There are many people that are lucky enough to live in a country where they could practice whatever religion they want. That is not the case for many other people across the world. Although it is important to fight for other people’s rights, it must be done properly. According to Carol Lee Hamrin, past efforts influence other countries about human rights have been perceived as foregin impositions (3). Hamrin appeals to pathos and logos in “A New Framework for Promoting Religious Freedom in China” to promote the idea of spreading the idea of religious freedom in a new way.
During the first half of the article, Hamrin appeals to pathos to convince the reader that the current way governments are trying to advance religious freedom is not working. “The result is that in response to what they perceive as “China-bashing,” many Chinese have concluded that expressed concerns about their rights are not genuine, but are aimed at the political goal of weakening or destabilizing China as a nation”(Hamrin 5). Hamrin states this to show, and bring concerns to the reader, that many citizens from different countries, like China, are not trusting of the ways religious freedom is being brought up. If other countries, like China, do not trust the way the United States is promoting religious freedom, how do we expect to protect human rights around the world.
Hamrin appeals to logic by stating that the current way of promoting religious freedom is not working so a new way that deals with nongovernmental actors to clear a way to improve human rights. “…religious freedom is not generated overnight, such projects should include medium- and long-term activities that promote cultural tolerance and institutional change”(Hamrin 9). Some ways that Hamrin suggest to promote religious freedom is by “mainstreaming” religious, freedom, promote a link to economic development, coordinate initiatives around international norms, and many more ways. Harmrin’s main goal is to tell the reader that is the old way to advance religious freedom is not working, then it is obviously time to find a new approach.
In conclusion, Hamrin successfully appeals to ethos and pathos to show the reader that it is time for a new approach to advance religious freedom. Hamrin leaves the reader with feelings of concern for the idea that many people will continue to be rejected their human rights if a new framework is not found. In order to successfully advance religious freedom, it is obvious that it is time to move on from an approach that is not working to a new one that has the potential to protect religious freedom across the world, including China.
Hamrin, Carol Lee. “Rhetorical Analysis: A New Framework for Promoting Religious Freedom in China.” Brandywine Review of Faith & International Affairs, Vol 3, Mar 2005, pp. 3-10. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=139481025&scope=site.
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