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In some ways, one might be surprised that so many conservative evangelicals ever fell so deeply in love with a former Hollywood film actor who went into politics but rarely into church sanctuaries. But make no mistake: Ronald Wilson Reagan and evangelicals became inseparable. After giving him the presidency, conservative Protestants shaped Reagan's policies, and in turn Reagan's presidency shaped American evangelicalism.

In his presidential speeches to evangelical groups, the Great Communicator didn't just communicate that conservative Christians were important to him and to the country—he told them that they were crucial. For example, Reagan's 1983 "evil empire" speech—one of the most significant speeches of the 20th century—was delivered to the National Association of Evangelicals (photo). That speech included references to C.S. Lewis's Screwtape Letters, "a great spiritual awakening in America," America's own "legacy of evil," school prayer, the Ten Commandments, and this telling litany: "an overwhelming majority of Americans disapprove of adultery, teenage sex, pornography, abortion, and hard drugs." (He reiterated many of these themes in other addresses to the NAE.) But significantly, the speech began with Reagan telling the Christian leaders how important they were to him:

I'm pleased to be here today with you who are keeping America great by keeping her good. Only through your work and prayers and those of millions of others can we hope to survive this perilous century and keep alive this experiment in liberty, this last, best hope of man.

I want you to know that this administration is motivated by a political philosophy that sees the greatness of America in you, her people, and in your families, churches, neighborhoods, communities—the institutions that foster and nourish values like concern for others and respect for the rule of law under God.

A few months later, Reagan again communicated his affinity for evangelicals by speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters convention within hours of announcing his candidacy for a second presidential term. In that speech, Christianity Today wrote, Reagan aligned "himself more closely than ever before with conservative Christian moral causes."

"Today I feel like I'm doing more than returning for a speech; I feel like I'm coming home," he said in his opening remarks. "Under this roof, some 4,000 of us are kindred spirits united by one burning belief: God is our Father; we are His children; together, brothers and sisters, we are one family." Noting his declaration of 1983 as the Year of the Bible, he said, "Can we make a resolution here today? -- That 1984 will be the year we put its great truths into action? … Within the covers of that single Book are all the answers to all the problems that face us today if we'd only read and believe."

Reagan cautioned against "claiming God is on our side," adding, "the real question we must answer is, are we on His side?" America's abortion rate, he said, suggests that we are not. But Christian ministries, he said, "show us that lives are saved, people are reborn and, yes, dreams come true when we heed the voice of the spirit, minister to the needy, and glorify God."

Here's how Reagan ended that speech:

Our mission stretches far beyond our borders; God's family knows no borders. In your life you face daily trials, but millions of believers in other lands face far worse. They are mocked and persecuted for the crime of loving God. To every religious dissident trapped in that cold, cruel existence, we send our love and support. Our message? You are not alone; you are not forgotten; do not lose your faith and hope because someday you, too, will be free.

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June (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48