Law, Business, and Society 9th Edition by Tony McAdams

Exercise 38

Commentator Thomas Friedman reflects on the Islamic terrorists' hatred for America:
Their constant refrain is that America is a country with wealth and power but "no values." The Islamic terrorists think our wealth and power is unrelated to anything in the soul of this country.... Of course, what this view of America completely misses is that American power and wealth flow directly from a deep spiritual source-a spirit of respect for the individual, a spirit of tolerance for differences of faith or politics, a respect for freedom of thought as the necessary foundation for all creativity, and a spirit of unity that encompasses all kinds of differences. Only a society with a deep spiritual energy, that welcomes immigrants and worships freedom, could constantly renew itself and its sources of power and wealth. 128
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a. Do you agree that the "spiritual source" Friedman cites is the foundation for American success Explain.
b. Is America without a meaningful "soul" Explain.