a man of integrity and honesty. Mike Huckabee is as shady as they come. His voting records don't line up with what he says. He has received endorsements from the NEA and the HSLDA. How do you do that unless you are talking out of both sides of your mouth???? The NEA hates homeschooling.

For some great articles on politics, go to www.covenantnews.com.

Wake up Christians!

For the record, Bush fooled me twice. He is a Universalist and a liar.

[Shannon]

Bush had me fooled too, until about a month ago. I thought he was a well-meaning Christian. Oh well.

Ignorance is indeed bliss.

I thought it was weird that HSLDA sent out emails 6-19-07 endorsing him whole-heartedly. Then I heard about the NEA endorsing him? Guuh?

I don't like him b/c he moves his eyebrows WAY too much when he's talking.

It's like people who blink too much, or bite their bottom lip (Clinton).

Our Country is in serious trouble. I just heard about this Texas Corridor nonsense, and that we have SOLD parts of our land to foreign countries.

Wake up Christians, indeed.

I say "To Arms!"

[Josh]

The only reason the NEA is endorsing Huckabee (on the Republican side) is because he has been the least supporting of the No Child Left Behind Act - he would like the states to set standards for their schools, rather than the government.

Bill Richardson was actually the candidate the NEA most preferred - he wanted to completely scrap NCLB. He's not running anymore, though.

[frank]

Our future doesn't lie in the hands of Republicans or Democrats. It lies in the hands of God. Both parties are corrupt. Render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. The days are pretty much over when we can hope for a "Christian leader." Christians need to stop looking for earthly heroes and simply trust in Christ. Yes we should vote, but sadly, we pretty much have to pick from the lesser of evils.

[Rob M]

Jesus shouldn't be a part of politics. This may be the only thing Bush HAS been right about in 8 years. Everyone worships the same thing, a deity that explains everything that the worshippers can't understand, a deity that can't be proven to exist, and a deity that seems to lead to more war and destruction than it cures.

I wish for the good old days when a politician's ability to make the country a better place was more important than his wrongheaded belief in a literal interpretation of a centuries old historic text.

[Mark]

Until the President said Muslims were going to Heaven, just by another way, I could sort of understand his error -- perhaps Muslims are trying to worship God, but their self-reliant way is always going to come up WAY short...because how does someone who is DEAD in sins even begin to reach out to God?! But among Arminians such as Bush's Methodist denomination, the free will and ability of people to try to reach out to God is a common misconception. And that is putting it way too nicely!

I have friends who are Muslims. I have shared and will continue to share the Gospel with them. I know that what they believe is not a "way to God," even though they think it is. What I am not positive about is whether Paul's description of the Jews in Romans 10, that they "have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" could also be said of Muslims -- do they worship the same God, but not with the knowledge that Christ is the Messiah (they deny that Christ is God, on the basis that there is 1 God, and the failure to believe that God could take on flesh or that He exists in 3 persons). Still, that doesn't make them saved, not in the least. So in a way, it doesn't matter; they, like Jews, Mormons, Osteenites, JWs and others who claim to believe in God still think THEY have to work to satisfy Him and do not trust in Christ's finish work to save them.

I guess my question really is: do Muslims, like Jews, need to believe a different God than they do, or be led by the Spirit to a FULL knowledge of Him and His Messiah? People who are atheists, and Mormons who believe in a god who used to be a man, and think they have to "hie to Kolob" to begin to see back through the generations of gods ... they obviously have to be introduced to the true God. Or is this all just splitting hairs? They, like we who know Christ, all need the Gospel, whatever one believes or knows presently.

[Eugene Roberts]

I am an South African, so I cannot vote for America's next president. (Come to tink of it I cannot even vote for South Africa's next president, but that is a totally different subject.) But I would like to add a few comments about the ellection of politicians.

There are VERY few honest politicians. The two concepts, honest and politics is almost exclusive, lol. Politicians almost always promise things that they know they won't be able to deliver just to get ellected. That's the political game they play. It is therefor no surprise to me that GW Bush courted the Evangelical Christians of te USA and then betrayed them when in office. It in his nature as politician. It's the way it is done in that game. How terribly unfortunate. So what must a Christian do then? Abstain from voting? Choose the lesser evil? These questions are becoming more and more difficult to answer.

I don't feel I have the answer to voting or not, but the Bible do have some things to say about the government, which I think all of you know, but I'll quote some anyway:

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

1 Timothy 2:1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.
The New King James Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1982.

Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
The New King James Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1982.

1 Peter 2:13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
The New King James Version, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers) 1998, c1982.

I will be praying for all of America to make the right decision att the polls and that God's will be done in the forthcoming ellections.

[Mark S]

I take the position that there is one God. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. There are many gods (little g) that people think are there (if they are, are they demons, I guess?) and which they worship. For many people -- all of us by fallen nature, if we really think about it -- the god (again, little g) closest at hand and mind is self.

So I struggle somewhat with wondering whether Muslims (who are monotheistic) have, as Paul wrote of the Jews in Rom 10:2, a zeal for God but not according to knowledge ... if they are deceived about the One True God, or if their Allah is a false god of their own conception, altogether. Yes, either way, they are lost and dead in their sin; I'm not questioning that at all. And it doesn't really do one much good to simply believe in God, as the demons believe in Him and they shudder! So it kind of comes down to a matter of semantics -- do they believe falsely in the True God, or do they believe falsely in a false god? Either way, they need the Gospel, just as we did (and still do) who believe in Christ!

I definitely wouldn't go so far as what Pres. Bush said, but I see in a sense why he said what he did.

[TheHellbinder]

Logan, Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? Or do you jsut sit around reading radical leftist blogs all day.

who are you trying to fool here?

Bush is not a Biblical christian but half the stuff you posted about him is absolute liberal garbage. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Have fun supporting the mini Anti-Christ.

Shameful!

[Marie]

Underlying this question is the notion that there more than one God. If you believe that there is only one God, then why are you pitting Allah against God? Allah merely means God in Arabic. People who speak Arabic use the word "God" when they speak English. God comes from the word "Good." No God is not God's name. & Jesus's last name isn't Christ. Basics, people, basics.

There are as many forms of worshipping God as there are people. Get over it. For Heaven's sake, why are you picking on George W. Bush? One of your own? Have some humility. Beg for forgiveness for claiming you know what only an all-powerful Creator can know.