TruthandToleranceinAmerica
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TruthandToleranceinAmerica
Edward M. Kennedy: Truth and Tolerance in America
Thank you very much Professor Kombay for that
generous introduction. And let me say, that I never
expected to hear such kind words from Dr. Falwell. So in
return, I have an invitation of my own. On January 20th,
1985, I hope Dr. Falwell will say a prayer at the
inauguration of the next Democratic President of the
United States. Now, Dr. Falwell, I’m not exactly sure
how you feel about that. You might not appreciate the
President, but the Democrats certainly would appreciate
the prayer.
Actually, a number of people in Washington were
surprised that I was invited to speak here -- and even
more surprised when I accepted the invitation. They seem
to think that it’s easier for a camel to pass through
the eye of the needle than for a Kennedy to come to the
campus of Liberty Baptist College. In honor of our
meeting, I have asked Dr. Falwell, as your Chancellor, to
permit all the students an extra hour next Saturday night
before curfew. And in return, I have promised to watch
the Old Time Gospel Hour next Sunday morning.
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I realize that my visit may be a little
controversial. But as many of you have heard, Dr. Falwell
recently sent me a membership in the Moral Majority --
and I didn't even apply for it. And I wonder if that
means that I'm a member in good standing.
[Falwell: Somewhat]
Somewhat, he says.
This is, of course, a nonpolitical speech which is
probably best under the circumstances. Since I am not a
candidate for President, it would certainly be
inappropriate to ask for your support in this election
and probably inaccurate to thank you for it in the last
one.
I have come here to discuss my beliefs about faith
and country, tolerance and truth in America. I know we
begin with certain disagreements; I strongly suspect that
at the end of the evening some of our disagreements will
remain. But I also hope that tonight and in the months
and years ahead, we will always respect the right of
others to differ, that we will never lose sight of our
own fallibility, that we will view ourselves with a sense
of perspective and a sense of humor. After all, in the
New Testament, even the Disciples had to be taught to
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look first to the beam in their own eyes, and only then
to the mote in their neighbor’s eyes.
I am mindful of that counsel. I am an American and a
Catholic; I love my country and treasure my faith. But I
do not assume that my conception of patriotism or policy
is invariably correct, or that my convictions about
religion should command any greater respect than any
other faith in this pluralistic society. I believe there
surely is such a thing as truth, but who among us can
claim a monopoly on it?
There are those who do, and their own words testify
to their intolerance. For example, because the Moral
Majority has worked with members of different
denomination, one fundamentalist group has denounced Dr.
[Jerry] Falwell for hastening the ecumenical church and
for “yoking together with Roman Catholics, Mormons, and
others.” I am relieved that Dr. Falwell does not regard
that as a sin, and on this issue, he himself has become
the target of narrow prejudice. When people agree on
public policy, they ought to be able to work together,
even while they worship in diverse ways. For truly we are
all yoked together as Americans, and the yoke is the
happy one of individual freedom and mutual respect.
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TruthandToleranceinAmericaEdwardM.Kennedy:TruthandToleranceinAmericaThankyouverymuchProfessorKombayforthatgenerousintroduction.Andletmesay,thatIneverexpectedtohearsuchkindwordsfromDr.Falwell.Soinreturn,Ihaveaninvitationofmyown.OnJanuary20th,1985,IhopeDr.Falwellwillsayaprayerattheinaugurationofthenex...
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