“Faith, like love or patriotism comes at a very high price.”

In his April 8, 1962 broadcast, Rabbi Olan discussed idealism and realism. Although these worldviews conflict, he suggested that both are necessary. It seemed to Olan that realism (meaning practicality and self-interest) was growing while idealism was diminshing in our society, to the detriment of us all. And yet, idealism also has its problems. True idealism is costly. It demands risk and sacrifice in order to bring about the greater good.

“This is a good time to take out some of the faith of our founding fathers and shine it up. What this critical hour needs is a new, prophetic voice which can lift the drooping spirits of a disillusioned world. “

Audio link: http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/olan/id/788

Video link: http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/olan/id/841

Text link: http://digitalcollections.smu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/olan/id/377

(#RabbiOlan quotes Alfred, Lord Tennyson.)