Varation in Point of View

            The world is viewed from several different points of view, as everyone’s experience in this world can vary among each individual. With this being said, these views often oppose one another through media exploitation of different sides of a story. Every story or event has two sides to consider when retelling the events in accurately describing what actually happened. Through this process, words take hold in alterations in their revision or simple misunderstanding of the proposed idea conveyed. The lack of accurately understanding a story from the written report can create a mass confusion of the true occurrences of an event and devise a hostile situation in which two sides argue their story is the correct one.               

Along with the misconstrued abilities of words is the interpretation of photography. They say a picture can say a thousand words, I find this to be true when the subjects displayed within the picture can be interpreted to hold several different meanings. Such tactics are used within the media, as they use only certain photographs to construe the events their story portrays. Therefore one picture may hold the purpose of relaying more than one story based upon its interpretation.

            The alternating stories or ideas that occur in response to written reports or photographs are due to the variation of interpretation by the individual. The inequality of the world causes this distinctive feature in the media. No one is the same, although there may be groups of similar people, the world is full of opposing opinions and views that will never see eye to eye.  The difference between every individual allows them to see the society and culture they live in with a unique eye. Therefore, the view of all individuals affects their response to their surrounding environment.

Outline for Research Paper: Religious Influence on U.S. Politics

        I.            Introduction

a.      Hook

b.      Thesis

      II.            Traditional Implications of Religion

a.      “In God We Trust” statement a later addition to U.S. practices

                                                              i.      First developed in Francis Scott Key’s Star Spangled Banner.

1.      Written during War of 1812

2.      It was first read In God is our trust, and was later changed in its addition to the monetary system.

                                                            ii.      Added to coins 1864

                                                          iii.      Added to paper money 1957

 

b.      “Under God” added to pledge in 1954

                                                              i.      This bill was signed into law by President Eisenhower

c.       “So help me God” added suffix to oaths of offices for federal justices and judges

                                                              i.      Was first recited by President Arthur in 1881

d.      National Day of Prayer

                                                              i.      First call to prayer in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new nation.

                                                            ii.      Harry S. Truman declared a National Day of Prayer in 1952 and signed a law of its annual observance.

                                                          iii.      In 1988, Ronald Reagan signed into law the designation of every first Thursday in May as the National Day of Prayer.

    III.            Religious influence on elected officials  

a.      The religious status of running candidates has always played a part in gaining voter support.

b.      Data of election results reveal the differences between candidates’ votes due to their religious status and viewpoints.

c.       Most recent event being the Presidency of George Bush and his command during the Iraq and Afghan wars.

                                                              i.      Reveals pressure between nations of conflicting religions, which have been evident for centuries.

                                                            ii.      Following the attack on America on 9/11 and the rise in immigration of Muslim believers, the tension between the “Christian Nation” and Islamic countries has increased due to challenges of the American policy of religious toleration.

    IV.            Traditional values challenged along with freedom of religion

a.      U.S. motto challenged in 2001, when a school in Mississippi wanted to place plaques in every classroom with “In God We Trust” inscribed on them.

b.      In 2007, Obama makes the statement in an interview that the U.S. is not a Christian nation due to its policy of religious toleration.

c.       21^st National Day of Prayer at the White House canceled in 2010 by President Obama under the excuse of not wanting to offend anyone.

                                                              i.      On September 25, 2009 the first day of national prayer for the Muslim religion was held on Capitol Hill.

d.       On July 15, 2011 the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida ordered the removal of a monument of the Ten Commandments from the courthouse steps.

e.       The cross found in the rumble of the world trade center was asked to be removed from its place along ground zero due to its offensiveness of favoring Christianity.

f.        The plan for a proposed mosque was to be built on the site of ground zero, the area the U.S. was attacked by Islamic terrorists. Needless to say this first attempt failed due to public outrage; although the Islamic believers behind the building are persistent such a building will eventually rise in America.

      V.            Conclusion

a.      Final argument and point will be given in accordance with ending focus from last paragraph. The final argument being that the once great “Christian Nation” has failed to defend its values and rights in allowing its recent enemy to invade the homeland and begin to invoke their influence. Their goal is simple in forcing the observance of the Islamic religion alone and silencing all other religions.

b.      End paper with final note following the revelation of the true motives behind such actions as the mosque at ground zero and the observance of a national day of prayer for the Muslim religion. The final note being that if the U.S. continues to allow such influences to push their way into controlling the Political structure, then this once great nation will soon fall due to its failure in affirming its policies and backing them up.

