-Caveat Lector- http://www.dukenews.duke.edu/news/newstip.asp?id=991&catid=2&cpg=newstip.asp
Divinity Professor Questions President's Use Of Religious Rhetoric Biblical scholar Stephen Chapman assesses George W. Bush's controversial use of scriptural language Tuesday, November 12, 2002 | President George W. Bush�s ongoing use of religious scripture will indicate whether he plans to become a nobler statesman or a bolder warmonger in the wake of the Republican Party�s historic national victory, Duke University biblical scholar Stephen Chapman says. "Much attention has already been paid to the way in which Bush�s language reinforces a moral divide between the forces of �good� and the forces of �evil,�" said Chapman, an ordained Baptist minister and assistant professor of Old Testament at Duke�s Divinity School. "The great danger of such speech is that it �demonizes� political opponents and rules out by definition any attempts at compromise." >From John Winthrop through Ronald Reagan, the United States has a long tradition of political leaders using scriptural references. But the current president made an ill-advised choice to close his June 24 speech on the Middle East crisis with a quotation from the Old Testament, ostensibly choosing sides in the conflict, Chapman said. An even more intolerable misstep occurred on the one-year anniversary of Sept. 11, when Bush closed his speech from Ellis Island with a quote from the first chapter of the Gospel of John that related America�s role in the world to the life and work of Jesus Christ. "Bush considers himself an evangelical Christian, yet he speaks of the state in ways that Christianity reserves to Christ alone," Chapman said. "From the standpoint of Christian theology and responsible biblical interpretation, when the state acquires messianic significance in the mouths of its rulers, it becomes demonic and deserving of civil disobedience." - - - - Chapman is available for interviews at (919) 660-3408 (office); (919) 613-1605 (home); or [EMAIL PROTECTED] . For additional information, contact: Blake Dickinson | phone: (919) 668-6114 | email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds�is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
