Obama begins his speech by recognizing his audience and addressing how important the topic of discussion is to them. He goes on to discuss how we live in a "pluralistic society" and many more then one set of believes that are expressed by American citizens. Obama stresses that it is important that we allow people the liberty to practice religions as they please. He goes on to talk about the role religious views play and have played in politics in the United States and how religion is a main dividing factor of political parties and believes. Obama speaks about the reason people seek God: to feel as though you're life may have an intended direction and that they have someone looking out for them. He emphasizes that religion is a personal decision with a story about his journey to Faith. With each person choosing to be spiritual in different ways, this can often lead to undesired conflicts on the details of moral issues instead of resolving the issues and keeping person religious views separate. He talks about cleaning up the crime and violence of America by trying to improve the quality of life for each citizen, encouraging them to do morally good things and be guided by faith. He mentions the charitable things churches do and poses the question, "how do we build on these still-tentative partnerships between religious and secular people of good will?" If they were to work together imagine the good that would come. Obama stresses that religious people with good intentions in politics need to translate their points they are making away from religious diction and instead say it in a way that is agreeable to all belief groups. Obama sums up his speech with a comparison to the story of Abraham and Isaac that reinforces his previous statement that religion is a personal thing that everyone must come to realize on their own. He ends sharing his prayer that Americans one day can reconcile their believes for the good of all.
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Obama concedes to the audience, expressing that he finds their passion for this topic admirable and he understands how much time and energy they put into their cause.
He shows that he has received false accusations of not being religious that upset him simply because they were not true. He claimed his opponent said, "Jesus Christ would not vote for Barack Obama." He is using an extreme example to connect with the people who find him to be an honorable religious man. He uses pathos to key into their emotions and connect with their soft side for a fellow spiritual person. By doing this he has established ethos, or a credibility with the group, appearing to see eye to eye with them. Both of the following quotes also exhibit these ideas:
"..he claimed to speak for my religion, and my God"
"And I speak with some experience on this matter.."
"Now, my dilemma was by no means unique"
One of Obama's final stories is a great comparison that the people there, who knew the bible could relate with. Obama says, We all know the story of Abraham and Isaac.." making himself seem like he is well versed in the bible as well.
