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Allies Quote by Barry Goldwater

“On religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this Supreme Being. But like any powerful…” quote by Barry Goldwater
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“On religious issues there can be little or no compromise. There is no position on which people are so immovable as their religious beliefs. There is no more powerful ally one can claim in a debate than Jesus Christ, or God, or Allah, or whatever one calls this Supreme Being. But like any powerful weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used sparingly.”

Barry Goldwater

About This Quote

Source Speech: 1964 Presidential Campaign, United States

Religious convictions are deeply entrenched and rarely yield to compromise; invoking divine authority in debate should be cautious and limited.

In simple terms: Religious beliefs are hard to change; use divine references sparingly.

Key Takeaway

Respect differing faiths and avoid weaponizing religion.

Themes

faith politics dialogue ethics power

Mood

thoughtful serious reflective

Type

political ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • Political debates
  • interfaith discussions
  • public policy formation
  • media commentary

Key Concepts

Secularism Rhetoric Moral authority

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we discuss moral issues without invoking divine authority?
  • When is it appropriate to reference faith in public debate?
A Different Perspective

Overreliance on religious arguments can alienate audiences and stifle rational discourse.

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