Entry #2

Lexie Buttle (1205040846)

Dr. Oshea

Eng 102

1/15/13

            Throughout Barack Obama’s speech on “the Connection between faith and politics” he used many manipulative tactics to grasp the audience and influence them to see his opinion in a brighter light. Not only does president Obama use pathos in his speech, he also uses ethos and logos. Barack starts off by going in to the depth of the character of his opponent of US Senator of Illinois back in 2004. He informs the audience that his opponent, Alan Keys, was an extremist. Also, using pathos, Keys tried to “persuade people to hate an enemy”(p41). Barack Obama connected the emotion of the religious impact while not going overboard.

            Furthermore, Barack Obama made a theme that “religion matters” throughout his speech by relating the influence of religion throughout his life and political career. “Just like writers mention their affiliation”, Obama mentions his Christianity background through a church in Chicago. By connecting his own beliefs and experiences to focus principles, Barack directs the attention of the audience to his character. He also touches base on important political figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr. to assert the idea that faith is the underlining guide in politics.  Barack Obama also shows respect for his audience by neither going “above nor below [the audiences] capabilities”(p62). In addition, the president provides facts and percentages of people who are believers in God, angels, and people who do not believe in any higher power. The president goes to the core of    cultural values and makes a strong argument using facts and logic.

                                                            Works Cited

Everything’s an Argument. Andrea A. Lunsford & John J. Ruskiewicz 5^th ed. Boston:                   

              For Bedford/St Martin’s 2010

The Connection Between Faith and Politics

In Barack Obamas speech of “the Connection between faith and politics” Barack speaks at the “Call to Renewal’s Building a Covenant for a New America” and opens his debate on the subject of religion by giving an example of his opponent for US senator of Illinois in 2004, Alan Keys, and how Keys used Barracks faith as ammunition for a personal attack. Alan Keys criticized Barack Obamas beliefs by stating that “Jesus would not vote for Barack Obama”.  Although Obama states that there is a fine separation between politics and faith, he also implies that with faith comes politics and vise versa. He continues his speech by relating the topic of faith and religion to his own personal experiences. Although he did not grow up with any certain religion, Barack Obama found a home in the Christian faith when he moved to Chicago. He gives examples that many politicians and freedom fighters have indeed acted on faith and faith alone to persuade people in to agreeing with their point of view. For instance, he connects to Lincolns Second Inaugural Address and Martin Luther King Jr’s “I Have a Dream” because both influential figures relate to God in their speeches. Furthermore, the president gives a percentage of American’s who believe in God, who are atheist, and who also struggle with their faith. Obama also states that that he does not want religion to “belittle or divide” any persons from what they believe in. Barack Obama concludes his speech by stating a personal prayer that he wishes all of us could live in peace with every faith and belief.