According to the Evangelical Leaders Survey of 2008, a majority of Evangelical leaders believe that the US should stay in Iraq "until the job is done."
As you might expect, many of these leaders believe that George Bush was correct to invade Iraq and topple Hussein's dictatorship. Take a look at this:
However, the survey also shows that Evangelical leaders aren't necessarily marching in lock-step behind the President.
Many of the leaders suggest that we should stick around now that we're there but also make a point to state that it was a mistake to go in in the first place. Most suggest that the intelligence was faulty and none go so far as to call the President's actions criminal. Nonetheless, there are many leaders who believe that our presence there is harmful. Take a look at this list of quotes from the National Association of Evangelicals' website:
Although personally, I feel that assuming a pro- or anti-war stance based on a 6,000-year-old collection of books is naive at best, it is encouraging to see leaders of this extremely influential religious movement making efforts to look at the situation reasonably.
Let's be honest. Neither McCain, Clinton, nor Obama will be able to get our troops out in less than four years and it will probably cost another half-a-trillion dollars. Still, this is a significant idealogical debate and I'm glad to see Evangelical leaders are struggling with it just as hard as the rest of the nation.
As you might expect, many of these leaders believe that George Bush was correct to invade Iraq and topple Hussein's dictatorship. Take a look at this:
I believe that the future will reveal that the President’s decision to go into Iraq was wise.
However, the survey also shows that Evangelical leaders aren't necessarily marching in lock-step behind the President.Many of the leaders suggest that we should stick around now that we're there but also make a point to state that it was a mistake to go in in the first place. Most suggest that the intelligence was faulty and none go so far as to call the President's actions criminal. Nonetheless, there are many leaders who believe that our presence there is harmful. Take a look at this list of quotes from the National Association of Evangelicals' website:
“I am also very concerned that the ardent support by Evangelicals for the war in Iraq, and unquestioning support of President Bush has made Evangelicals appear as if we are ‘pro-war.’ The increasing battle cry among Evangelicals to fight radical Islamists is also troubling to me.”According to the short summary article at the website, there are even some Evangelical leaders who believe that war for any reason is unbiblical and who feel dismayed that the Evangelical movement as a whole is considered pro-war.
“I think President Bush has totally miscalculated Islam, and must better understand its basic philosophy and doctrine before we can shape a winning strategy.”
“My biggest concern is the international long term damage done to the image of America.”
“I believe the war is a major recruiting tool for Islamic extremists, a continuing barrier to raising up reasonable voices in Islam, and a danger and deterrent in Evangelical outreach.”
Although personally, I feel that assuming a pro- or anti-war stance based on a 6,000-year-old collection of books is naive at best, it is encouraging to see leaders of this extremely influential religious movement making efforts to look at the situation reasonably.
Let's be honest. Neither McCain, Clinton, nor Obama will be able to get our troops out in less than four years and it will probably cost another half-a-trillion dollars. Still, this is a significant idealogical debate and I'm glad to see Evangelical leaders are struggling with it just as hard as the rest of the nation.
