“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” by Jonathan Edwards

(Conversations in Am. Lit pp. 257-259)

1. What was your first reaction to this sermon?

2. In your opinion, is this a reasonable way to approach God and religion?

Why or why not?

3. Why do you suppose a sermon like this made “converts” (born-again believers) of people during the Great Awakening?

Read the following information on propaganda, which is a biased form of writing or speaking intended to persuade.

Common Propaganda Techniques

  • Band Wagon: “Everybody is doing it, so why don’t you get with it and join the crowd?” Example: “Eight out of ten doctors prescribe TRANQUILITY as the best medicine to calm your nerves.”
  • Expertise of the Speaker: This technique is often used in political endorsements. Example: A politician leaving a long-held elected office and not running again for that office endorses one of the candidates now competing for the seat; voters are likely to trust the judgment of the person they had elected numerous times in the past. Or, someone with an impressive array of medical degrees and qualifications advertises a particular medication.
  • Card Stacking: In this approach the cards are “stacked” in favor of a candidate or in opposition to an opponent or a suggested proposal. The facts and figures presented are those that support or deride a candidate or a proposal. Example: A table of figures is displayed that enumerates all the “yes” votes a congressman made that are in accord with his audience’s point of view. No other votes are tabulated in the table—that is, votes that his listeners might not appreciate.
  • Appeals to Emotion:This technique may be used to create feelings of fear or guilt in the audience. Example: On an episode of The Simpsons, Homer is watching Public Television. A fundraiser for the station comes on and says that anyone who is watching and doesn’t make a contribution to the station is stealing from it and will cause its ruination. Or, a company selling alarm systems pictures a family being held at gunpoint while their home is ransacked, all because they didn’t have such a system installed.
  • Name Calling: A label that is not complimentary is used to influence others to dislike a person or organization. Examples: “Nit Wit,” “Snob,” and “Big Shot.”

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4. What devices or techniques (bandwagon, appeals to emotion, etc.) did Edwards use to convince people? Give specific examples from the sermon.

Where may we see these techniques/devices used today?

Are they still effective? Why or why not?