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A bunch of evangelicals like Tim LaHaye, Pat Robertson, and Jerry Falwell pushed many in the evangelical movement to support Ronald Reagan for president. The New Right tied them to the Republican Party. But... what did they get for their efforts?
In this mini-episode, Chris lays out some of the few things they got. And some of the things that Reagan did that upset these evangelicals with large followings.
One thing they didn't like was the appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female Supreme Court judge. But Reagan did dedicate a day of prayer and offered an amendment to protect prayer in schools (though it was never going to pass).
It's possible that what Reagan really left these evangelicals with large followings was not legislation, but permission to use deeply flawed individuals to achieve their goals.
Sources:
God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams
The Invisible Bridge, Nixonland, and Reaganland by Rick Perlstein
Proclamation 4999. National Family Week 1982
Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz
The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald
New York Times article about the O'Connor opposition
Christianity Today article about O'Connor's opposition
New York Times Article “Reagan Proposes School Prayer Amendment, May 18, 1982.
Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ by John G Turner
Article on National Ice Cream Day
Letter from Gary North to Paul Weyrick
Article on the US overthrow of Grenada
Revive Us Again by Joel Carpenter
Discussion Questions:
What did evangelicals get from Reagan?
How did these evangelicals with large followings continue after Reagan?
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