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 weapon, the use of God's name on one's behalf should be used sparingly.”
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.
Respect differing faiths and avoid weaponizing religion.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Political debates
- interfaith discussions
- public policy formation
- media commentary
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we discuss moral issues without invoking divine authority?
- When is it appropriate to reference faith in public debate?
Overreliance on religious arguments can alienate audiences and stifle rational discourse.