Rhetorical Analysis Thesis Proposal

Thesis Proposal: Rhetorical Analysis

For my rhetorical analysis, I have decided to write on and analyze Frank R. Zindler’s “A Government in Thrall to Religion”.

In addition to Mr. Zindler being a biology and ecology professor, he is also one of the most prominent atheists in the US. “A Government in Thrall to Religion” was originally a speech, and was published in the American Atheist Magazine.

Some of Zindler's main arguments included:

• The need for a separation of church and state -- preachers/priests triumphed over constitution
• There must be a place put aside where science and learning can thrive, and won't be victims of religion
• He sees science as a great "benefactor, liberator, and secular savior", from the "dark and swelling tide of superstition, faith and ignorance" 
• Idea that, if the government relies upon a god, who can rely on the government for the world's problems ???
• Sees religion as wishful thinking
• Degrades Bush's credibility and rationality (believes he brought religious bias into the white house) -- as well as many others who are overly religious and ignorant 
• Cabinet made up of religious politicians
• ignored warnings of ecologists and scientists
• Doesn't believe in global warming
• Pulled funding from UN fund for population control
• EPA allows more pollution into rivers and lakes
• NASA discontinued remote sensing and environmental application projects

Rhetorical tools Zindler uses to achieve this:

- repetition (especially towards the end with "we must" phrases

- references to the Christian faith -- pulling blame on them, sympathizing with his followers and fellow atheist society, and degrading their credibility

- Logos - making logical statements, that, granted, are very biased, but does so in a manner in which he can successfully persuade those on the edge or who are unsure of Bush's presidency and legitimacy, as well as those who are not religious but a respecter of the current government organization and constitution

- Pathos - creates a sense of urgency towards the end of his speech, that this is a crucial time to bring complaints to Capitol Hill and push for a higher regard of science and less influence of religion

- Ethos - degrades George Bush's credibility, therefore making him seem more intelligible 

Sources

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Zindler

http://business.highbeam.com/3861/article-1G1-98780327/government-thrall-religion-speech-frank-r-zindler