The essay that I will be summarizing is called Faith, Truth, and Tolerance In America. The author of this essay is Edward Moore Ted Kennedy. The thesis of this essay is Kennedy’s beliefs about faith and country, tolerance and truth in America. Kennedy first point has to deal with the intolerance of religions and how we are all Americans and need to work together as one. Kennedy states in his essay ” When people agree on public policy, they ought to be able to work together, even while they worship in diverse ways ”. Kennedy saw that as individual freedom and mutual respect between civilians. You can work together but still have your freedom to believe in your own diverse way. Kennedy wanted tolerance for all religions and that we should all accept each other. Kennedy believes that we as people have the power to welcome in religion and use it when it is appropriate. Kennedy’s second point is that we are all aware of the truth, but who actually knows the truth. Kennedy states, “ I believe there surely is such a thing as truth, but who among us can claim a monopoly on It. ”. Know one knows the truth but we all have the freedom to believe in what we want, but still be accepted in society. Kennedy believes that there is a lot of intolerance for other religious values and that it should change for the better …show more content…
of our county. Kennedy’s third point was that he believed religious values weren’t always excluded from public issues, but that not every public issue had to deal with religious values, and that when the values are to be denied in the name of religion it is wrong.
Kennedy states, “ We are sometimes told that it is wrong to feed the hungry ”. With that example Kennedy saw that as denying values in public issues that involved religious beliefs. Kennedy states “ That mission is an explicit mandate given to us in the 25th chapter of Matthew ”. Feeding the hunger is the right thing to do according to our beliefs, which makes it wrong for us to be denied those religious
values. Kennedy’s message is to welcome in all religious values and to not judge anyone upon their beliefs. Kennedy believed that we as people have the power to use religion within our government in a manner in which is acceptable. Kennedy wants freedom for all religions and for everyone to work together, and still have your freedom. “ I hope for an America where we can all contend freely and vigorously, but where we will treasure and guard those standards of civility which alone makes this nation safe for both democracy and diversity. Religion does not harm us but can only help us be who we are today.
A young man sits solemnly at a desk in front of a wall full of books, holding eye contact with the camera for the briefest of moments before lowering his eyes to the papers before him and beginning his speech. The young man is Ted Kennedy, and the speech he is about to share with the camera and with his viewers will come to be known as the Chappaquiddick speech. Following the car crash that claimed the life of Mary Jo Kopechne, and the court cases, the speech was intended to tell Kennedy's side of the story. He wished to explain his actions to the nation and to seek forgiveness from his people. The speech was televised at 7:30 pm on July 25, 1969, broadcast live from Kennedy's father's library, and reached the roughly 96% of American homes with televisions.
I like that Moore is not hesitant to express thoughtful criticisms about the pretensions of the church and the undemocratic ways that Protestants have sometimes attempted to dominate American society. His commentary stimulates constructive discussions about what should and should not be the proper role of Christianity, especially Protestantism, in a religiously pluralistic culture that has constitutional guarantees for religious freedom and the separation of church and state.
He insisted that the American people should go beyond their differences and to think of “today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom” (3). Kennedy urged the people to celebrate the history of their nation and embrace the future as a united people as he declared that “we are the heirs of that first revolution” (10). A nation and people that were “tempered by war” and “disciplined by a hard and bitter peace” both recognize the importance of American history and
“If a free society can not help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”(Kennedy, 1961) Statements such as these demonstrate how Kennedy appealed to the citizens by simply using reason. The use of logos in his speech was minimal compared to the use of pathos, and ethos.
Kennedy was elected president in the year of 1961. Which was during the time that the Cold War was in full swing. The Cold War being the tension filled era between the superpowers in the east and the superpowers in the west. Contrary to the other two presidents, JFK was not speaking to the American public at the time of the war 's conclusion but right near the middle of the 40 plus year issue. Regardless he was assuring the public. He stated, “...that the torch has been passed to a new generation of American-”. That optimism cannot be matched. Even at the darkest of times could he stand up there, the president of the United States, and tell the young people of America that their time is now. Not only that but he attempts to inspire Americans when he says “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”, which was definitely a knock at the Russians. JFK overall had this persona about him. This was the speech where muttered that historic and uplifting quote, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” His message of peace and coexisting really stand the test of
...commitments and his plan. By reiterating common knowledge, Kennedy has his audience reflect on known fact in order to drive his message home.
