November 4th Reagan Revolution

The Reagan Revolution

  • Focus on the late 1970s, 1980s, and the rise of Republican President Ronald Reagan.

  • Discussion will include:

    • The religious right

    • The politics of religion in post-war United States.

Personal Beliefs of the Instructor

  • Instructor’s identity as a Protestant, specifically Presbyterian.

  • Engages in religious practice regularly, such as attending church on holidays and Sundays.

  • Explains personal relationship with God and observance of communion.

  • Humorously references drinking wine and consuming communion crackers as ways to reflect on forgiveness and redemption.

Relationship with Evangelicals

  • Instrumental relationship with Evangelical communities discussed.

  • Observes different strands of Christianity and their leadership, including his personal connections

    • Mention of receiving bibles from various sources.

Rise of Donald Trump and Religion

  • Overview of President Trump's initial personal faith and reliance on evangelical support.

  • Contradictions in his statements regarding religiosity noted.

  • Major themes of his campaigns focused on non-religious issues like immigration, government size, tax cuts.

  • Over time, Trump emphasized religious values appealing to ultra-conservative evangelicals:

    • Example: Sale of the "God Bless The USA Bible" through his organization, generating $300,000 in profits.

  • Established a Religious Liberty Commission focused on issues concerning evangelical community:

    • Worked under the Department of Justice:

      • Issues include religious education, freedom of speech, and anti-Christian discrimination.

  • Statement that previous administration's Department of Justice discriminated against Christians cited.

Statements from the Religious Liberty Commission Meeting

  • Held at the Museum of the Bible in Washington DC.

  • Trump's statement included:

    • Emphasis on defending religious rights and Judeo-Christian principles.

    • Criticism of indoctrination and anti-religious propaganda in schools.

    • Promotion of right to prayer and formation of a task force to combat anti-Christian bias.

Discussion Questions for Class

  • Is the United States a religious or Christian nation?

  • How does religion interplay with politics post World War II?

  • How do religious and political divisions manifest and complicate each other?

The Religious Right

  • Originated as a reaction to the socio-political landscape post World War II.

    • Influenced by evangelical ministers, new denominations, and corporate backing.

  • The Moral Majority emerged as a coalition aimed at political action in the 1970s and 80s.

Historical Context

  • 1950s Religious Revival: Significant shift that saw an increase in church attendance from 16% in 1850 to 69% in the 1950s.

  • Spiritual Mobilization Organization: Founded by minister James Fifield Jr., combining corporate interests with evangelical messages.

    • Aimed to counter liberal policies and use religion to advocate for free market capitalism.

  • Promoting the idea that religious identity aligns with national identity.

Key Figures

  • Billy Graham: Prominent evangelical minister who popularized these ideas, actively appealing for the merging of religion and politics.

  • Supported candidates like Dwight D. Eisenhower, though careful not to officially endorse.

Eisenhower’s Administration

  • Eisenhower utilized religious symbolism to unite Americans against the backdrop of the Cold War.

  • Introduced the phrase “under God” to the pledge of allegiance and “In God We Trust” as national mottos.

Supreme Court Decisions

  • Engel v. Vitale (1962): Declared school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional, citing First Amendment rights.

  • Abington School District v. Schempp (1963): Prohibited mandated Bible reading in public schools.

Political Response

  • Conservative backlash to the Supreme Court's rulings initiated advocacy for more religious practices in schools.

  • Emergence of new political movements among evangelical and Catholic communities.

Mobilization of the Religious Right in the 1970s

  • Formation of the Moral Majority by Jerry Falwell in 1979 to mobilize religious conservatives.

  • Key advocacy for social issues like abortion, school prayer, and traditional family values.

  • Recognition of the potential political power of religious voters.

Reagan Campaigns and Policies

  • Reagan sought the support of the religious right, promoting conservative values during his campaign.

  • His presidency marked a deeper intertwining of Republican political strategy with religious rhetoric.

    • The appeal to religious voters became standard practice for candidates, culminating in his 1980 campaign rhetoric.

Post-Reagan Political Landscape

  • The influence of religious groups on policy continues, shaping the Republican Party’s agenda.

  • The political landscape sees continuous intertwining of religion with campaign strategies into the 21st century.