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Mixed on war, evangelicals back Bush
Saturday, October 02, 2004

...Evangelical Christians are comfortable with the Republican president because they see him as one of them, the group said. They like his openness about his faith, appreciate his regular references to biblical passages, and identify with the presence of prayer in life. And they agree with him on key moral issues, especially his stance against abortion and gay marriage....

...And although they generally back the commander in chief on Iraq, many express decidedly mixed feelings about the war — especially those with sons approaching the age when they could be drafted. (Bush has said the draft won’t be reinstituted.)

"I want all this stuff to be over before they get to draft age," said Zandra McEntie, a fiscal officer and independent voter, referring to her teenage sons.

Edna Wright, 44, a school nurse with three sons, agreed the prospect of a draft is a "frightening thought."

Mike Burkett, the father of two teen sons, acknowledged, "I’ve really had to struggle with the whole Iraq war issue."

But the 43-year-old business analyst concluded that the United States needed to enforce United Nations sanctions on Iraq.

"There needs to be a policeman in this world," Burkett said.

That’s a big reason he’s voting for the president again.

Edna Wright’s husband, Harry, a 46-year-old lawyer who was the lone Kerry supporter in the group, said his decision was influenced by a pair of mission trips to Asia.

"My perception is that Americans are now perceived differently — and more negatively — overseas because of the war in Iraq," he said. "I’m not an enthusiastic supporter of John Kerry, but I’m uncomfortable with where we are, and I think we need a change."...

...During a retreat last month at a church camp near Loudonville, Ohio, the senior minister of one of the nation’s largest churches told several hundred men that the stage is set for anarchy in the United States because no society has ever survived without a moral conscience.

"I think we have more reasons to start a revolution than they did in 1776," said Bob Russell, senior pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Ky., attended by about 18,000.

"They had taxation without representation; we have imposed morality without representation. . . . I don’t see how you can be a dedicated Christian and remain neutral." ...