Sen. Kerry talks about link between career, faith
Shocking - A MA newspaper has something positive to write about Senator Kerry. It seems that, after a week-end in the Emirates, Kerry gave an address to Gordon College.
I am generally not a big fan of these speeches (this is not something that would be acceptable in France, where faith does not mix well with public discourse), but I like what I am reading here.
The words "politics and religion" don't naturally conjure an image of a left-leaning senator from Massachusetts.
Nonetheless, U.S. Sen. John Kerry delivered an engaging and effective speech yesterday at Gordon College on how his Christian faith has informed his political career as a senior member of the U.S. Congress.
"I don't usually talk about faith. It's not something every audience wants to digest or is able to digest, but I believe the call of Jesus and every religious leader is the call to service," Kerry told a few hundred students, faculty and other onlookers as he delivered the inaugural Richard F. Gross Distinguished Lecture inside the chapel at the Christian college. "I like to think that my entire career is an extension of my faith."
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"I believe more and more with each trip I make to the Middle East, that there is much more we hold in common than that which divides us," said Kerry, who arrived in Wenham one day after meeting with foreign leaders in Dubai as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. "We don't have to agree on everything to get along, but we must agree that faith may be worth dying for, but not worth killing for."
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In a surprise hardball question at the end of the program, Gordon President Michael Lindsay asked Kerry how he reconciles his Christian faith with his support to allow women the choice to legally have an abortion.
"I passionately believe that courts and government should not be making that decision," Kerry said, even while adding that he thinks life begins at conception. "I don't think my faith is inconsistent at all with that. I believe it is inappropriate for me to make that decision for my wife, daughter or somebody else."
http://hamilton-wenham.patch.com/articles/kerry-brings-message-of-christian-tolerance-to-gordon-college
U.S. Sen. John Kerry made the inaugural address at the Richard L. Gross Distinguished Lecture Series at Gordon College in Wenham on Monday.
U.S. Sen. John Kerry, just off the airplane from a meeting with Muslim leaders in Dubai, told the students at Gordon College on Monday that there is more in all religions worldwide that unites rather than divides people of faith.
Kerry, a Democrat, said there are lots of pitfalls to debating faith issues during a presidential year, in a direct reference to the conservative Christian agenda that has dominated the last few Republican presidential primaries.
“The more I learn, the more I know that all religions live by universal values,” Kerry told students who packed the A.J. Gordon Memorial Chapel at the Christian college.
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Kerry, the decorated Navy veteran who opposed the Vietnam War, quoted St. Augustine in saying that war should never be waged except as a last resort and then with restraint.
“Faith may be worth dying for, but it is not worth killing for,” he said.
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= new reply since forum marked as read
...mention and a couple 'KONI' type references, it IS the same.
When he did the Pepperdine speech, the timing was just coming off an election cycle where he had been smeared...where opponents had defined him. That part was explanation for giving a speech on the topic of faith in public life. He had no reason to do that today.
But speaking of faith...honestly...is required to get beyond where our politics (and policies) are stuck. Evangelicals, purposefully or not, used their religion to political advantage in 2004 and 2008 and 2010. Dems needed an answer to that in 2004. They still do, and I think Senator Kerry is leading on this (thankfully).
Besides, he gave this speech on my birthday! 
Thanks, Senator! 
...for the birthday wishes.
You said, "It is ironic that where Kerry was advised by his advisers not to speak on religion, he is among the more religious Democrats. I don't know if it would have helped - it might have been that where some people said religion - they meant votes on abortion and gay rights.
I think JK is determined to change this...as he did in the speech...by giving examples from his faith of other demonstrations of religious choice. The GOP always frame religion to their advantage...abortion and gay rights. Those are the issues they want to be the 'voting issues' in any election because it increases their turnout. Dem Party framing...'creation care', treating one's brother with respect, etc...is what the Senator does in this speech.
In 2004, GOP framing was used (unfairly) to define Senator Kerry. If, in 2012, religion is framed in Democratic Party terms, that cannot happen to another candidate.
In addition to that, the GOP framing is very divisive for the country. By Democrats focusing on our common religious beliefs, it can help unifiy the country. That is badly needed, IMO.
...speech on this subject, I look forward to reading the speech in its entirety. That speech was one of his best, ever. If anyone has a video link, please share. 
Thanks, Mass...on my way out the door now, but I will read the article in full when I get home. 
...the part about students not having great respect or admiration was just not evident at Pepperdine. The attendance was phenomenal at the speech and the audience was very respectful, even during the Q and A which touched on very divisive subjects like immigration (in California yet).
There was apparently a pretty large Pepperdine Young Democratic Club, too, which gave him a beautiful reception and welcomed the Senator enthusiastically. It was like a 2004 election rally...great to see.
(Shoutout to kerrygoddess for inviting me! One of my favorite days...ever. )
Karynnj, I agree with your comments on just war. This speech really lays the foundation for such a discussion. And I agree that no one is more suited or prepared than Senator Kerry to lead that discussion. However, in the context of a Presidential election this year, I think it is likely that President Obama would lead that discussion. And it could, very likely, come up during the election as the GOP candidate tries to beat down Obama's FP successes as CIC.
Preceding THAT discussion with a debate on faith/politics would really set the stage...
JMHO.
...and was surprised at the support for the Senator.
I agree with your comments about a war policy debate. Do you remember all the times...when Senator Kerry was rallying young supporters (both in 2004 and later, when it seemed he might run again)...that Senator Kerry encouraged them to 'make your issues the voting issues' in the next campaign? I keep thinking about that and it seems that is what is happening. His issues...health care, sustainability for both the environment and the economy, and CHANGING what we do in war...are ALL the voting issues for 2012.
Health care...because the GOP wants to repeal "Obamacare" (hate that term).
Economy...because of the financial crisis, stark differences between DEMS and GOP have been made apparent.
Environment...still needs work, but XL pipeline debate and taxing oil is heating up the discussion.
War/Foreign Policy and our country's values...this speech lays out the foundation for that debate.
He IS a LEADER. 
including the Dem at the top, it's a reference that often appears in Obama's speeched. And in a way it synthesizes what being a liberal means. My mother (jewish, very liberal, even when having lefty ideas was very much frowned upon; she passed away less than a month ago 
) used to say that Jesus was a communist.
...your mom, Inuca. 
I am glad to hear Dems following JK's leadership on this. (As an aside...I keep wanting Obama to add 'He ain't Heavy, He's my Brother' by Neil Diamond to his playlist after his speeches. Shows my age... )
...for this. I, too, know the Hollies' version. ND is doing a concert in LA this August...another 'Hot, August Night'!
Edited to add...I saw him in concert twice. Once in the era of this version you posted, and again during the late 80's. This is the BEST.
...a lie.
...term 'lie' where it was mentioned that that word goes to the intent of the person making the misleading statement. In this case, FOX knew that JK never said those words, yet they fabricated this headline. They most definitely had the intent to mislead.
They lied.
...so much. I've been away to SD for a day or so, and just came home to see this. Will watch it tonight.