Dear Jake,
I was surprised to see that you found my use of the word "tool" for religion offensive, because it was not written or meant to belittle or mock religion.
I am also suspecting that you were probably more offended by me saying that George Bush used Christianity, rather than Eastern leaders using Islam.
So I will focus on that :o)
1. Ever since George W Bush run for presidency, he started using the kind of language that implied he was a born-again Christian. Take a look at his own statement on faith in his book "A Charge to Keep": http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/g/georgewbush.htm
In it he goes on and on about how Rev. Billy Graham (an evangelist) contributed to his "awakening". How he was moved by the Bible. How his faith set him free to make decisions that others might not like. This experience, he says, "It was the beginning of a new walk where I would commit my heart to Jesus Christ."
Now I find that interesting. This trust that Jesus died for "my sins" seems to be far more important than the teachings of Jesus. This breeds a therapeutic religious expression that insists that "Jesus in my heart" is more important than my lifestyle. It's like the Mafia don who could order his enemies killed while he himself was in church. There is a disconnect between one's inner experience of God's loving grace and embodying that experience outwardly through one's politics. So no need to follow Jesus in a lifestyle of nonviolence, economic justice and compassion. All you need to say is that "Jesus is in my heart" and everything you do, no matter how wrong, is OK.
He even adds: "I could not be governor if I did not believe in a divine plan that supersedes all human plans. Politics is a fickle business"
2. Bush has repeatedly sent signals to his right wing religious base.
In a State of the Union he said " there's power, wonder working power, in the goodness and idealism and faith of the American people", which is a direct rip off from this hymn "there's power, wonder working power in the blood of the lamb".
What Bush brings together is the holy zeal of Christian evangelism with patriotic fundamentalism. There is a reason why middle American and most Christians (especially evangelicals) were behind him in everything he did. The idea is that The United States was founded as a Christian nation. These religious values are today under attack in America. The danger is that without faith in God, America will lose its blessing. Therefore, the government needs to act to protect the nation's religious heritage.
On top of that, he also came up with "you are with us or against us", which leaves no neutral ground. He leaves no other options nor any dialog or debate that would create an alternative way to deal with terrorism.
Patriotism is now all or nothing: it is either total agreement or treason.
Just like in the Church you come to Jesus alone for salvation, in the state you obey the God-anointed leader and are thereby secured.
3. "God told me to end the tyranny in Iraq" ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2005/oct/07/iraq.usa )
This is not political language, it's Biblical. It means that this man is on a Divine mission. It also means that for him leadership is not "representing the people" rather leadership means transcending the will of the people. George Bush already knows the truth before the evidence is presented, because apparently he is guided by God. This is no different to Holy War (purging evil).
The point that I am making is that it would be stupid to think that America hadn't planned all these wars some 10 years ago.
George W Bush is simply using Christian rhetoric language and narratives in order to make those plans more acceptable by the population.
His use of those narratives speaks to the "high calling" of the American people.
4. As a side note, George Bush was notorious for ignoring calls for alternative energies and policies that will help the environment. But the people didn't really bother. Why? Because his evangelical brothers have convinced people that we live near the end of days. So why bother worrying about the future?
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Do you see now how religion is a "tool" in the hands of the government?
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Your country Jake, just like a lot of other countries, is dominated by the ideology of the Christian story. Not necessarily intentionally. But rather because that's what your founders understood. So Americans see themselves as God's "chosen people", because they need to feel connected to some higher power. Politicians and governments will always draw from that religious story because it gives higher authority to their agendas. George Bush (a member of the Skull and Bones secret society) used Christianity to justify his policies. But this form of Christianity was manipulated, it was a perversion of the Christian faith and rhetoric, it was the direct opposite of what Jesus embodied.
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Now you tell me how religion is not a tool and more importantly why you called me a tool.
Otherwise I suggest you eat your words along with a good piece of humble pie.
