Does Bush's religious faith inappropriately dictatate policy

Just an observation on "Inspirational Pamphlets" and "Latrines" ... to my experience, both were features of military life, and both frequently were closely associated. Troops in the field are good at improvization in the face of necessity.

Timber
And they both serve the same purpose. As a depository of crap.

Well said, Au!

Boy, timber, you sure opened yourself up to that one! Well deserved too. I wuld've responded the same if I was as witty. LOL c.i.

Hmm - seemed a little like a cheap shot, to me. No accounting for taste, I guess.

Phamplets, ahhhh, good wipe too - not very absorbant, but it works for the big stuff.

Think y'all could steer it back up out of that gutter you got into there?

Snood, I think that to ridicule someone's religious beliefs is terribly low, but this isn't about a particular religion, it is about a coersive pamphlet that is little more than a command to pray for the president. If it winds up in the latrine, that is just where it belongs.
That the president, or the administration, would allow this thing to be distributed is an abomination. It is likely that it wasn't produced by the government, but it had to be OK'd before being distributed to the soldiers.

I'll bet anything it was GW's idea. The man is a religious fanatic. The toliet is the only good place for crap like that. Just back......Lola is victorious over wealthy Republican millionaires and creepy, religious zealot Republican lawyers. YAY There's need for celebration!!!!!!!

Lola, that sounds very inspiring!! Can you fill us in?

Diane I agree that to ridicule somebody's religious beliefs is terribly low, unless (as in my case) you are a Catholic and then everyone's fair game.

Can't give details, but we can say that Lola has taken her revenge. That's not enough to solve the current problems with this administration's "psychosis," but it makes me feel better, it surely does! I am very happy tonight!

I don't know if the following is true or not, but I just received it in my email box from a friend in Australia. I'm posting it here for some comments/opinions. c.i.
******************************************************



A Christian's Duty in Time of War

FEAR LOOMS in the hearts of millions of Americans as our nation faces war. Thousands of families are tearfully saying good-bye to troops deployed to the Gulf Region. The potential for war and acts of terrorism daily threaten the safety and security we have known for decades.

How should Christians respond to such a crisis? The Bible is clear on this issue. There is a time for war and there is a time for peace. (Eccl. 3:8) But in both situations, God tells us not to fear. When the Lord ordered Joshua to cross the Jordan, He said, "Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

Just as the Lord was with Joshua, He is with us. Through times of
uncertainty, struggle, and even war, He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Heb. 13:5) The Lord has a purpose for every situation and circumstance -- nothing is outside of His control.

In times of both peace and conflict, citizens have the duty to pray,
intercede, and give thanks for their country's leadership. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) How much more, now that our country is faced with war, should we Christians be on our knees, prayerfully supporting our authorities, our decision-makers, and our troops.

Let us have the same response Jehoshaphat had as he faced battle: he "turned his attention to seek the LORD." We can also follow his example by fasting when we pray. (2 Chron. 20:3) Furthermore, we can offer tremendous support to our troops by serving their families while they are away.
Remember their parents, spouses, and children with prayer and acts of kindness during their deployment.

In Touch Ministries has prepared this prayer guide to help you pray more effectively for ourPresident, our leaders, and our military during these critical days.

Wartime responsibilities are not limited to those with government positions or military assignments. When we think of our fellow Americans serving in the military and the sacrifices their work exacts from them and their families, we must remember that it is our Christian duty to support them in every possible way.

Your faithful prayers, fasting, and acts of service will do more to conquer the enemy than any material weapon of war. Strive to uphold President Bush, his advisors, and our troops daily during this time of conflict, and consider fasting as you beseech the Lord on their behalf. You may obtain a list of others in positions of leadership by visiting www.whitehouse.gov.
Write a message to our President on the postcard provided to let him know you are praying for him.

SUNDAY
PRAY that the President and his advisors will seek God and His wisdom daily and not rely on their own understanding.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own
understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. - PROVERBS 3:5-6
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PRAY for God to give our soldiers protection.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. - PSALM 34:7

MONDAY
PRAY that the President and his advisors will be strong and courageous to do what is right, regardless of critics.
Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. - JOSHUA 1:7
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PRAY for God to give our soldiers wisdom.But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. - JAMES 1:5

TUESDAY
PRAY that the President and his advisors will have the unified support of the American people as well as that of other countries around the world. Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed ... - TITUS 3:1
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PRAY for God to give our soldiers courage.
Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. - JOSHUA 1:9

WEDNESDAY
PRAY that the President and his advisors, and their families will be safe, healthy, well-rested, and free from fear.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. - PROVERBS 3:24
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PRAY for God to give our soldiers peace.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - PHILLIPPIANS 4:7

THURSDAY
PRAY that the President and his advisors will be successful in their
mission and that world peace will be realized.
The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace. - NUMBERS 6:24-26
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PRAY for God to give our soldiers strength.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. - PHILIPPIANS 4:13

FRIDAY
PRAY that the President and his advisors will recognize their divine
appointment, and will govern accordingly, in compassion, mercy, and truth.
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. - ROMANS 13:1
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PRAY for God to give our soldiers the help of His presence.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. - PSALM 46:1

SATURDAY
PRAY that the President and his advisors will remember to keep their eyes on almighty God and be mindful that He is in control.
O our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You. - 2 CHRONICLES 20:12
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PRAY for God to give our soldiers unity.
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kind-hearted, and humble in spirit ... - 1 PETER 3:8


I have committed to pray for _______________________________________________.
I am fasting on ______________________.
I will minister to ____________________ through acts of service.

http://www.itmimg.org/images/duty_brochure2.pdf

Ketamine, do you mean that everyone of the Catholic faith is fair game?

Yes Diane I mean that we are not hypersensitive like Muslims, Jews etc.

c.i.,

Watch next for the request for money to support the "ministry" Love the President, Hate the Infidel............some Christian love!

knowing a bit about you, I find this very intriguing.

Diane, with respect, you don't know what this is "about". The article cited here leaves a lot of very important details out, and--being the cynic I am--I suspect it did so with the intent of engendering the very response we see in you.

What we do know is that a private religious group disseminated pamphlets to some number of marines. Those pamphlets asked those marines to pray for the president, the country, etc..

What a terrible, frightening thing that is! An "abomination"???? Life must be too easy and stress free when people call a non-event like this an "abomination".

One man's abomination is another man's abominable snowman. I'd not be bothered either but my criteria seems to differ greatly from the next guy's.

Funny, but I see nothing in the text about hating anyone. I guess that's called "reading with bias".

It's fascinating how easy it can be to spot a bigot if you just sit back and watch people interact.