Bush, Kerry Woo Christian Vote During Last Hours of Campaign

By Pauline J. Chang

In the last hours of the 2004 Presidential campaign, President Bush and Senator John Kerry breezed through Ohio and Florida, rallying the support of Catholic and Christian voters, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004. President Bush, a United Methodist, worshiped at The Church of the Epiphany – a Roman Catholic Church in Florida. Meanwhile, Kerry, a Catholic, attended a Catholic Mass in Dayton Ohio, then swung over to a predominantly black church for his second service.

At the Church of the Epiphany, the pastor Monsignor Jude O’Doherty praised Bush for his values.

"Mr. President, I want you to know that I admire your faith and your courage to profess it," the priest during his long tribute to Bush. "Your belief in prayer and dependence on God has to be an example for all of us."

Meanwhile, Kerry, who was attending his fifth predominantly black church service in the past month, criticized Bush without naming him.

"There is a standard by which we have to live. Coming to church on Sundays and talking about faith and professing faith isn't the whole deal,” said Kerry.

The new state polls show that Bush and Kerry are head to head in the top swing states: Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New Hampshire and New Mexico.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo