c. 2004 Religion News Service
(UNDATED) In the last presidential race, then-Texas Gov. George W. Bush was hailed and ridiculed for declaring in a debate that “Christ” was his favorite philosopher “because he changed my life.”
As the next election looms, several books and documentaries have gone beyond singularly memorable quotes by the 43rd U.S. president to a more in-depth look at how his faith has influenced his life and his work in the White House.
The most recent projects, from the perspectives of a scholar, a journalist and a production company, highlight Bush’s mid-life spiritual renewal, his religious tolerance and how his faith affects how he relates to individuals and determines policy.
“I think this is a topic that interests many Americans because this president is probably one of the more outspoken Christian faith proponents in recent presidential history,” said David Aikman, author of “A Man of Faith: The Spiritual Journey of George W. Bush” (W Publishing Group), which was published in April.
Aikman’s book argues that Bush’s faith “doesn’t seem to be something he takes off when he leaves the Oval Office to return to the private quarters of the White House.” It looks at how Bush, a former Presbyterian Sunday school teacher who adopted his wife’s United Methodist faith, was influenced by preacher Billy Graham as well as a cross-carrying evangelist named Arthur Blessitt and meetings of the Community Bible Study in Midland, Texas.
Paul Kengor, author of “God and George W. Bush” (Regan Books) that was released in mid-August, argues that this president is “average” when comparing his religious speech with that of some of his Democratic predecessors.
His book’s research includes a comparison that reveals that President Bill Clinton referred to Christ in 41 separate statements, compared to Bush’s references in 14 speeches through 2003.
“I’m trying to tell people don’t have a double standard,” Kengor, a political historian, said in an interview. “Don’t hold a double standard on Bush because Clinton not only did it as well, Clinton did it much more.”
Aikman and Kengor’s volumes follow the publication last fall of Stephen Mansfield’s “The Faith of George W. Bush” (Charisma House/Penguin Group). In the spring, “Frontline,” a PBS program, aired the documentary “The Jesus Factor,” which linked President Bush’s faith and the influence of evangelical Christians. Now added to the mix is a new docudrama, “George W. Bush: Faith in the White House,” which Grizzly Adams Productions bills as “an alternative program to `Fahrenheit 9/11.”’
The Grizzly Adams DVD was released to Christian stores Aug. 20 and is scheduled to be released to the general market and air on Christian television stations in October. Hosted by religious broadcaster Janet Parshall, it features interviews with evangelical supporters such as Jim Robison and political strategists such as Doug Wead as well as authors such as Aikman, a former senior correspondent for Time magazine.
The president’s uncle, William “Bucky” Bush,” in an on-camera interview links Bush’s dive into deeper faith with his ability to overcome his reputation as a heavy drinker.
“I’m sure it was his Christian faith that gave him the strength to do so,” Bush’s uncle said.
In many cases, the books and documentaries touch on the same themes. Aikman’s book and the Grizzly Adams film prominently feature a sermon given by the former Texas governor in 1999 in which he speaks of the need for church and state to be separate and expresses his belief that “faith can change lives.”
Aikman and Kengor both cite the president’s openness to other faiths _ and people of no faith.
“He has the most open and tolerant religious faith of any president I’ve ever seen _ no question about it,” said Kengor, a political science professor at Grove City College, a Christian school in Pennsylvania. “There is literally no president or politician in all of American history _ I’m choosing my words carefully _ who has spoken so glowingly of Islam.”
He and Aikman both relate Bush’s faith to domestic and international policy, from support of faith-based initiatives to his request for billions in global AIDS funding and goals of greater democracy and religious freedom in the Middle East.
“It’s not a faith-based foreign policy (but) faith affects his foreign policy in key ways,” Kengor said in an interview.
The White House declined comment on this media attention on the president’s faith.
Shaun Casey, an assistant professor of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, said the interest in the president’s piety is a melding of American curiosity about the stances of their political leaders and promotional efforts in a campaign season.
“I think it’s the market demand plus the marketers,” he said.
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Casey agrees with Kengor’s conclusion that Clinton had spoken more about religion than Bush but he said, the current president, unlike his predecessor, has not become active in a Washington congregation.
“If you want to talk about the presidents that have spoken the most about their faith publicly, … look at Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter, Clinton, LBJ (Lyndon Baines Johnson),” said Casey, who has written articles on Clinton and his faith.
“Bush is certainly up there. I think it would be wrong to say Bush … has used the most overt religious language. I don’t think you could make that case.”
Eds: Information about the documentaries mentioned in this story are available online. See http://www.frontline.org and http://www.grizzlyadams.tv)
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