NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Touting his desire to build a “more compassionate society,” President George W. Bush thanked Southern Baptists June 21 for being “soldiers in the army of compassion” who make a difference in America and the world.
Bush spoke to the Southern Baptist Convention by live video from the White House. This marked the fourth year in a row that Bush has addressed SBC messengers — all by live satellite except for 2003, when he sent a taped message.
Appearing relaxed, often smiling broadly at the cheers, shouts, whistles and applause he was receiving, Bush had to motion for quiet before he could begin his 11-minute speech.
Bush thanked SBC president Bobby Welch for his military service and expressed appreciation for a Southern Baptist campaign to send postcards to troops in the field. “Our men and women appreciate it even more,” he said.
He added that he and First Lady, Laura, “really appreciate your prayers, the prayers of our Baptist friends that have sustained us and uplifted us.”
Bush quoted George Washington as saying that America's Baptists were the “firm friends of liberty.” “Today another president George W. thanks you because more than two centuries later, you remain firm in your dedication to God and country.”
“You believe that the ideal of religious liberty is a free church in a free state,” he said, defining freedom as “a divine gift that carries serious responsibilities” to build a more compassionate society.
Bush touched on four elements known to resonate with many Southern Baptists — a proposed “family amendment” designed to prevent homosexuals from marrying, continuing legislation to curtail the practice of abortion, the appointment of more conservative judges, and government aid for faith-based organizations.
“Building a more compassionate society begins with preserving the source of compassion: the family,” he said. “Southern Baptists are practicing compassion by defending family and the sacred institution of marriage,” he continued, to loud and sustained applause.
“Because marriage is a sacred institution and the foundation of society, it should not be redefined by local officials and activist judges,” he said, to another round of cheers.
“For the good of families and societies, I support a constitutional amendment to protect the institution of marriage,” he said, then paused for more extended applause.
“For the good of [the] legal system, I will continue to nominate federal judges who faithfully interpret the law and do not legislate from the bench,” Bush said, calling for all of his nominees to get an up or down vote on the floor of the U.S. Senate. He thanked Southern Baptists for their “strong support” in that effort.
“Building a compassionate society also depends on building a culture of life,” Bush said, one that “defends its most vulnerable members at every stage of life” and “supports principles of ethical science.”
Ethical science must preserve human dignity, Bush said, citing his opposition to cloning and partial-birth abortion. “A compassionate society will not sanction the creation of life only to destroy it,” he said.
“With your continued dedication and work we will continue to build a culture of life in America, and America will be better off for it.”
“Finally, building a compassionate society requires that we mobilize our nation's armies of compassion to help the poor, the sick, and those who hurt.” Faith-based institutions change hearts every day, but the government has discriminated against faith-based programs, he said. “That's why I signed an executive order that said that faith groups providing social services are entitled to the same access to federal money as other groups.”
Bush said billions of dollars had been made available to faith-based groups, citing a $5.8 million grant to College Park Baptist Church in Orlando, Fla., to build 68 homes for low-income seniors.
“Faith based groups should never have to forfeit their religious liberty to get federal dollars,” he said. “We want your help, we want your love, but at the same time you do not have to forget the mission of faith or ignore the mission of faith that calls you to action in the first place.”
“Southern Baptists are the soldiers in the armies of compassion at home and abroad,” Bush said. He noted Southern Baptists' emphasis on sexual abstinence, which is credited with helping Uganda reduce HIV rates, and touted a recent $674 million government grant to provide emergency assistance in Africa.
“Service to others is a Baptist tradition,” Bush said. “As you work to feed the hungry and provide shelter for the homeless, you are changing America and the world for the better — one heart, one soul, and one conscience at a time.”
Messengers responded with a lengthy standing ovation.
They followed up Bush's speech with a “God and country” observance that included patriotic music and a pledge to the American flag.