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Brooklynn Early
John Kubler
English 114A
3 September 2014
A Level Playing Field
Madeline Albright, a women heavily involved in the government from being the first
female to serve as United States Secretary of State, to being the Ambassador of the United
Nations examines the need for religious understanding in the United States to further understand
foreign relations. In Albrights essay Faith and Diplomacy, she delves into the seriousness of
religion in other countries and why it is only ethical that America increases its knowledge on
non-domestic faiths and beliefs. Through her own experiences, Albright addresses the fact that
religion is inevitable in the world and in order to deal with foreign affairs, religion must be
understood since it is so influential in other countries. Also, she closely evaluates the power of
religion and ways to deal with foreign difference by finding similarities.
Albright reminds us that religions influence on world events is inherent and persistent,
it is deeply rooted into the reason behind religious wars in foreign countries and even what we
label as terrorism(34). Although it is easier to argue that a faithless world would eliminate many
international disputes, it can be concluded that a faithless world would lead to a dictatorship with
nothing for people to put their faith in, nothing to get them through the day, and a lack of
uniqueness. In order to deal with foreign relations, religion must be understood because of its
importance in other countries and to further comprehend the motives of other countries. Foreign

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policy makers should develop their faith-based knowledge since so many wars have started in the
name of religion, this requires at minimum, that we see spiritual matters as a subject worth
studying(35). If religion is the cause of wars, and if spirituality is such a great aspect of the
culture and lifestyle of transoceanic territories, then it is only correct that America become
educated on these faith-based beliefs to properly participate in foreign conflicts.
Through Albrights experiences shared, she emphasizes the power of religion. People in
other countries have been killed, tortured, and have died in the name of their God and others
have held forgiveness in their hearts in the name of their God despite what they went through.
Individuals shot because they did not denounce their beliefs, propaganda about high priests being
spread, children left to fin for themselves all in the name of religion and pleasing a higher power.
On the other hand, those same beliefs have allowed people to overcome fear , hate and even
show compassion for others. There is a thin line being crossed in the appellation of spirituality
and too many throats have been cut in Gods name through the ages, and God has enlisted in
too many wars, what better way to understand these beliefs than gain knowledge and awareness
of these beliefs (35)? The main way Albright proposes to deal with religion in government is to
reconcile, especially when there is a common goal. The essence of Albrights solutions is when
people are pursuing the same goal, each side should be able to understand what motivates the
otherthey need only find a formula for sharing what both want(40), rather than argue over
which religion is right or wrong, understand where each other is coming from in terms of
spirituality in order to move on.
Madeline Albright utilized many rhetorical devices to appeal to her readers in order to get
her point across clearly and effectively. Although there was not many appeals to logic using
statistics or research findings, Albrights credibility was clearly established for the reader to

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understand that she is qualified to discuss the issue at hand. She was involved in high
government positions and had experience in foreign affairs. As Albright shared her experiences,
it really tugged the heart strings of the reader. She used descriptive language to describe the
young girls in their mickey mouse T-shirt that were taken advantage of by men as old are their
fathers (38). Albrights appeal to emotion allowed the reader to imagine what people went
through and fully understand her argument. As far as shared values, I dont believe I was able to
connect to Albright for the simple fact that I have not been outside of the country and I am not
involved in government actions. I understood where she was coming from however, I still feel as
though an increase in religious knowledge is a responsibility of government officials and foreign
policy makers, not me, a college student.