Well in light of the first paragraph, I think it's pretty clear what he thinks of non-religious people.

Heather, did you mean something in here:

Mr. Bush told editors and reporters of The Washington Times yesterday in an interview in the Oval Office that many in the public misunderstand the role of faith in his life and his view of the proper relationship between religion and the government.

"I think people attack me because they are fearful that I will then say that you're not equally as patriotic if you're not a religious person," Mr. Bush said. "I've never said that. I've never acted like that. I think that's just the way it is.

Or this, from Allyson's [link] "Bush: 'I don't see how you can be president without a relationship with the Lord'..."

his father made a horrible statement about non-theists not being, to his mind, able to be as patriotic.

You know in their sense of the word "patriotic" we're probably not.

"Bush: 'I don't see how you can be president without a relationship with the Lord'..."

I think that could just mean he needs his faith to have the strength to deal with the job, rather than you must be Christian to be president.

Cindy, Bush Sr. said that athiesm was incompatible with patriotism. Bush Jr, in a defense of his inclusiveness, said that he would nominate anyone who belived in god, be they Christian, Jewish, or Muslim.

First paragraph in the link.

Not just "non-religious". Anyone who follows a non-Biblical religion.

I think that could just mean he needs his faith to have the strength to deal with the job, rather than you must be Christian to be president.

I don't find that any less objectionable, fwiw.

Whoops, read too fast. I skipped over the "he" and "his."

But it's not what he said, and I don't believe it's what he means.

Cindy, Bush Sr. said that athiesm was incompatible with patriotism. Bush Jr, in a defense of his inclusiveness, said that he would nominate anyone who belived in god, be they Christian, Jewish, or Muslim.

Thanks, brenda.

I'm never sure whether it's okay to be mean about President Bush around Americans, y'know? Whether it's one of those 'we can mock, but outsiders better not' situations, like with family? And that's around Americans who don't like Bush. I don't think I've ever met an American who does though. Or at least, not one that would admit to it. Hmm.

I think that could just mean he needs his faith to have the strength to deal with the job, rather than you must be Christian to be president.

You know, I could buy that if he'd said, "I rely on my faith" or "My faith aids me in my office" but he used "you". I know he's a crap speaker, but I think if what he meant was that he needs his faith, rather than "one must have a relationship with the Lord" he'd have said something else.