Throughout the United States political history our presidents have or have not chosen to use their religious beliefs in their rhetoric. Now in our current society the people of this country are so zealous about cutting out religion from rhetoric that they are in a way asking our candidates to not talk about a fundamental portion of their lives. our country since the beginning has stated in our constitution that there is to be a separation between church and state. However I feel that many people do not take the time to know that first that statement means that the church cannot run the government nor can the government run the church. Second in this modern era our citizens are so ignorant to the fact that religion no matter what religion they followed, it was very prevalent in our president’s speeches and everyday rhetoric. My purpose is to point out different quotes from presidents rhetoric concerning religion and the state or how religious affiliation affected their everyday lives.
I think that it is appropriate to go from beginning to end. Our very first president the founder of our presidential system and example to all presidents after him was grounded in scientific thought and loved democracy with a passion he was a man of few speeches compared to our current president. However in his rhetoric there are religious quotes and quotes concerning religion. “Religious controversies are always productive of more acrimony and irreconcilable hatreds than those which spring from any other cause.” [George Washington, letter to Sir Edward Newenham, June 22, 1792]. Another quote from our first president concerning religion, “The blessed Religion revealed in the word of God will remain an eternal and awful monument to prove that the best Institutions may be abused by human depravity; and that they may even, in some instances, be made subservient to the vilest of purposes.” Now many believed that these quotes support the claim that Mr. Washington was a atheist, however these quotes do show that his views about religion were included in his rhetoric.
Our next president John Adams had several quotes about religion in his own rhetoric. “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” “The government of the United States is not in any sense founded upon the Christian religion” “The Hebrews have done more to civilize men than any other nation. If I were an atheist, and believed blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations.” These men both were profound thinkers of their time. Yet even they used their religion in their rhetoric. Or they spoke of topics concerning religion in their rhetoric. At this time in our countries history people were really scared that the church may be in charge of the government instead of the people they were afraid of another roman church.
Another of our founding fathers used religion in his rhetoric however like the other two it is not in the context that many people think it was. "The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion to their hopes, & they [the clergy] believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes. And they believe rightly; for I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. But this is all they have to fear from me: & enough too in their opinion, & this is the cause of their printing lying pamphlets against me. . ." Jefferson like those before him was very liberal in thought and believed that men had the right to do what they please with themselves concerning religion so when it comes to others asking him about scandal between him and some pastors his rhetoric clearly demonstrates his feelings about religious or as he said any kind of tyranny from church, man or government.
Skipping ahead a little our president Andrew Jackson often spoke of his beliefs in his rhetoric and used quotes from the Bible to speak about what he believed. Does this mean that his religious rhetoric affected his policy well maybe yes and maybe no however he was not afraid to use religion in his rhetoric. "Go to the Scriptures...the joyful promises it contains will be a balsam to all your troubles. That book...is the rock on which our republic rests." "Sir, I am in the hands of a merciful God. I have full confidence in His goodness and mercy...The Bible is true. I have tried to conform to its spirit as near as possible. Upon that sacred volume I rest my hope for eternal salvation, through the merits and blood of our blessed Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." Was this man afraid to show the world his beliefs? Well no he was not. He was not afraid to show his beliefs in his rhetoric as well. I for one am proud that even though there was pressure for him not to mix his religious view into his rhetoric he did so because he believed it was right. I honestly believe that no matter who is president they should not hide what they believe and if their religion is such a big part of their lives than we should expect to see that religion in their speeches and their addresses. The country wants honest people not people pleasers so I think that he is honorable for stating so clearly in his speeches his beliefs. Even Teddy Roosevelt spoke of religion in his speeches. “A thorough understanding of the Bible is better than a college education.” Did these men allow their faith to rule the country? I believe no that is why they set up a democracy so that there could be checks and balances. However I do believe that for the better they allowed their religious views to help influence their decisions concerning this country and they let the people know that by using their rhetoric to convey that decision making process.
Now days there are example of religious rhetoric in our modern presidents. It is my view and honor to say that I supported President George W Bush when he used the Bible in his rhetoric and his speeches. he spoke openly about his beliefs and hi speeches openly spoke about his beliefs. He is a man that loves the Lord and is not afraid to show it. Now i would have voted for him if I could simply because his rhetoric spoke so boldly about how he believes in Christ and is going to ask for his guidance in his policy decisions. Many people were upset with this and talked about separation between religion and state. Still we knew his intentions and I believe that because he used religion in his rhetoric the people knew exactly what they were getting when they were voting for him. They were not deceived at all by his words when it came to his beliefs. "...The God I know is one that promotes peace and freedom. But I get great sustenance from my personal relationship. That doesn't make me think I'm a better person than you are, by the way. Because one of the great admonitions in the Good Book is, don't try to take a speck out of your eye if I've got a log in my own." "My faith plays a big part in my life. And when I was answering that question what I was really saying to the person was that I pray a lot. And I do. And my faith is a very, it's very personal. I pray for strength. I pray for wisdom. I pray for our troops in harm's way. I pray for my family. I pray for my little girls .But I'm mindful in a free society that people can worship if they want to or not. You're equally an American if you choose to worship an Almighty and if you choose not to. If you're a Christian, Jew or Muslim you're equally an American. That's the great thing about America is the right to worship the way you see fit. Prayer and religion sustain me. I receive calmness in the storms of the presidency.”
