The Buddha was no politician, but he could offer some stability to the flux of this presidential primary season. Specifically, four of his words come to mind: walk the middle path. No, not the path between materialism and nihilism, but rather that which lies between the politically catastrophic extremes of sectarianism and agnosticism.
Religion is an intellectual minefield, especially when it permeates global political affairs. And unfortunately for the candidates, religion remains a crucial "x-factor" in this upcoming election. Americans as a bloc are religious, yet we demand the separation of church and state. The candidate who best navigates this no man's land may end up its leader.
Thus far, Senator Barack Obama is that candidate. While campaigning recently, he has utilized the poignancy of religious imagery without sending a divisive message.
Why has only one candidate realized how to hit the potent, proverbial nail of religion into the malleable heads of American voters? Did only one candidate take a writing course as an undergraduate?
Obama uses the simplest rhetorical tool for his success. I learned it as "the first rule of writing" -- first from mother, then my high school teacher and finally from Nancy Crumbine, my "Writing and Speaking Public Policy" professor.
The first rule of writing: show, don't tell. Don't tell readers or listeners an idea; show them with a specific example.
In a speech honoring the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday this past Sunday in Atlanta, Obama began with "the Scripture tells us" and proceeded to summarize the Biblical story of Jericho. He then transitioned, sermon-like, into a discussion of King and the Civil Rights Movement.
It was a conspicuous move taken directly from King's own rhetorical playbook -- the use of religious imagery as a medium for a universal, positive message. Tearing down the walls of Jericho, as Obama would have it, required a powerful amalgamation of inspired individuals, akin to what is needed to transform America today.
Obama did not mention his personal faith. He did not allude to the literal impact faith would or would not have on his policies nor did he ignore the elephant in the room.
This is a far cry from the other leading candidates, who tread perilously on the fringes of moderate political rhetoric. Sectarianism and atheism, respectively, eagerly await the next misstep.
On the same day, Hillary Clinton gave a speech that also employed Civil Rights Movement imagery. She avoided religious references, however, despite the fact that her address was sandwiched between two speeches from ministers. However, she did use the colloquial "God Bless You," as has John McCain in his similarly straight-shooting, technocratic speeches.
The other Republican front-runners, Governors Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee, are flirting with the sectarianism that (rightfully) terrifies many voters. Huckabee is an evangelist and Romney a Mormon. Both tend to speak about "strong families" (opposing abortion, gay marriage, etc.) with religion as justification.
In December, Romney gave a speech directly addressing his oft-questioned Mormon faith. It was dubbed a turning point in his campaign -- his own "Kennedy moment" as the press would have it, evoking Kennedy's famous address of his (gasp!) Catholicism.
But Romney missed the point. Because religion permeates world affairs, Americans don't want to be "told" that religion won't influence him -- mostly because it obviously would -- but also because Americans don't necessarily want completely secular candidates. They just want a church-free state. The Religious Right speaks about the morals and family values that religion instills, yet they have failed to sell it to much of the country.
Conversely, Obama has "showed" voters his grasp of the textual pillars of our culture. He draws from stories that have long motivated Americans, rather than using specific textual interpretations made by organized religious sects.
This is the type of religion that anyone -- Christian, Muslim, Jew, Agnostic, Atheist -- can appreciate; it showcases an awe for the human spirit. It is an awe that is universally understood, but one that we mustn't be told to remember. We need to be shown.
