Some Lawrence pastors explained why they think President George W. Bush has tremendous political support from evangelicals and other religious conservatives.

“The reason why George Bush is so appealing to people like me is that I know that when a difficult decision comes (before him), he not only seeks counsel from individuals, he also seeks counsel from the Almighty,” said the Rev. Bill Hurlbutt, senior pastor of Christ Community Church, 1100 Kasold Drive.

Faith and the flag

Hurlbutt, who indicated that he was speaking as a private citizen, said evangelicals see Bush as someone who has a similar sense of faith in his life.

“He’s a servant leader who seeks to serve the country, but while he’s doing that, he’s (also) a servant to God. The thing that allows me to rest more in his leadership is that I know the God I’m praying to is the same God he’s praying to,” he said.

Many Christians respect Bush because they see him as a leader who stands firmly by his beliefs, according to the Rev. Paul Gray, senior pastor of Heartland Community Church, 619 Vt.

“Conservatives support George Bush primarily because he sees absolute rights and wrongs, absolute moral values, and he’s willing to stand by those and not cave in to political correctness, or doing whatever would please a certain block of voters to get elected,” said Gray, who also indicated he was speaking as a private citizen.

“He has clear moral values and principles, and he makes those known. I think conservatives would support him if he wasn’t a Christian or (didn’t) have religious leanings. But the fact that he does makes him more attractive and compatible to those of us who have the same beliefs.”