Rhetoric

Today’s society revolves around individual’s ability to communicate their beliefs and ideals with others. Rhetoric is a class that is required as part of the College of General Studies’ core curriculum (a curriculum in which I am required to take this semester). Rhetoric is the act of using speech or written language in order to persuade another person. it allows us to convey our own opinions and to intelligently propose arguments and ideas we believe in.

My professor once said: “If people are good at rhetoric they do not say what they want to say; they say what other people need to hear.” Parallelling this concept, God, in many different ways, tells us what we need to hear and not what we want to hear. It is very easy for us to ask and receive; but, it is not easy for us to continue to ask even when we do not receive.

We should use this model in our own lives as well. Instead of pusillanimously telling half-truths or sugarcoating information, we should be forthright. It is our duty as congregation under the leadership of God to help those who need help around us; the greatest way for us to be able to do this is through the use of our words. We have a God given ability to conjure coherent and intellectual sentences. We need to use this ability to help those around us; and to stand up for whatever we believe is correct.

Rhetoric at it’s purest form is more complex than just black and white issues; however, the debates sprung from this rhetoric have a lasting impact on those around us. God has given us free choice, and the government has given us the right to freedom of speech. We must use this freedom to pick sides in important issues, and to share our opinions openly (even if others disagree with them). This is our civic duty both as a member of society and a member of God’s congregation.

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