George W. Bush: Bible Not Literally True

President George W. Bush has shocked some evangelical Christians by suggesting that the Bible is not "literally true." While most of the 85 percent of believing Christians in America would be comfortable with that sentiment, evangelicals will not be.

President George W. Bush made the statement on ABC's Nightline. Bush said, when asked about the Bible's literal truth, "Probably not. No, I'm not a literalist, but I think you can learn a lot from it." On the subject of the creation of the universe, President Bush went on to say, "I think that God created the Earth ... and I don't think it's incompatible with the scientific proof that there is evolution." Bush also suggested that Christians, Jews, and Muslims pray to the same God.

While some evangelical Christians, like David Brody of the Christian Broadcasting Network, will be aghast at this revelation, George Bush's religious beliefs are in the mainstream on American religious thoughts. Christians, like Bush, believe that two thousand years ago Jesus Christ, the son of God, was born, preached, and died in order to expiate the sins of humankind. They also believe that the Bible is a good guide book on how to live a good, virtuous life, particularly the New Testament teachings of Jesus.

But most Christians do not believe that the universe was literally created six thousand years ago in six days by divine fiat. The Bible is not a science book, nor, primarily, a history book, though there is history in it. And most Christians ignore some of the more violent pronouncements in the Bible, such as admonitions to kill Sabbath breakers, homosexuals, and women with loose morals.

George Bush does admit to praying for guidance when he has to make big decisions as President. But cautioned that when he does make a decision, it is not God's, but his alone and hence his responsibility alone.