美国经典英文演讲100篇:Truth and Tolerance in America(6)
President Kennedy, who said that “no religious body should seek to impose its will,” also urged religious leaders to state their views and give their commitment when the public debate involved ethical issues. In drawing the line between imposed will and essential witness, we keep church and state separate, and at the same time we recognize that the City of God should speak to the civic duties of men and women.
There are four tests which draw that line and define the difference.
First, we must respect the integrity of religion itself.
People of conscience should be careful how they deal in the word of their Lord. In our own history, religion has been falsely invoked to sanction prejudice — even slavery — to condemn labor unions and public spending for the poor. I believe that the prophecy, ”The poor you have always with you” is an indictment, not a commandment. And I respectfully suggest that God has taken no position on the Department of Education — and that a balanced budget constitutional amendment is a matter of economic analysis, and not heavenly appeals.
Religious values cannot be excluded from every public issue; but not every public issue involves religious values.
肯尼迪总统说过：“任何宗教团体不该寻求把它的意志强加到别人身上。”这也要求宗教领导人在公开辩论伦理问题时要明白自己的观点并承担起义务，要划清强加的意志和必要的见证之间的界限，要做到政教分离，但与此同时，我们也要意识到“上帝之城”应该提醒公民的责任。
有四种区分方法：
首先，我们必须尊重宗教的廉正。有良心的人应该在这个世界上很谨慎地对待他们的主。在我们自己的历史上，人们错误的用宗教进行歧视——甚至奴隶制度——谴责工会和为了救助穷人的公共开支。我深信“因为常有穷人与你们同在”这一预言就是一个控告，而不是一条戒律。我恭敬的任务，上帝不在教育部任职，一个平衡预算的宪法修正案是经济分析问题，而不是神圣的诉请。任何一项公共政策不能把宗教价值排斥在外；但并非一项公共政策一定要包含宗教价值。
1. seek v. 寻求
Most men seek wealth, all men seek happiness.
多数人追逐财富，人人寻求幸福。
2. commitment n. 承诺，许诺
I felt I did not have to make such a commitment to them.
我觉得我没有必要对他们作出那样的承诺。
3. civic a. 城市的
The US President' s visit was the most important civic event of the year.
美国总统的来访是该城市那年的头等大事。
4. slavery n. 奴隶制度
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
难道生命真的这样珍贵，和平真的这样美好，竟值得用枷锁与奴役为代价？
5. budget n. 预算
Budget cut backs forced the company to let go of several employees.
预算减少迫使得公司减裁了好几个员工。
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