"Stretching faith beyond the rational has become accepted, even expected by other believers, yet it demonstrates that faith is a conditioned response, and as such can be manipulated.

God is the ultimate authority figure, but 'country' is second on the faith list -- 'God and country' is another conditioned pairing, a pairing which through long-term reinforcement demands that the faithful doubt neither's motives under any circumstance. America is doing God's work. This is God's country.

The country's leader, especially when supported and extolled by one's religious leaders, becomes accepted through this same extension of faith (unless, ala Bill Clinton, his own shameless immorality is exposed and denounced from the pulpit). As long as Bush keeps his pants zipped, proclaims his own faith and the Religious Right's leaders back him on it, his leadership is a matter of faith."