But the point is we need to keep reminding each other and never forget about it. We need to repeat this so much that when we hear it again we have it memorized and we have no doubt about it. Kennedy used this to support his claim and put the nation as a whole to do things together and never be in doubt of their goals and have the common knowledge set in mind. So when you look over to the inaugural speech there is no doubt that the usage of ethos was on point. His morals about religion and doing stuff that led to the right way became very keen. “ With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth and to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.” (Kennedy, 1961) Kennedy always saw the belief the people had in him. Everyone looked up on the family to see what they were doing and tried to do whatever they were doing. He acknowledged all the things he had to do and made it pretty clear that he received good respect from his voters. He gave power to the people. When people looked up on him they saw how much he cared. When the Vietnam War was heating up he tried his very best to keep his words very straightforward and honest. He used pathos in his speech through the usage of the phrases, “ a celebration of freedom,” and, “ forge against these enemies.” By using these phrases, instead of making the war a task for the people, he made it out as saving the country for the people and for their kids. It wasn’t just a "go and fight," but more of a "go, win, and when you come back enjoy what you have accomplished." “ Ask not what your country can do for you but ask what you can do for your country.” (Kennedy, 1961) This quote by itself has showed up in textbooks, general literature, and other writings probably more than any of the
Factual references to the Cold War, including the burden of the cost of modern weapons, the spread of nuclear weapons, and the threat of a nuclear war also sent a message to the Soviet Union to encourage them to join with the United States to solve common problems. Kennedy also made another strong ethical appeal to the world audience when he said, “To those people in huts and villages of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves” (JFK’s Inaugural Address). The audience needed to understand that signs of kindness, respect, and civility were not weakness but were signs of the world becoming more prosperous. Without the help of all nations, adversaries or not, the goals and purposes would not be
Brinkley covers Kennedy’s family, upbringing and education, noting the importance that publication of his Harvard thesis played in making a name for him, enabling him (along with his family’s money) to win a seat in Congress in 1946. Kennedy had a difficult life with illness to many hardships during his presidency. Many were overcome, daunting his future decisions. America loved Kennedy because of he was young and dynamic with a mission and purpose. Even though he was indecisive and had a slow approach, his decisions made a great impact. After his death the view of Kennedy had many uncompleted goals and tasks he wanted done for America.
With sounds of youthful laughter, conversations about the students’ weekends, and the shuffling of college ruled paper; students file into their classrooms and find their seats on a typical Monday morning. As the announcements travel throughout the school’s intercoms, the usual “Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance” becomes no longer usual but rather puzzling to some students. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.” Confusion passes through some of the student’s minds. With the reoccurrence of “God” in the backdrop of American life, the relationship between church and state has become of little to no matter for American citizens just as it has with American students. While congress makes no law respecting an establishment of religion, the term “freedom of religion” presents itself to no longer be the definition of “free”, while also having its effects on debates today. According to Burt Rieff, in Conflicting Rights and Religious Liberty, “Parents, school officials, politicians, and religious leaders entered the battle over defining the relationship between church and state, transforming constitutional issues into political, religious, and cultural debates” (Rieff). Throughout the 20th century, many have forgotten the meaning of religion and what its effects are on the people of today. With the nonconformist society in today’s culture, religion has placed itself in a category of insignificance. With the many controversies of the world, religion is at a stand still, and is proven to not be as important as it was in the past. Though the United States government is based on separation of church and state, the gover...
Kennedy uses refrences from past events in history to emphasize his point of taking a risk and trying something new, and inspiring his audience. An event from 1630 is used in JFK’s speech as an allusion to make the reader feel a sense of , “William Bradford, speaking in 1630 of the founding of the Plymouth Bay Colony, said that all great and honorable actions are accompanied with great difficulties, and both must be enterprised and overcome with answerable courage” (Kennedy 2). He is proving that after all the hard work, it is succesful and worth it. William Bradford created a colony by the devotion and hard work. Kennedy is relating himself and the country to Bradford, showing the audience that it is possible. Using an example from history makes the audience more committed to landing on the moon when they think the probability for success is high. It gives off the encouraging thought of, “if they did it, we can do it”, which is exactly what JFK was trying to succeed. Kennedy also uses an allusion to exaggerate to sudden change in tecchnology and show how advanced this country...
The way logos were used in his speech greatly assured the public that action needed to be taken immediately. He provided both reasoning and logic to better forward his point that a change needed to be made. One area specifically he states, “The Negro baby born in America today, regardless of the section of the state in which he is born, has about one-half as much chance of completing high school”. The statistics that John F Kennedy provides seriously strengthen his argument, with logic and statistics to back up his argument it creates a stronger pull. John F. Kennedy also makes the statement “.about one-seventh as much chance of earning $10,000 a year,” showing the difference in wages between African Americans and Caucasians.... ...
... Americans are so happy in this country. Freedom is was what this country was founded on and he wanted to spread it to the world. Ethos is quite simple in his speech. John F. Kennedy is obviously a smart, brilliant man that became president. He wouldn’t be where he was if he wasn’t those things, there American people would not have elected him to office.
In his Inaugural Address he said, that he would bear any burden, pay any price, and the hardship, to oppose any foe and success of liberty(Kennedy.5). This meant that he was to do as much as he possibly could to ensure and spread freedom around the world. Because European countries wanted a communist country which was to have all of your property owned not by you but everyone. Since there was no freedom or constitution Kennedy’s wasn’t going to approve of this idea. President Kennedy also stated, “...those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.” (Kennedy.8). He stated something very powerful with how the Nuclear attacks were occurring then that he said, that people who want power and use force will be destroyed before he can control
Just as there is a variety of identities involving race, gender, and class, so too are there a range of religious identities. Byzantine Catholics, Hindus, born-again Evangelicals, atheists, agnostics, and Buddhists are only a few religious identities I have encountered in America. This environment, at best, allows religious variety to be understood and embraced—and at worst, divides us. In Acts of Faith, author Eboo Patel discusses his belief that the “faith line” will define conflict and concord in the 21st century.