Annotated Bibliography

Adler, Margot . "Developer: Plans For N.Y. Mosque Moving Forward." NPR. NPR, May 5, 2011.                Web. 18 Oct 2011. <http://www.npr.org/2011/05/05/135951856/developer-plans-for-       n-y-mosque-moving-forward>.

This article is a report of the proposed plan to build a mosque on ground zero of the 9/11 attack. In a brief summary of the past events in response to the widely acclaimed controversial plan, Adler shows the confusion throughout the media and public as the plan was only a proposed design that was not yet decided upon its construction. Since the outbreak of the media overload in showing its disapproval of such a building being built on the site of ground zero, many of the investors and individuals involved no longer are a part of the proposed design. As of now, developer Sharif El-Gamal is the only one involved in attempting to find investors to build such a design, in which he is confident will evolve in later years to come.

Fournier, Keith. "Federal Court Orders Ten Commandments Removed From Florida         Courthouse." Catholic Online. Catholic Online, 7/24/2011. Web. 18 Oct 2011.       <http://www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=42127>.

This article reflects the response to the event in which a stone monument depicting the Ten Commandments was ordered on July 15, 2011 by the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida to be removed in the case entitled ACLU of Florida Inc. v. Dixie County Florida. The court backs up its actions by use of the establishment clause, in which anything that is not considered to be secular is to be removed from sight. The use of this clause has been used to scrub the public square of all religious expression and symbols, and is direct contradiction of founding documents and threatens our freedom of religion.

"Fox News figures outraged over Obama's "Christian nation" comment." Media Matters For       America. Media Matters For America, 04/09/2009. Web. 18 Oct 2011.         <http://mediamatters.org/research/200904090033>.

This article seeks to report the statement made by Obama recalling the state of America’s freedom of religion in which he states the nation is not a Christian nation. This statement sought oppression from several angles as the title of being a Christian nation was a long since excepted status of the U.S. despite its toleration of religious freedom. Obama had sought to take a secular approach to such American views and policies, that has been an evident part in his role in government.

Gano, Ray, and Trayce Gano. "September 25, 2009 Islamic Day of Prayer at the White House ."              Right Side News. Right Side Publications, LLC, 09/20/2009. Web. 18 Oct 2011.             <http://www.rightsidenews.com/200909206498/us/islam-in-america/september-25-       2009-islamic-day-of-prayer-at-the-white-house.html>.

This article is written by a concerned Christian who sees the creation of a national day of prayer for the Muslims to be an invasion of our country. This is due to its creation following Obama’s declaration that the U.S. is no longer a Christian nation and his cancelation of the traditional national day of prayer, in order to not offend anyone. Gano sees these events as an invasion by the Muslims as America grows weaker to their advances, and seeks to back up his views with several scriptures cited from the bible.

Higgins, Heather M. "'Ground Zero Mosque' moving forward." CNN. Cable News Network, 2010.                        Web. 18 Oct 2011. <http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/10/ground-zero-mosque-       moving-forward/>.

This article seeks to explain the motives of Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf behind his push for the building of a mosque on the site of ground zero. In his argument, Imam explains his involvement in the project is to achieve his goal of building an American Muslim identity and enhancing multi-faith dialogue. The proposed building is composed as a Cordoba House, which is building designed in the purpose of Islamic worship. Due to the American policy of religious freedom, Imam is optimistic about the future of the building.

"History of the National Day of Prayer." National Day of Prayer. National Day of Prayer Task       Force, 2011. Web. 18 Oct 2011. <http://nationaldayofprayer.org/about/history/>.

This article’s focus is to provide factual evidence of the history of prayer within the foundation of the U.S. nation and throughout the following years. The dependence on prayer became a national tradition following the first call to prayer in 1775 when the Continental Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a new nation. Since then various presidents have made proclamations for the observance of a national day of prayer.

"'In God We Trust' law stirs controversy." CNN U.S.. March 26, 2001: n. page. Web. 18 Oct.         2011. <http://articles.cnn.com/2001-03-26/us/in.god.trust_1_law-official-motto-           church-and-state?_s=PM:US>.

This article reviews the event in 2001 of the implication of a state law in Mississippi to require a plaque reading “In God We Trust” to be placed in classrooms. The law had passed legislature and was signed by Governor Ronnie Musgrove. The controversy of the law was due to Jane Hicks’, Mississippi American Civil Liberties Union board member, opposition to the law in which she states violates the U.S. Constitution. Her fight against this law was due to the principles of separation of church and state in the constitution and the violation of the government’s favor or sponsor of religion.

