Is there any Proof or Links that Bush is a Rapturist?

[oc2002]

I know I have heard this from Bill Maur shows, but IS THERE ANY PROOF?

[Atman]

1. Did you say RAPIST or RAPTOR?

Or that he had a RUPTURE?...no proof, either way.

[jmowreader]

2. There's some serious circumstantial evidence

One of Bush's main spiritual advisors is Timothy LaHaye--who is an end-timer. He also hangs out with Jerry Falwell, who is also an end-timer.

I know about the End Times movement, but is Rapturism something different or just another name for End Times theology?

[oc2002]

5. Where is the proof of Tim being Bush's spiritual advisor?

I am googleing but can not find any links.

[DODI]

20. Here is an article from Rolling Stone that addresses this

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/5939999/reverend_doomsday

Reverend Doomsday
According to Tim LaHaye, the Apocalypse is now

. . .LaHaye professes no knowledge of whether President Bush buys into his views. "I have seen nothing from this president that would indicate that he is influenced one way or the other by my prophesy teaching," he says. But for Bush, an emotional, evangelical president who has repeatedly described the struggle against Saddam as a conflict between good and evil, LaHaye's views resonate with his. And though it's not known whether Bush has read any of the Left Behind books, he is a regular consumer of writing by other evangelists. Just recently, according to Falwell, Bush called a well-known born-again author, Rick Warren, to say he and Laura Bush had loved reading his new book, The Purpose Driven Life. Asked whether Bush is in accord with the End Times views of LaHaye, Falwell says, "My guess is that his views would differ very little, but that's conjecture." Jenkins, LaHaye's co-author, says only, "Every Christian ought to be happy that we have someone in the White House who says he believes what we do."

[spinbaby]

3. Have you seen Rapture Ready?

http://www.raptureready.com/rap2.html

[Dr. Jones]

12. Rapture Ready, funny!

I've seen that board. Have some fun; sign in there, say "boo" about Bush, and see how fast you get kicked off. You've really got to tow the "Bush-worship" line or you're OUTTA THERE.

[tandot]

4. He is working hard on destroying this planet

I guess he wants the end of the world coming sooner rather than later :shrug:

[Dr. Jones]

14. Yes, a self-fulfilling prophecy, LIHOP gone amuck...

Many Christians still worship the man no matter what. One time I happen to be flipping through the channels and found a prophecy teacher named Hal Lindsey speaking on Iran is the REAL threat, not Iraq (this was before the war). But then in 2004 I happened to catch him again, and he urged everybody to vote the "RIGHT" way and the "GODLY" way. Walked a VERY fine line legally - didn't come out and say "vote for Bush," but it was most certainly implied.

I personally thought that "right and godly way to vote" was Kerry. Funny how they have such a different perspective.

[AlGore-08.com]

6. If he is, he won't admit it in public. Recently at a Cleveland event

a woman in the audience asked him about Kevin Phillip's book "American Theocracy", which discusses "radical Christianity" (in quotes because it's Phillip's term) and it's growing involvement in Government - - and that members of the Bush admin had reached out to prophetic Christians who see the Iraq war & the rise in terrorism as signs of the Apocalypse. She asked him if he also believed that the war in Iraq & rise in terrorism were signs of the Apocalypse, "and if not, why not?"

Bush blinked uncomfortably for a moment, "um"ing and "er"ing as the audience laughed, then he finally said "I haven't really thought of it that way."

Jon Stewart's riff on this surreal moment was that Bush was torn between sucking up to his Christian base, and not wanting to look crazy in public.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

7. Bush is a Methodist

and I don't think that is a particularly Methodist doctrine. At least none of the ones I know.

I think he has politically exploited the people who believe in the rapture. He is an opportunist par excellence.

[Dr. Jones]

13. Well said, Grannie.

Some Methodist churches in the South, like here in TX, are more on the "evangelical" side. So I could see that some Methodists could believe in the rapture, etc. But yes indeedy, he HAS politically exploited the Christians - there can be no doubt about that.

[jwirr]

16. The charismatic rapturists have infiltrated almost all religions.

You are right it is not a Methodist doctrine but I suspect there is as many Methodist who are following the rw fundies as there are in any other church.

[jmowreader]

23. IIRC he's renounced Methodism

When the Methodists came out against Bush's war against Iraq, Bush gave up on the Methodists. This was when he tied himself to the end timers.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

24. Oh...I did not KNOW that.

Good information to have. Thanks.

[Atman]

8. I'm not actually convinced he's really a Christian

I think it's all a big snake-oil show to hook the red-staters. Anyone as fundie as W claims to be would be spouting it in every speech he makes. Yet somehow, he never does. And he NEVER attends church. What's up with that. Just more calculated BushCo propaganda.

[Dr. Jones]

17. Yes, that's right.

I personally believe they concocted a sinister, complex story about how Bush was a drunk then got saved, etc. Evangelicals REALLY latch onto somebody who has had a hard life, then becomes a Christian. You see that also whenever a Hollywood actor becomes an evangelical - they may never walk the walk, but oh nooooooo, bow down and worship them, and don't say anything negative about them. You cannot even QUESTION such a person no matter what they do - they say, "So and so gave their life to Christ, do not judge." Well it ain't judgement, it's common sense!

Doesn't the Bible also say you will know them by the good deeds they do and by their sincerity? I see none of this in Bush.

Oh, one more thing. There was a story that circulated the Internet just after the elections (or maybe before?) that Bush "witnessed" to a teenager for 1/2 hour on a busy tour. It was a lie. You can check it out on Snopes. Probably a Rovian deal.

[Ron Green]

21. I think he DOES attend church.

Or at least I've seen many video clips of his leaving what looks to be a church and being greeted by a man dressed as a minister, one who looks rather ecumenical, actually.

I don't believe for a minute that * has any personal understanding of the Christian message of forgiveness, redemption, humility, etc.

[emulatorloo]

22. as orchestrated by Miss Karen Hughes and Karl Rove

Agreed -- he is as much an evangelical Christian as he is a "Rancher" and "Businessman."

[poleepafrog]

9. I haven't seen proof.

But if you find some, I'd like to.

[boobooday]

10. I think he is a 'whateverist'

He believes that he can do no wrong, and if he destroys the world, then it will be because the destruction of the world is what God wants.

So he just says, "whatever."

[TallahasseeGrannie]

19. Well put

a Whateverist. I like that.

[Dr. Jones]

11. Newsflash: Bush was just USING Christianity for personal gain.

Same as DeLay. That was clearly evident in Scanlon's testimony: i.e., "wackos."

I really think Bush is a wolf in sheep's clothing.

[Virginia Dare]

15. The thing that convinced me...

was this...

http://www.atsnn.com/story/175452.html

[Crankie Avalon]

18. "THIS IS THE BIG ONE, PEOPLE!!!"

"They're coming to take me away, HAHA!!!
They're coming to take me away, HOHO!!!
HEEHEE!!! HAHA!!! To the happy home!
Where life is beautiful all the time..."

[rug]

25. He gests all the Rapture he needs from Bourbon.