Anti-Semitic comments from George Bush will receive new publicity in an upcoming book according to Raw Story. Bush told the Houston Post in 1993 that only those who “accept Jesus Christ” go to Heaven, but this story is one of many on Bush which the media has played down. Raw Story reports receiving an advanced copy of The Architect: Karl Rove and the Master Plan for Absolute Power in which Bush’s views are more explicit. Raw Story reports Bush said:
“You know what I’m gonna tell those Jews when I get to Israel, don’t you Herman?” a then Governor George W. Bush allegedly asked a reporter for the Austin American-Statesman.
When the journalist, Ken Herman, replied that he did not know, Bush reportedly delivered the punch line: “I’m telling ’em they’re all going to hell.”
The Republicans have been attempting to increase support among Jewish voters but have had limited success.
So, George W. Bush’s narrow, ego-centric “I am the center of the universe” worldview is on display again. He believes his religious beliefs are the “right” (no pun intended) beliefs, and those other human beings, the ones that don’t share his religious beliefs, will go to hell.
I simply can’t imagine living in such a constricted, claustrophobic world where only people “just like me” are allowed the illusion of going to heaven after death.
I mean, seriously. We create our own mythologies. I have no idea what happened to the millions who died at Hilter’s hands, but in my mind, they are in many beautiful heavens. As the poems say, “in the wind and breeze” and in the rays of the setting sun.
To wish ill, on anyone, in life, is bad enough. To consign them in our own minds to a hell after their death is sinister, sad and sacrilegious.
Poor GWB… to have a mind filled with such monsters.
Of course this isn’t just an anti-Semitic statement, but an attack on everyone who holds religious views different from his.
Well actually, aren’t all Christians taught everyone else is going to hell? As far as I know that’s what they believe. Not just the Christ hating right-wing ones. It’s the main part of the marketing campaign for their religion.
Dave,
That might be the official line, but I’ve known Christians who have rejected that idea.
For the rest, considering that the vast majority of people wind up in the religion of their parents or which is predominant where they live, it sure is a great coincidence that they were born into the one and only religion which will get them into heaven.
That idea… that all those “others” besides our own sacred, saved selves will go to hell… is nuts, plain and simple.
Remember my stories about my ex-boss, the rightwing newspaper
publisher? She actually believed her own mother would not be in heaven, because her mother didn’t believe what she believed. Kay was one of the most fascinating people I have ever met in my life… simply because she was my age and an actual, real live rightwing Christian neoncon. Her mind was as closed as they come.
What closes off someone’s worldview, especially on a matter as ephemeral and unproveable as heaven? I can understand closing ranks when it seems necessary for survival, but deciding who does or doesn’t get into a place that only actually exists in our hopes, dreams and imagination seems to me to be the ultimate in make-believe.
“God loves me. He doesn’t love you. So THERE.”
Though I think I remember hearing that one Christian sect, at least, was told recently that it is in fact possible for a non-Christian to get into heaven. If they lead the right type of life. I guess obviously meaning like the opposite of the religious-right. 🙂
Actually, it may have even been Chris Matthews talking about current Catholic belief, possibly? Though of course anything coming from Chris has to be suspect. Chris works awful hard to make sure everyone is aware that he’s about the dumbest, thickest, head of rocks around… He sure convinced me a few years ago and continues to confirm it basically ever day.
I have a tough time deciding to what degree this is Matthews’ stupidity, and to what degree it is an act for his show. Ocassionally he has an interview in which he seems to get it, and then he’ll same something incredibly stupid the next day despite having appeared to understand the previous day. He’s also less thick when doing his weekly show for NBC than when he does the daily Hardball for MSNBC.
My theory is that MSNBC has a Chris Matthews costume. Different people get into the costume on different days and do the show.
I do believe that it is current Catholic dogma (or WAS, before Ratzinger took over) that one does not have to be Christian to get to heaven. Good works, not “faith”, is supposed to be what it’s all about. Or, again, WAS. Heaven knows (no pun intended) what the current Pope has up his regressive, oppressive sleeve.
mbk,
One of my sisters is still a practicing Catholic, in fact, so is her husband, two children, son-in-law, grandchildren, etc. Catholic to the bone. She was talking about Ratzinger the other day and said, you know, he is sort of weird. I cracked up.
Are you still practicing? Or “lapsed?”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5743149
Excerpted from The Holy Vote: The Politics of Faith in America. Copyright 2006 by Ray Suarez. Excerpted by permission of Rayo, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.