(no subject)

[asheris]

Ashcroft casts war in religious terms

From News Services
Published Feb 20, 2002

Attorney General John Ashcroft cast the U.S. government's war on terrorism in religious terms Tuesday, arguing that the campaign is rooted in faith in God and urging Christians, Jews and Muslims to unite in the effort.

Contrasting "the way of God and the way of the terrorists," Ashcroft's speech to Christian broadcasters in Nashville included some of the most explicitly religious remarks from the attorney general since he was confirmed amid controversy over his views more than a year ago.

"The call to defend civilization from terrorism resonates from a deeper source than our legal or even our political institutions. Civilized individuals -- Christians, Jews and Muslims -- all understand that the source of freedom and human dignity is the creator," Ashcroft said. ". . . And this is our responsibility: the guarding of freedom that God grants is the noble charge of the Department of Justice."

The remarks revived criticism from civil liberties advocates and did little to quell complaints from Arab-American leaders after he reportedly said this month that while Christianity is a faith in which God "sends his son to die for you," Islam is "a religion in which God requires you to send your son to die for him."

"Rather than allaying our concerns, these comments only raise more concerns," said James Zogby, president of the Washington-based Arab American Institute.

Justice Department spokeswoman Susan Dryden said Tuesday's speech was intended as a multifaith appeal for unity in the terrorism war.

Let me guess... multifaith, as long as you're his kind of Protestant?

"...this is our responsibility: the guarding of freedom that God grants is the noble charge of the Department of Justice."

Would that be the same freedom he's been yanking away from us? So much for guarding... *snort*

Comments

out of touch...

[hakuai.livejournal.com]

I am not sure why they feel their believes to be so righteous. The comment Bush made about North Korea being that "evil" communist and refering to them and Iran and Iraq as "axis of evil" is something that still has me wide open mouth. It infuriates me to see how they feel that anything different from their mentality is to be considered wrong... How can you say this nation has freedom of speech when you point at those who feel and believe differently?

[curmudgeon.livejournal.com]

The only thing that surprises me is that it took him so long to drag his god into it.

[asheris.livejournal.com]

Good point- I was starting to wonder if someone in the administration found a way to muzzle him.

Guess not. :(