From Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush: What Happened to American Civil Religion? Wade Clark Roof
From Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush: What Happened to American Civil Religion? Wade Clark Roof
This chapter explores the perspective of religio-political rhetorical development in America that began during the Reagan presidency and was carried over vociferously into the tenure of George W. Bush. Invoking biblical symbols and myths, this “religion of the nation” was noisy and combative, and in the latter period was voiced by figures in the highest echelons of the American government as well as by religious leaders. The period was characterized by a close alignment of conservative evangelical Christian faith and politics, and manifested both domestically and internationally. This entire period of more than forty years offers an opportunity for examining significant shifts in national religious language emanating from the White House. The chapter focuses on the national myths invoked during this period—from the time of the Cold War with the Soviet Union to the post-9/11 mobilization against Islamic terrorists and the Iraq war.
Keywords: religio-political rhetorical development, Reagan presidency, George W. Bush, religion of the nation, national myths
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