On a July evening in 1980 at the Republican Party presidential convention, Ronald Reagan sent a religious signal that still reverberates throughout American politics.
Before raucous delegates and a national television audience, Reagan was approaching the end of his acceptance speech when he departed from his prepared remarks: “I have thought of something that’s not a part of my speech and worried over whether I should do it.” He paused, then continued:
“Can we doubt that only a Divine Providence placed this land, this island of freedom, here as a refuge for all those people in the world who yearn to breathe free? Jews and Christians enduring persecution behind the Iron Curtain; the boat people of Southeast Asia, of Cuba and of Haiti; the victims of drought and famine in Africa; the freedom fighters in Afghanistan; and our own countrymen held in savage captivity.”
Reagan went on, “I’ll confess that” ”” and here his voice faltered momentarily ”” “I’ve been a little afraid to suggest what I’m going to suggest.” A long pause ensued, followed by this: “I’m more afraid not to. Can we begin our crusade joined together in a moment of silent prayer?” The hall went silent, heads bowed. He then closed with words uncommon at the time: “God bless America.”
The Reverends Jackson and Sharpton were unavailable for comment.
But seriously, does this guy have any concept of the public utterances of the Founders themselves? Has he even read the Declaration of Independence? The Gettysburg Address? Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation?
Only through the most profound ignorance can this man suggest that religion was conspicuous in its absence from the public sphere save for the last three decades.