Whose Side Is God On in the Gulf War?

“We are convinced that God is on our side.” Saddam Hussein during interview with Peter Arnett of CNN, Jan. 30

“The world needs to tell the one with the big stick that the stick in your hand cannot destroy the house of God or the humanity of man.” Hussein, in reference to George Bush during a domestic speech, Jan. 29

“We are being faithful to the values that God Almighty has inspired in us, for we have no fears of the forces of Satan, the devil that rides your shoulder.” Hussein in a Jan. 17 letter to President Bush

“In the coming period, the response of Iraq will be on a larger scale, using all the means and potential God has given us.” Hussein in domestic comments on Jan. 20

“Saddam tried to cast this conflict as a religious war, but it is nothing to do with religion per se. It has, on the other hand, everything to do with what religion embodies--good versus evil, right versus wrong, human dignity and freedom versus tyranny and oppression.” George Bush, Jan. 28, in speech to National Religious Broadcasters Assn.

“May God bless each and every one of them, and the coalition forces at our side in the Gulf, and may He continue to bless our nation, the United States of America.” Bush, Jan. 16

“God willing we will win this war.” Bush, Jan. 27

“During the darkest days of the Civil War a man we revere not merely for what he did, but for what he was, was asked whether he thought the Lord was on his side. And said Abraham Lincoln, ‘My concern is not whether God is on our side, but where we are on God’s side.’ My fellow Americans, I firmly believe in my heart of hearts that times will soon be on the side of peace, because the world is overwhelmingly on the side of God.” Bush, Jan. 28, in speech to National Religious Broadcasters Assn.

“I believe the Lord does hear our prayers . . . “ Bush on Jan. 31, at National Prayer Breakfast sponsored by members of the House and Senate