The Bush Presidency: Undermining the Separation Between Church and State

Introduction: The Establishment Clause

The Establishment Clause is an important element of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof…” However, the Establishment Clause does more than reinforce the freedom of religion; given the high religious diversity of the United States, the Clause functions to “de-politicize” religion. The Establishment Clause is supposed to remove religious issues from the ballot box and politics, overall (Levy 1).

The Establishment Clause separates government and religion in order to maintain civility between believers and non-believers. In spite of the Establishment Clause, religion saturates American public life. Every president swears the oath of office with one hand on the Bible and often says “So help me God.” Almost every president has proclaimed days of prayer and thanksgiving to God. The Supreme Court opens its session only after the bailiff has asked God to save the Court and the United States. Witnesses in court swear to tell the truth, “So help me God.” Congress, as well as every state legislature, starts its daily sessions with a prayer from a chaplain whose salary is paid using public tax money. All of us, including schoolchildren, invoke God on behalf of our nation when pledging allegiance to the flag. Even U.S. currency announces that “In God We Trust” (Levy 2).

Despite the intentions of the Establishment Clause it is clear that religion still plays a great role in both American’s daily lives and the U.S. government. However, it is especially concerning when the president of the United States allows his religious beliefs to shape his political agenda. George W. Bush has been described as the most religious president in recent American history. While this may be an overstatement, Bush certainly is among the most religious presidents in the sense that he blurred the line between religion and politics. This chapter will analyze religion’s affect on George W. Bush’s political agenda and his blurring of the line separating church and state.

Finding God

George W. Bush was 39 years old when he rededicated himself to Christ. Bush began “reading the Bible more regularly, he read daily devotionals, turned more to prayer, and joined a men’s Bible study group.” Soon after, Bush gave up drinking, later he gave up smoking and chewing tobacco. “He attributes his healthier lifestyle and subsequent political success directly to his decision for Christ.” Bush has stated, “There is only one reason that I am in the Oval Office and not in a bar. I found faith. I found God. I am here because of the power of prayer” (Berggren 615).

Bush has always been comfortable sharing his faith with others. This was especially evident during the 1999 Republican presidential debates. When asked who his favorite political philosopher was Bush responded, “Christ, because he has changed my heart. When you turn your heart and your life over to Christ, when you accept Christ as the Savior, it changes your heart. It changes your life. And that’s what happened to me.” George W. Bush also feels very comfortable in front of Evangelical audiences. He considers many Evangelical preachers to be close friends and Bush often surrounds himself with fellow believers in his personal, business, and political life (Berggren 615).

Unlike most other presidents, George W. Bush does not separate his faith from politics. Bush sees “politics as a religious vocation, a calling, and a sacred duty to be performed for God and humankind.” Bush has stated that he prays that he be as good a “messenger of His will as possible.” For personal strength, Bush consults not his father, the former president of the United States, but the heavenly Father (Berggren 616).

President George W. Bush transformed the White House into a place of faith, specifically Evangelical faith. Bush chose several individuals with strong religious backgrounds or devotional habits to serve in his administration. He opened every cabinet meeting with a prayer and insisted on a “high moral tone” in the White House.  Overall, the Bush White House became a “largely tee-totaling, non-smoking, non-cussing affair.” Former speechwriter David Frum, an orthodox Jew, explained that if one wants “to understand the Bush White House, you must understand its predominant creed and culture – modern Evangelicalism.” Frum also noted that the first words spoken to him in the White House were “Missed you at Bible study” (Berggren 614).

George W. Bush has made numerous references to his belief that he could not be president if he did not believe in a “divine plan that supersedes all human plans.” Richard Land, of the Southern Baptist Convention, recalled Bush once saying, “I believe God wants me to be President” (Wallis 65).

From day one, George W. Bush integrated his faith into his presidency. His first official act as president was to make Inaugural Day a National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving, stating “I cannot succeed in this task without the favor of God and the prayers of the people.” During this proclamation President Bush asks the American people to “bow our heads in humility before God that calls us not to judge our neighbors, but to love them, to ask His guidance upon our Nation and its leaders in every level of government” (Kengor 89-90).

Bush’s personal faith helped his interest in promoting his policy of compassionate conservatism in dealing with faith-based initiatives, abstinence, abortion, stem-cell research, and same-sex marriage as part of his new administration (Wallis 62). Also, Bush’s religion shaped his foreign policy after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.