Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

is by definition a codification of morality, much of it grounded in the Judeo-Christian
tradition. (Obama)
Their message of tolerance and unity fails because of their rhetorical vision that is the complete
opposite of their intended message and American perception of reality. American society perceives and
rejects the reality the secular organizations design that stirs resentment toward the religious and creates
polarization between the secular and religious communities for it is in religion that they find commonality
and morality and reform despite a polarizing society. To spur action against such is to bring society’s
actions upon itself.
With this analytical argument complete, I will offer a summary of the material presented along with
a conclusion on what this means for us as a society.
Summary and Conclusion
In this essay, I argued that the billboard campaigns funded by secular organizations, including
UnitedCoR and Freedom From Religion Foundation, failed to create convergence with the U.S. public by
presenting a rhetorical vision that says “unity is found in the personal choice to abandon religion” through
fantasy themes of heroic reason, villainous God and the hindrance of religion to a society that rejected this
interpretation of reality.
For this analysis, I discussed the background related to the secular organizations’ billboard
campaigns and the response to their intended message, described Bormann’s fantasy theme and rhetorical
vision, and analyzed the persuasive message of the secular organizations by utilizing Bormann’s rhetorical
approach. With the analysis complete, what does this reveal about American society?
Despite the notion that we as a society are growing more non-religious with millions good without
God, American society resisted and denounced this attempt by the secular community to expand its
presence and impact on society. Even with the realities of 9/11 fresh on the minds of Americans, our
society held to religion and a belief in God over imagining a world without religion. In the presentation of a
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