The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, October 16, 1978, Page Page 6, Image 6
Reverence
By Jeff LaGroue Americans
O?wcocfc Staff Wrttw
The recent Southeastern Water Projects Conference was a big sue
according 10 james tL>. Kstes, use business professor, who spoke
on the "Real Cost of Government Water Projects " at the conference.
A man aspiring to the office of president of the United States must be
willing and able to assume the role of the American people's "chief
priest" as well, said Charles Howard Lippy in a Thursday flight speech
at Williams-Brice College of Nursing.
The Clemson University history professor's address was called "The
President as Priest: Civil Religion and the Folklore of the American
President." Lippy's remarks were made at a special meeting of the USC
Department of Religious Studies.
A CANDIDATE who cannot convince Americans of his reverence for
mallei ican nisiury wm never oe eieciea presiaent, Ljppy said.
"Presidential campaigns are designed to demonstrate to the public
that a candidate is worthy of the office, that he received the necessary
education and is equipped to serve as priest," Lippy said. ,Mniere was
some concern at our last presidential election that Jimmy Carter might
not be worthy."
"WHILE IT'S not a constitutional requirement, the president
traditionally recites the oath with one hand on the Bible/' he said. "In
addition to joining together constitution and Bible this perpetuates the
American belief that it is the God of the Judaeo-Christian heritage who
is providentially ordering the events of American history. Joining
together civil religion and traditional religion is a cornerstone of the
whole idea."
Specifically, what a president says in his inaugural address is less
important than the character of the address as a ritual form, according
to Lippy.
"The delivery of an inaugural address is something akin to the
celebration of the first mass," he said. 'The first time a president
stands behind the seal of the office and addresses the people, he is like
the traditional priest who speaks from the pulpit. The priest welds the
people together by reminding one and all of their common roots."
j FAK/rMlC 8
i nivi O
COGBURN'S GRILL
1317 Sumter St. DOWNTOWN
0MD1gS?>
OPEN MON.thru FRI.
6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
HAI I HWPPM
m m mam wmm W W Am ! ^
DECORATIONS
MAKE UP
AVAILABLE AT
BHBBBSli
1235 Assembly St. Columbia,S.C. 29202
^nnrchin9 nrpci^pnri)
RECENT INAUGURAL addresses have contained many references to
past presidents, Lippy said.
"Jefferson's second inaugural was paraphrased by Carter," he said.
"Just as members of the traditional priesthood regard themselves as
being in an unbroken succession stretching backward, so each president
confirms his own priestly statin by invoking the wisdom of his
predecessors. By doing this he secures sanction for his future actions
and assures the people that whatever he does is consistent with the
American heritage."
Since he is priest of all the people, a president must be careful to talk
about concepts which all the people can relate to, Lippy said. Hie openended
speech which characterizes inaugurals is meant to evoke in the
listener's mind a panorama of patriotic images, he said.
"President Carter referred to the bold and brilliant dream which
excuea uie iounaers 01 our nation," Lippy said. He didn't tell us what the
dream was; he referred to it. Some commentators quickly concluded,
and Carter claimed, that he had no new dream to set forth, except to
urge some fresh faith in the old dream.
"AMERICANS LIKE to believe their president is more than just a
man, Lippy said.
'There is a popular assumption that the president does indeed know
more about the world, and that he is able to use this knowledge to the
benefit of all/' he said. "Speaking from behind the seal of the president
of the United States is equivalent to when the Pope speaks in the
cathedral."
luoouuoouooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoC
1 Btfto&lfedk I
^GfWJUrt^l ICciclceK Simp 9eawce B**iwi. Puq>?uehm gj
g B*au* Etetbiic Celled 6 Kindt* gj
fe Gawimel Coikw Beaut gj
S 22 Ua*i?tt?A gj
jg Biftu*KUdi *Wodu*e$225.00 S
|g include a Uuidtto. dwq It kaefe. and tuttiuq blades, gi
g Bum-CiimSuim *35.00 S;
|= 5205 Fenwi D*. (next U Steak & AEe) 787-0847 3
lOOOOOOOOOOOOnnfinnnnnnOftnnnftnnnnrtAAftAAAA
L_^juuuuouuuuuucjuuouUUUUUUUUOUUOUUf^^
Serologicals
Of f AlumkiA I**
| w - V BBlVlVlf IllWt
I 2719 (Tliddleburg Dr.
I Suite 105
I Columbia, S.C.
I Phone 254-6537
Earn
Extra
fTloneu I
I while helping in the diagnosis and prevention of blood
disorders.
If your blood type is B positive or B negative and you
would like to earn up to $160.00 per month for only a
few hours of your time per week (preferably male
applicants between 18-30 years of age)
Charles Lippy
I m ~ i
Rll EzJCCRNEU ARMS PWJUHMACY/L/*
PHONE 7PO-IBO? V
S4JWUR A PINOUTW STS. COLUMBIA, S.C. ]
OPEN 7 AM -9 PM
WE CASH CHICKS
DISCOUNT TICKETS
| TO ABC THEATRES
RICHLAND MALL
I & II
PALMETTO
$2?? EACH I
TEXAS INSTRUMtNT
CALCULATORS
TI-30 - ?21M
TI-1000 ? $11*5
TI.109C _ ?1I?5
HALLOWEEN
CARDS (HALLMARK)
CANDY
PINS
CONTAC 10'S ? *1.69
yvAuu t> - - -
nivuiLOOZ.? *Z.I6
BARNES HINDS
Wetting Sol. ? *2.19
HEAD & SHOULDERS
7 ox. - ?l .77
(| EY CUAU DAA 41 Afl
".fcn iimmruu? I .TO
SURE DEODORANT
8 01. - ?1.76
BUDWEISER BOTTLES
$2.09,
Wt CASH CHICKS j
OPEN 7 AM -9 PM
^pTcciiNiii
PHONE 709-1590 ''
l^^^uWri^l^PtNOttTONSTS^iCOl^MgM^^^^