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Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's Speech To Receive The Templeton Prize

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This paper will examine Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s address upon receiving the Templeton award in 1983. We will first take a look at the life of Solzhenitsyn, in order to gain a fuller appreciation for the meaning of his speech. This will include a discourse on the major events in his life, from his early twenties up until his death. We will then examine the purpose of his message, asking “Why did he say what he did? What was the point?” Our goal will be to boil down his speech to their prime ingredients. After that, we will consider the intended audience of Solzhenitsyn’s speech, and what they can gain from him. To close, we will look at the way in which Solzhenitsyn presented his material; from his word choices to his execution of themes. …show more content…

In the beginning, God made truth with His own hands, and divided right from wrong. He set the standards of justice swinging into motion, and intended them to never be infringed upon. Yet for years, mankind has been about the practice of selfishly ignoring these absolute standards. One noteworthy man by the name of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn succinctly noted these heinous tendencies in a speech he made upon being awarded the Templeton prize in 1983. Solzhenitsyn was well in a position to offer valid opinions, as he had accumulated much firsthand experience to support his …show more content…

In this world, there are many things that fight for our devotion; money, careers, education, and other people are just a few examples. Yet none of these temporary things can hold water for the span of eternity. The only thing that can truly fulfil is a relationship with God. He alone should we chase after, yearn for, and trust, because he alone is God; not us. Solzhenitsyn's speech vividly illustrated this reality to its core. Let us all be wary, lest we too forget God in our search for

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