Bush senses a "Third Awakening" of religious devotion in the United States

[dajoki]

WP
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14815580/

Bush tells group he sees a ‘Third Awakening’
President also depicts terror war as ‘confrontation between good and evil’

By Peter Baker

Updated: 10:16 a.m. ET Sept 13, 2006
WASHINGTON - President Bush said yesterday that he senses a "Third Awakening" of religious devotion in the United States that has coincided with the nation's struggle with international terrorists, a war that he depicted as "a confrontation between good and evil."

Bush told a group of conservative journalists that he notices more open expressions of faith among people he meets during his travels, and he suggested that might signal a broader revival similar to other religious movements in history. Bush noted that some of Abraham Lincoln's strongest supporters were religious people "who saw life in terms of good and evil" and who believed that slavery was evil. Many of his own supporters, he said, see the current conflict in similar terms.

"A lot of people in America see this as a confrontation between good and evil, including me," Bush said during a 1 1/2 -hour Oval Office conversation on cultural changes and a battle with terrorists that he sees lasting decades. "There was a stark change between the culture of the '50s and the '60s -- boom -- and I think there's change happening here," he added. "It seems to me that there's a Third Awakening."

The First Great Awakening refers to a wave of Christian fervor in the American colonies from about 1730 to 1760, while the Second Great Awakening is generally believed to have occurred from 1800 to 1830.

[stopbush]

1. The revival of the KKK can't be far behind.

[dajoki]

5. And then the "Second Comming"

[Craftsman]

24. That was uncalled for

Not all or even most real Christians are bigots. And hating people of faith is a form of bigoty.

[uppityperson]

2. I see it as a confrontation between good and evil, including Mr.bush

Amazing how I can agree wtih him. I am hoping more people wake up.

[TayTay]

3. Ahm, this one started in the late 70's or so

and, if the history quoted above is accurate, should be winding down. It last about 30 years. We are about 28 years or so in right now.

[Love Bug]

21. You are correct. It started with Jerry Falwell and the "moral majority"

Before that it was considered a no-no for born-again believers to participate in government. "That will corrupt you." was the belief.

[Dr.Phool]

4. He notices more expressions of faith from people he meets.

That's because they don't allow anyone who thinks differently within 5 miles of him during his travels.

[devinsgram]

18. And lets have an amen for that!

LOL, that was my first thought also. What an idiot, he has no clue about anything.

[dajoki]

19. AMEN!!

[thecrow]

6. "...boom -- and I think there's change happening here"

BOOM???!?!?!?!

Is that a subliminal code word for the base?

[Benhurst]

7. Bush must have a sixth sense, sort of like Dracula's knowing there

is holy water or a crucifix in a room.

I wonder if he can make his head spin completely around.

[TomInTib]

8. These people are plain looney. I saw a poll in NYTimes yesterday

that said only 10.4% of Amercans do not go to church and the same poll (by some Christian outfit) said that same 10.4% were not 'wholly secular'.

Personally, besides my Mother, I do not know one person who attends church. And she just goes for the social scene.

[Virginia Dare]

9. Compares himself to Abraham Lincoln...

and shows a supreme lack of knowledge of history. Is there no depth to his delusions?

[dajoki]

11. No, there IS no depth to him at all...

Bush noted that some of Abraham Lincoln's strongest supporters were religious people "who saw life in terms of good and evil" and who believed that slavery was evil. Many of his own supporters, he said, see the current conflict in similar terms.

He throws these statements out there without the slightest idea what he's talking about, trying to get as many takers as possible.

[Vickers]

10. Third Awakening, Third Reich, whatever works.

I bet he starts proclaiming that the Third Awakening will last a thousand years. Then we KNOW he and his gang of dumbasses are headed for a fall.

[sarcasmo]

12. MR Bush, since you talk to your God. When is the Rapture?

[AZBlue]

13. He seriously needs to start sharing his hallucinogenics with us.

eom

[bonzotex]

14. As usual, Chimpy is clueless and behind the curve....

You should take for granted that anytime Chimpy speaks he is full of shit and historically clueless. Even with his cherished Xtianist faith he just makes shit up. And I suppose we also have to take for granted that the press will just let him babble on without question or correction as usual.

If anyone cares:
Here's a nice Wikipedaia article on the 3rd Great Awakening.(a period of religious activism in American history from 1858 to 1908 BTW)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_Great_Awakening

If you care to study the Fourth Great Awakening, try:

"The Fourth Great Awakening and the Future of Egalitarianism"
by Robert William Fogel

It's wonky and boring, but covers the idea of spiritual awakenings in America and their consequences in the past and possible the future.

One thing I know for sure is Bush isn't a good source.

[izzybeans]

15. Well the televangelists are really pumping up the late night

revivalism. The phrase 3rd great awakening was something I actually heard from one of the the screechers on there. And if you read the above post they are missing the boat. However they may be trying to take back an "awakening" from modernist/progressive churches.

I occasionally turn on one of the fundievision stations for some giggles. It's gotten pretty damn scary at times.

They are really pushing hard. I suppose it is out of desperation more than anything. Revivals are usually called for when attendence drops. Like a fund drive or any other "revival" its a matter of resource depletion. They can't wish it to happen and define it apriori. That third great awakening phrase is code for his faux-base; a little red meat for the rabid fanatics to chew on. I can see the rapture ready now, "Is this a sign?" Rally around the fervor please! Sometimes the brimestone ends in an embarassing collapse. I'll make a counterprediction; and I say the right wing movement will collapse.

If an awakening is occuring its among the progressive religious factions.

[zcflint09]

16. "Only Republicans can be Christians. Terra Terra Terra"

nt

[Disturbed]

17. Yeah, millions are praying that the Dems take over both houses

and actually start standing up for all Americans and nueter the mad dogs of the Busholini Junta.

[mentalsolstice]

20. There Will Be An Awakening

Bush may be somewhat right about an awakening, however, it may come back and bite him in the ass. The awakening will be of religious Americans who will finally come to understand that you can be religious AND tolerant, and peaceful, and charitable. They'll come to understand that being religious means being respectful of other lifestyles and beliefs, and that you can work out differences peacefully. They'll realize that being religious means living by the golden rule, and that every individual, regardless of religious affiliation (or secular affiliation), sexual orientation, race, mental or physical capability, deserves a certain standard of dignity in this life.

[Irreverend IX]

22. I thought I was having a Third Awakening a couple hours ago

But it was just gas.

[Joe Bacon]

23. "Third Awakening" = Glorification of Stupidity

I see how my own family has been infected by Christianity. They turned into hard core Republicans who bullshit about Jesus and follow Ayn (as in Mine) Rand. They blame everything on Bill Clinton's Penis. I have nephews and nieces who only care about the rapture in a week or 2. I suggest that they try to go to college to get a better shot at a job, Their response, "Why should I waste my time when Jesus will rapture me in a week or 2?". The further they fall down the economic ladder, the deeper they get into Bible studies. They don't want to better themselves, their response to me, "You problem is YOU refuse to live on faith."

This country is well on the way to complete collapse thanks to Christianity!