2008 Woodie Awards
A time for revival, a time for renewal
Eric Magazu, Collegian Columnist
Issue date: 9/8/08 Section: Editorial / Opinion
John McCain's convention speech, delivered last Thursday, was similar to the speeches of other prominent Republicans of recent memory. He echoed many familiar Republican themes. He spoke of lower taxes and spending, pledged to veto pork barrel projects and promised more choices in the delivery of public services. Other national Republican leaders spoke repeatedly of the necessity of electing a Republican to keep the American people safe in a "dangerous world."
Many of these speeches spoke highly of the faith of the American people, without ever being too precise. Perhaps they were referring to the civic religion of Judeochristianity, a religion that seems only to exist among top-ranked, Republican politicians. I personally have not been acquainted with any Judeochristians in my life. In our own Massachusetts, especially here at UMass, it's a rare occurrence to find anyone with deeply-held religious convictions of any form; therefore, this apparent vagueness of Republican politicians is comforting.
It appears to me that John McCain didn't provide a strong vision as a basis for an American to embrace his campaign. He spoke platitudes expressing a love for our country, "the greatest country on Earth." He also spoke of the "decency, faith, wisdom, justice and goodness" of the American people. These words are politely received; it's certainly true that the American people are a decent lot.
Perhaps I should be used to this from politicians, but to me it's dishonest for a candidate to make such obsequious statements. I applaud John McCain for concluding by exhorting us to serve a cause greater than ourselves, but what is truly needed in America is a plenipotent religious and national renewal.
This renewal would entail a return to the principles of our wise, pious forefathers, who founded this nation, but more importantly, a return to the ideals that were implanted upon us at the establishment of humanity.
Despite what we are taught in our schools, the separation of religious and national aspirations is an abhorrent ideological fallacy of recent origin. America allows for diverse expressions of religious sentiments, which is good, but if religion expresses the covenant, the solemn agreement, between God and man and nation expresses the covenant between man and man, in the end, these ends are both one in the establishment of a civilization rooted in truth and justice.
Many of these speeches spoke highly of the faith of the American people, without ever being too precise. Perhaps they were referring to the civic religion of Judeochristianity, a religion that seems only to exist among top-ranked, Republican politicians. I personally have not been acquainted with any Judeochristians in my life. In our own Massachusetts, especially here at UMass, it's a rare occurrence to find anyone with deeply-held religious convictions of any form; therefore, this apparent vagueness of Republican politicians is comforting.
It appears to me that John McCain didn't provide a strong vision as a basis for an American to embrace his campaign. He spoke platitudes expressing a love for our country, "the greatest country on Earth." He also spoke of the "decency, faith, wisdom, justice and goodness" of the American people. These words are politely received; it's certainly true that the American people are a decent lot.
Perhaps I should be used to this from politicians, but to me it's dishonest for a candidate to make such obsequious statements. I applaud John McCain for concluding by exhorting us to serve a cause greater than ourselves, but what is truly needed in America is a plenipotent religious and national renewal.
This renewal would entail a return to the principles of our wise, pious forefathers, who founded this nation, but more importantly, a return to the ideals that were implanted upon us at the establishment of humanity.
Despite what we are taught in our schools, the separation of religious and national aspirations is an abhorrent ideological fallacy of recent origin. America allows for diverse expressions of religious sentiments, which is good, but if religion expresses the covenant, the solemn agreement, between God and man and nation expresses the covenant between man and man, in the end, these ends are both one in the establishment of a civilization rooted in truth and justice.
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