SAMANTHA BLONS
News Assistant
Senator John Kerry’s highly anticipated speech in Smothers Theatre on Monday centered on his faith and the responsibility of Christians in politics, followed by a question and answer session with pre-selected student leaders. Some students stood outside the theatre for hours that morning, waiting for tickets to the event, which were allotted on a “first-come, first-served” basis.
After the lecture, Kerry spoke at an event in his honor hosted by the Pepperdine Young Democrats, at which he responded to uncensored student questions about his policies and positions on controversial global issues.
“For some time, I have looked forward to this opportunity to talk about my faith, and the role of faith in public life,” said Kerry at the beginning of his lecture in Smothers. Dean of Seaver College W. David Baird, who invited Kerry to speak, said he thought it was because of the religious context of the speech that Kerry chose Pepperdine to deliver it. There had been much speculation prior to the lecture about why Kerry, a politically leftist politician, would come to a traditionally conservative college.
Kerry’s first lecture in Smothers focused on his religion, on how it impacts his political beliefs, and on issues where people of faith can find common ground, even with contrasting political views. He also addressed the challenges young Christians face in finding a direction founded on a love of God.
“For you here at Pepperdine, it’s a time when you’re exploring your commitment to God, embarking on a journey to find out how to lead a good life, how to translate your values… into the daily fabric of your existence,” said Kerry.
09-19-2006