The Bushes and Their Unworthy Church

United Methodist layman and writer at American Thinker, Matthew May, has written a very powerful piece on the unworthy attacks by the leadership of the United Methodist Church against their most well-known member, George W. Bush. ("The United Methodist Church vs. George W. Bush"). It's a lengthy piece, but I welcome it.

Here is a sample where May illustrates the strong contrast between President Bush's true heart for God and the posturing, empty clanging of his numberless enemies:

United Methodists in positions of leadership often accuse President Bush of acting outside the teachings of Jesus Christ and the Methodist Discipline, the governing rules of the church. Yet has there ever been a president of the United States or any other American political figure who has more faithfully obeyed the teaching of Jesus Christ's teaching to turning the other cheek toward his political enemies than George W. Bush? Speaker Nancy Pelosi calls him "a total failure"; Sen. Dick Durbin attempted to link him with Pol Pot, Stalin, and Hitler during a speech on the floor of the Senate. Rep. Pete Stark accused President Bush and cronies laughing themselves silly at the American war dead in Iraq. There is literally not enough room to fully itemize the insults, lies, and slander thrown against President Bush these past eight years.

As often as allows, President Bush has met with families of those who have given the last full measure of devotion to their nation. These meetings are always private; never have any media been allowed to intrude. More often than not, such meetings would totally escape any media attention at all but for the desire of many of the families to publically express their gratitude for the president's concern, compassion, and sensitivity. Of course, not everyone involved in these meetings pays deference to the Commander-in-Chief - often he has been told to his face that his policies and his actions led directly to the death of a son or daughter. Rather than argue the point, President Bush has listened patiently and with kindness, sharing tears and expressing his own grief.

The responsibility of presiding as leader of the free world in this tumultuous period of history weighs heavily on George W. Bush. To suggest that it is easy - or amusing - for him to absorb the deaths and injuries of the military he commands is beyond crass. It is sinful and worthy of repentance by those who so often suggest such things.

To the dismay of many allies and supporters, the president has never responded in kind personally. Never. On the contrary there are seemingly endless examples of the president's kindness to his political foes, their families and associates, a kindness that comes congenitally and is an outgrowth of the numerous pledges of bipartisanship made by then-Governor Bush during the 2000 campaign. President Bush signed legislation to honor the late Robert F. Kennedy, naming the Justice Department building in Washington after him. Recall the kind, affectionate words of respect and fraternity delivered when President Bush dedicated the official White House portraits of Bill and Hillary Clinton. These gracious statements and sentiments of good feeling by George W. Bush go beyond the banal courtesies extended by presidents. This is the way the 43rd president operates at all times. It is indisputably unimaginable to consider the left's "Man of God," Jimmy Carter, ever being so publicly gracious to George W. Bush.

I've thought for a long time that President Bush would convert to Catholicism after he left office. (I believe he wouldn't do so while still in office from a desire not to cast either group into a negative light). As a Catholic, I'd be proud to welcome him. The truth of it is there are just as many Catholics who love giving him crap as Methodists, if not more, since there are so many more of us than there are Methodists. A majority of us, to my disgust, just voted for the most pro-abortion candidate who has ever run for high office. (Not ME). But Bush has a good relationship with both Pope Benedict and had a good relationship with Pope John Paul II, in spite of what you may have heard. What the editors of America and Commonweal think about him really doesn't matter.

On the subjects of just war, John Wesley's real feelings about war and peace, academic freedom, and the wisdom of our invasion of Iraq, and the exceptional character of this much-maligned President, you should read this article.