I honestly believe that religion is going to be a further part of our president’s rhetoric no matter what they believe. As Americans we should know and accept that. What a man believes is the reason why we vote for him to be our leader. If he chooses to I think that it should be ok for him or her to use religion in their rhetoric. No I endorse it. Yes there is such thing as separation between religion and state however there is nothing that says there should be a separation between a man of religious faith and working for the state. This country is about the people’s right first and foremost. The right to freedom of speech extends of political rhetoric contain religious quotations. We cannot and should not ever take that away or we will lose our ability to be called a truly free nation.
Places where I got the quotes
http://atheism.about.com/library/quotes/bl_q_GWashington.htm
http://thinkexist.com/quotes/john_adams/
http://nobeliefs.com/jefferson.htm
http://www.eadshome.com/Andrew%20Jackson.htm
http://www.talkjesus.com/lounge/22490-bible-quotes-famous-people.html
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Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that a president should have every right to talk about his religion. It is a free country and if this is an important and vital aspect of this persons life, then there should be no reason that the president, or those running for president, cannot speak of it. I do believe that people see these presidents as involving their religion in their governmental role sometimes, but not in the legislative sense that was outlawed so long ago. Maybe a Republican candidate is against abortion because he is Catholic, but that doesn't mean he is outlawing abortion because the Catholic Church wants him to. I just means that it is something that he disagrees with, and he wants to bring that into his candidacy and office if elected. Some people might think that if they are not religious, while running for president, they can be at a disadvantage, but this shouldnt be the case. If it is, then maybe someone who is not religious should not represent a country that is highly religious, and if the people do not vote for him for this reason, than it is not unfair.
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading a lot of blogs on political debates, I was glad to see one that was on religion. When I first wrote my blog, I had very little information based on religion but as we learned more about it in class, I wish I had written about religion instead. So I’m glad to have read yours!
The way you found quotes all the way from presidents of the past to show some of the changes we’ve seen since the foundation of our nation. The quote I enjoyed the most was the one from John Adams and his references to Jews and Hebrews because it showed the diversity of religion at the time, and its obvious diversity in religion has grown even more in today’s society.
You end your post saying there shouldn’t be a difference in religious faith and working for the state. Its obvious that many other people in the nation agree with you and that’s why such an emphasis is made, but I am curious what you think about candidates who have no affiliation, or rather lie about a religious belief just to be elected? Would you prefer that a candidate “pretend” to be a certain religion just to please people, but deep down inside he cares less? Or better yet, what if a person is extremely qualified but because they lack a belief in a religion, would that stop you from voting from them?
America is intended to be diverse, and while I agree that we should not limit someone because they are or AREN’T a certain religion, I believe religion is becoming less apparent. If the day comes that we have to chose between a person with no qualifications who is religious, or a person who is qualified but not religious, it will be interesting to see how the nation votes and the decisions we make.
Religion is not a factor for me when voting, I dont care if your catholic, atheist, buddhist, or have no affiliation. I feel that for a candidate to deserve and receive my vote, they need to have the right qualifications and similar attitudes on topics that I do. In terms of religious catholics voting for a president ONLY because they are catholic seems relatively racist to me. Thats like saying that every African American ONLY voted for President Obama because he was black. That just seems ridiculous and extremely un-responsible as a voter.
ReplyDeleteI feel that a lot of this has to do with the media coverage as well, they only cover things that causes drama and people want to hear about. News coverage of politics has come more and more like an issue of US weekly. Filled with unreliable and irrelevant information.
I truly don't feel that anyones vote should be influenced on religion. I think that in order to make an educated vote for a candidate you must know the facts on the issues and really get to the core of what each candidate stand for.
Lauren, I believe that you greatly touched on the issue, that principals are different than policy. Religion provides us with a set of principals that are fairly uniform and religious or not have become the popular principals of the western world. You do not have to be religious to identify with the principal, "though shall shall not disrespect thy elders." Also, in regards to separating biblical rhetoric from public address is both impossible and counter productive. The bible along with Shakespeare are two of the most important aspects to public address. The bible was the first document mass produced, it was the guiding set of principals and laws for hundreds of years. Today more than ever Americans identify with religion and attend church. However, with all that said, I do have a problem with Presidents openly relying on a voice in their head to make decisions. For the reason that mentally sain people do not hear voices in their head. Serial killers often site voices in their head telling them to do it, and for this reason I do not like the "decider" of our country using this tactic. Perhaps god does directly speak to people, but how would his voice be discernible from the voice of an impostor, because if you believe god can talk to you, you must also believe his antithesis (the devil) can also. However, I do believe a President should have strong principals embodied by religion and enjoyed and appreciated your blog.
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