George HW Bush: ‘I don’t believe an atheist could be president’

Originally published in Charisma News

The 41st president of the United States, George HW Bush who died on Friday at the age of 94, was not one to regularly talk about his faith, but he understood its importance, especially in the Oval Office.

In 1992, during an interview with CBN’s Pat Robertson, Bush said faith is crucial for anyone leading the country.

“I don’t believe that an atheist could be president of the United States,” he said. “Anybody that did not have something bigger than himself or herself — and faith is the answer.”

Bush spoke about regular prayers at meals and before bed with his wife Barbara. He also agreed with Robertson about the need for it in the Oval Office.

Robertson noted that Abraham Lincoln once said he couldn’t handle the job except on his knees and Bush responded, “Yes, you have to.”

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He explained, “The more I am there, the more I understood what Lincoln meant, the more I understood the need to have some lift, some strength greater than yourself.”

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Bush died Friday in Houston at age 94.