his personal struggle with prostate cancer had strengthened his face in God.
"If you would have asked me a few years ago about my faith in God, I would feel more uncomfortable, as it was more private. But having gone through prostate cancer and September 11, I am more comfortable now to talk about it," he told NBC television.
Speaking at NBC’s weekly talk show "Meet The Press" Giuliani revealed that he had asked God to take away physical pain which he thought was the beginning of a heart attack on September 11.
"Perhaps I was bargaining with God, but I remember telling Him: "If a heart attack has to happen, please don’t let it happen today. New York needs me now," said the former mayor who recently published a book about his experiences.
OSAMA BIN LADEN
But Giuliani also made clear that his faith in a loving God did not take away his intention to personally execute Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind behind the attacks. Giuliani confirmed earlier reports he had told President George W. Bush that he wanted to be the person to execute bin Laden "on behalf of all New York."
United States First Lady Laura Bush, who also attended "Meet The Press" said September 11 had shown it was important to further develop faith in God and "a strong moral base." She said her husband, the president, "reads the Bible and a biblical devotion every morning" to start the day.
"I am not so disciplined," she admitted, "however especially…the stresses that are part of every American life, strengthened my faith." She did not make clear in the program if that involves a personal relationship with Christ.
WASHINGTON ARCHBISHOP
Sitting at the same table as Mrs. Bush and Giuliani, Washington Archbishop Theodore McCarrick pointed out it was important that people realize there is a loving God.
"He has no other choice than to love us," he said, while admitting that his Church has suffered under the recent sex scandals that involved abusing children, several decades ago.
Despite the strength they apparently receive in faith, the panel agreed it was difficult for people who spend a second Christmas without those they loved and who died in the September 11 attacks.
Giuliani said he had personally noticed that fire fighters and others who lost relatives "were doing terrible this Christmas," and that it was important to help them as well as to never forget "those who put their lives on the line in uniform."
