On a July evening in 1980 at the Republican Party presidential convention, Ronald Reagan sent a religious signal that still reverberates throughout American politics.<\/p>\n
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:<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Reagan went on, “I’ll confess that” \u201d\u201d and here his voice faltered momentarily \u201d\u201d “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.”<\/p>\n