In Mitt Romney’s speech “Faith In America”, Romney elaborates to his audience his support of
religious liberty and freedom in the United States as well as offering
perspective on his own faith and its role it would have in his potential
Presidency. Romney emphasizes that his own faith shares core American
values, and that he commits to the LDS faith and intends to live the principles
taught. He assures his audience –religious peoples of America as well as his
skeptics – that religious authorities or institutions would have an influence
on presidential decisions.
Romney uses ethos
as the core of his argument – as a presidential candidate, he was trying to
prove why he was credited to be president, and what good things he would
emphasize during his term. One of his main points is that a presidential
candidate should not become a spokesman for his faith, as he would need the
support of all diverse faiths in the country. He made clear to his audience,
that as past governor of Massachusetts, he did not confuse teachings of his
church with his obligations of his office and the Constitutions – thus, he
provided his audience with the knowledge that he would have the same type and
honor of commitment in his Presidential office.
Pathos can be found in Romney’s patriotic statements and
emphasis on American liberty and essential until. Romney stated in his speech
that we are all similar in that we are part of the human family, and children
of God. He used this statement to portray the responsibility and obligation for
one another and for the gift of Liberty. He reminds the audience of the
thousands of lives of Americans that were sacrificed for this purpose and to
protect their freedom. With this, he again emphasizes that his religious holds
these same values dear, and that he intends to protect these rights and
freedoms. By including the memory of those who fought for freedom, Romney
guided his audience to realize the importance of protecting their freedoms, and
thus increased his credibility.
The
emphasis on the unity between various religions in America outlines the usage
of Logos in Romney’s discussion. Romney
emphasizes that though diverse in theology, the religious peoples of America have
been united in the cause of protecting moral principles, equality, and liberty.
He related the examples of the causes of abolition and civil rights to
emphasize this. Romney uses logos to a further extent in his discussion of the
separation of church and state. He explains how the notion of this has been
adapted from its original meaning. The establishment of America was done so
with the words “Under God”, and thus it was not intended to eliminate religion
from the public. Therefore his argument that religion is not merely a private
affair with no place in public life is justified – though separate, religious
and political spheres continue to support common values, and one or the other
should not be disregarded.
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