Not in God's Name

Virtually all of my liberal friends (yes, JohnGalt does have some friends who are liberals) have expressed worry that President Bush is "invested in this war in a religious way," citing his off-hand use of the term crusade in the weeks after 9/11 and his recent statements that he is comforted by prayer. Another cites the President's assertion that "he has received word from a 'higher calling'" that guides his actions.

I tell them that his resolve in holding Saddam to account is the President's least religious characteristic. Almost as if to prove this judgment, the Vatican was kind enough to issue a statement today clearly criticizing the actions of the coalition of the willing that "assume[s] a grave responsibility before God." President Bush does posess an individual trait that guides his actions in this matter but it is not his religious faith, it is his adherence to the principles of self-defense and personal responsibility.