Jenkins, Salley. "9/11 memorials: The story of the cross at Ground Zero." The Washington Post.   The Washington Post, 09/08/2011. Web. 18 Oct 2011.            <http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/911-memorials-the-story-of-the-cross-at-           ground-zero/2011/09/07/gIQA2mMXDK_story.html>.

This article seeks to report the event following the attack on 9/11 in the cleanup at ground zero, in which a cross shaped object had been found. The cross had been formed by two metal cross beams that had been welded together. The structure was asked by Father Brian to be removed from the wreckage and placed as a monument at ground zero in remembrance of the loved ones who had been lost in the attack on America. The structure’s resemblance to faith in God and movement to be kept as a monument sought oppression from atheist who fought this action as a government portrayal of favor to one religion.

Leege, David C., and Lyman A. Kellstedt. Rediscovering the Religious Factors in American                        Politics. Armonk, NY: M.E. Sharpe. Inc., 1993. Web.   <http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=txwoD1TaURsC&oi=fnd&pg=PR7&dq=r         eligion in politics in US&ots=tOIXXYUgQ7&sig=A_qhDiYhiHey3F6q8nN9rUgbzv0

The article evaluates the reoccuring theme of religious impact on on politics as their religious beliefs greatly affect their outcome in the polls of an election. Many presidents religion has varied among the different sects of christianity and few have served in this position without religious influence. In general religion matters to the public and therefore has affected politics.

Patrikios, Stratos. American Republican Religion? Disentangling the. 30. Glasgow, UK: Springer   Science Business Media, LLC, 2008. 367–389. Web.     <http://www.springerlink.com/content/xg007x51m88k3774/abstract/>.

The article seeks to exam the existence of a religious link between evangelical Protestants and Republican Party. The general purpose of the article is to question whether future politics will eventually constrain religious behavior as religion plays a clear role in politics. The idea of religious freedom and the practice of the U.S. government not favoring to one religion is challenged with clear examples of the religious influence on U.S. politics.

Putnam, Robert D. , David E. Campbell, and Shaylyn Romney Garrett. American Grace: How                   Religion Divides and Unites Us. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2010. Web.          <http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=n318r17VWCMC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=        religion in politics in US&ots=rT17-NV4vo&sig=EF-vu5vK5eN6Q1MelOfOGkC3cxk

The article evaluates the evidence of religion throughout the structure of our government and questions the government establishment of religion. Various issues arose only recently within the Supreme Court to change traditional religious practices within the government due to its offense of foreign religions. The article also evaluates the influence of religion in greatly affecting the outcome of elections.

Robinson, B.A. "The U.S. National Mottos: ." Religious Tolerance. Ontario Consultants on             Religious Tolerance, 10/14/08. Web. 18 Oct 2011.       <http://www.religioustolerance.org/nat_mott.htm>.

This article evaluates the U.S. adoption of the motto “In God We Trust” which is commonly seen throughout the monetary system, being placed on both coins and treasury notes. The motto was not originally a traditional mark in the U.S. until 1864 following Francis Scott Key’s star spangled banner was written during the war of 1812, in which one of his lines reads, “In God is our Trust.” The line was shortened and added to coins in 1864, and later to treasury notes in 1956. The addition of the motto to the monetary system is not constitutional, but is not found to be a government endorsement of a particular religion and has for then declared to be constitutional.

Wald, Kenneth D., and Allison Calhoun-Brown. Religion and Politics in the United States. 5th.      Oxford: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2007. Web.       <http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=hSwLzxA1BfQC&oi=fnd&pg=PR10&dq=         religion in politics in US&ots=ocf9c0sV_H&sig=Ji5x3LwMqqeZthsDHJoUoPTMa24

The article evaluates the religious influence on the U.S. nation’s recent wars with the Muslim nations following the attack on America well known as 9/11. The article analyzes the effect religion played on President Bush's terms in power along with the war that evolved between "the Christian Nation" and the Muslim idols.

Cited Pictures

Arnold, Johann Christoph. "The Cross and Resurrection at Ground Zero ." Catholic Planet. Johann             Christoph Arnold, 2002. Web. 18 Oct 2011.                <http://www.catholicplanet.com/articles/article33.htm>.

Rickey, David. "In God we trust? A new decade for building trust." Soul's Code. Soul's Code, 2011. Web.                18 Oct 2011. <http://www.soulscode.com/in-god-we-trust/>.

"Ten commandments, 'Love God' monument triggers court fight." USA Today. The Associated Press,     08/11/2011. Web. 18 Oct 2011. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2011-08-11-Ten-            Commandments-God-court_n.htm>.