JFK on the role of religion in politics

[Major Nikon]

4. Context:

JFK was the first Catholic President. During his election, rumors were being spread that he would be taking orders from the pope, since the RCC often tries to influence politics by threatening to deny holy communion. This speech is intended to assure his constituency that's not the case.

We live in a society where politicians are compelled to express belief in a "sky god" or they are simply unelectable. This is still true today and even more so in JFK's time.

Mocking religion itself rather than religious people has zip to do with tolerance. If ideas can't stand up to ridicule, perhaps they just weren't that solid to begin with.