John Whitehead's Commentary
Mr. President, What Would Jesus Do?
Throughout his presidency, George W. Bush has been hailed as a man of great Christian faith by evangelists and right-wing political activists alike.
And while President Bush rarely speaks about his faith in Jesus Christ publicly, he did remark to the Washington Times in a Jan. 12, 2005, article that he doesn't "see how you can be president without a relationship with the Lord." Bush also shared that he leans heavily on his religion every day that he is in the Oval Office and cannot imagine any man handling the pressures of the job without leaning on God.
Yet in the midst of all of this Godspeak, can the president's actions really be reconciled with the Bible? For example, in the book of Matthew, Christ proclaims that true Christians are recognized "by their fruit." In other words, while someone might talk the talk of the religious believer, it is through their actions that their faith will be evident. So what "fruit" does George W. Bush have to show for his faith?
The Religious Right hails Bush as a Christian, almost a Savior, because he supposedly fights for their agenda through his faith-based initiatives--with some of the allocated money for social programs finding its way to people such as millionaire televangelist Pat Robertson--as well as his championing of moral opposition to abortion and homosexual marriage.
Yet as writer Matt Hutaff recently pointed out in an essay for thesimon.com, "It's interesting to listen to the President devote a speech to his faith, particularly when it intersects with federal policy. I don't question that Bush believes his particular brand of Christianity. I do question, however, his commitment to behaving as Christ himself would."
How did Christ behave? He lived simply, even meagerly. He was a poor man, an itinerant preacher who preached against the wealthy. "If you want to be perfect," He said, "go, sell your possessions and give to the poor." As such, Christ showed compassion to other human beings, especially the poor and needy. A man of peace, Christ preached love and forgiveness.
In contrast, President Bush, born a rich man, has never wanted for any material thing in his life. And now he lives lavishly in the White House, surrounded by the kind of luxury that most Americans could never experience in their lifetime. His inauguration was more like the coronation of a king, costing a whopping $60 million. Just imagine how many poor children that money could have fed.
And President Bush's recent budget recommendations--a possible indicator of what he values--reflect a scaling back on funds and programs for the needy, such as veterans, healthcare and lower-income individuals. At the same time, the president's budget recommendations include dramatic increases in spending on weapons--as his administration continues its various wars, such as in Afghanistan and in Iraq, with a possible war with Iran. Far from being seen as a man of peace, Bush is seen by much of the world as someone to fear.
It could be said that George Bush is no different from most politicians and wealthy individuals--and my comments are certainly not intended to be a condemnation of his politics or his pocketbook. But the Bible clearly states that if you hold up a standard, you're judged by it. Bush's handlers and the Christian right have labeled him a Christian. Thus, if he would be known as such, he must live by that standard.
That standard, as described in Chapter 5 of the book of Matthew, is one that cherishes the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, the poor, the pure, the persecuted, the hungry and the sufferers. It stands in sharp contrast to what Jesus had to say about the wealthy: "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."
Moving into his second term of office, President Bush is now looking toward the kind of legacy he will leave behind. He has before him an opportunity to move beyond the empty rhetoric that is, unfortunately, such a large part of our political system and truly act on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
As Christ said in Matthew 25, when instructing his followers to minister to the poor and needy, the sick and the destitute: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" and "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
It is time, Mr. President, that you do "for the least of these."
And while President Bush rarely speaks about his faith in Jesus Christ publicly, he did remark to the Washington Times in a Jan. 12, 2005, article that he doesn't "see how you can be president without a relationship with the Lord." Bush also shared that he leans heavily on his religion every day that he is in the Oval Office and cannot imagine any man handling the pressures of the job without leaning on God.
Yet in the midst of all of this Godspeak, can the president's actions really be reconciled with the Bible? For example, in the book of Matthew, Christ proclaims that true Christians are recognized "by their fruit." In other words, while someone might talk the talk of the religious believer, it is through their actions that their faith will be evident. So what "fruit" does George W. Bush have to show for his faith?
The Religious Right hails Bush as a Christian, almost a Savior, because he supposedly fights for their agenda through his faith-based initiatives--with some of the allocated money for social programs finding its way to people such as millionaire televangelist Pat Robertson--as well as his championing of moral opposition to abortion and homosexual marriage.
Yet as writer Matt Hutaff recently pointed out in an essay for thesimon.com, "It's interesting to listen to the President devote a speech to his faith, particularly when it intersects with federal policy. I don't question that Bush believes his particular brand of Christianity. I do question, however, his commitment to behaving as Christ himself would."
How did Christ behave? He lived simply, even meagerly. He was a poor man, an itinerant preacher who preached against the wealthy. "If you want to be perfect," He said, "go, sell your possessions and give to the poor." As such, Christ showed compassion to other human beings, especially the poor and needy. A man of peace, Christ preached love and forgiveness.
In contrast, President Bush, born a rich man, has never wanted for any material thing in his life. And now he lives lavishly in the White House, surrounded by the kind of luxury that most Americans could never experience in their lifetime. His inauguration was more like the coronation of a king, costing a whopping $60 million. Just imagine how many poor children that money could have fed.
And President Bush's recent budget recommendations--a possible indicator of what he values--reflect a scaling back on funds and programs for the needy, such as veterans, healthcare and lower-income individuals. At the same time, the president's budget recommendations include dramatic increases in spending on weapons--as his administration continues its various wars, such as in Afghanistan and in Iraq, with a possible war with Iran. Far from being seen as a man of peace, Bush is seen by much of the world as someone to fear.
It could be said that George Bush is no different from most politicians and wealthy individuals--and my comments are certainly not intended to be a condemnation of his politics or his pocketbook. But the Bible clearly states that if you hold up a standard, you're judged by it. Bush's handlers and the Christian right have labeled him a Christian. Thus, if he would be known as such, he must live by that standard.
That standard, as described in Chapter 5 of the book of Matthew, is one that cherishes the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers, the poor, the pure, the persecuted, the hungry and the sufferers. It stands in sharp contrast to what Jesus had to say about the wealthy: "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven."
Moving into his second term of office, President Bush is now looking toward the kind of legacy he will leave behind. He has before him an opportunity to move beyond the empty rhetoric that is, unfortunately, such a large part of our political system and truly act on the teachings of Jesus Christ.
As Christ said in Matthew 25, when instructing his followers to minister to the poor and needy, the sick and the destitute: "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" and "Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me."
It is time, Mr. President, that you do "for the least of these."
ABOUT JOHN W. WHITEHEAD
Constitutional attorney and author John W. Whitehead is founder and president of The Rutherford Institute. His most recent books are the best-selling Battlefield America: The War on the American People, the award-winning A Government of Wolves: The Emerging American Police State, and a debut dystopian fiction novel, The Erik Blair Diaries. Whitehead can be contacted at staff@rutherford.org. Nisha Whitehead is the Executive Director of The Rutherford Institute. Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at www.rutherford.org.
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