Former President George W. Bush cracked jokes and gave a defense of religious liberty during his first commencement speech since leaving office at Southern Methodist University.
Bush had the crowd laughing with a joke about what happened when the college’s president called him and asked if he believed in free speech, before turning to more serious matters.
“It is essential to this nation’s future that we remember that the freedom to worship who we want, and how we want — or not to worship at all — is a core belief of our founding,” said the former president.
Famous for his poor grades, Bush joked that even C students can become president. He talked about why graduates should be hopeful after college.
“And finally, you can be hopeful because there is a loving God,” said Bush. “Whether you agree with that statement is your choice, it is not your government’s choice.”
