OK, Miss "I only post facts" - show us the fact that Reagan was a Christian.
From his speech to the National Religious Broadcasters convention after announcing his second-term candidacy:
"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."
From the end of the same speech:
"If the Lord is our light, our strength, and our salvation, whom shall we fear? Of whom shall we be afraid? No matter where we live, we have a promise that can make all the difference, a promise from Jesus to soothe our sorrows, heal our hearts, and drive away our fears. He promised there will never be a dark night that does not end. Our weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. He promised if our hearts are true, His love will be as sure as sunlight. And, by dying for us, Jesus showed how far our love should be ready to go: all the way."
Now, you might say, "Lots of politicians mouth religious faith to win points", and you'd be right. But there's a big difference between saying, "God bless America" to pander to voters and talking about God and Jesus the way Reagan did. Argue whether or not he was a GOOD Christian, if you must. But I think it's clear that he thought of himself as a Christian, and only God has the ability to argue that.
Frankly, it's clear that Reagan himself did not write that. That has the flowery imagery reminiscent of "shining city on the hill". Sounds like Peggy Noonan. But a minor point, since he would obviously approved the speech prior to giving it.
But the major point is that he was talking to a special interest group: The National Religious Broadcasters Convention! While running for re-election, in 1984! I'm sure that when he talked to steel workers in Pittsburgh, he was just as sincere.
In fact, you can read his address to the nation and see just how passionate Ronald Reagan was about steel!
So wouldn't a normal person agree that he might be laying on a little extra Jesus when talking to TV evengelists? That's
their stock and trade! He better come with his A-game, rhetorically speaking.
Let's compare that with a speech that President Obama
(peace be upon him) made before a Methodist group:
OBAMA: I let Jesus Christ into my life. I learned that my sins could be redeemed and if I placed my trust in Jesus, that he could set me on a path to eternal life. When I submitted myself to his will and I dedicated myself to discovering his truth and carrying out his works, it was that newfound faith that fortified my commitment to the work I was doing in the community. Because it taught me that I could sit in church and pray all I want but I won't be fulfilling the Lord's will unless I am doing the lord's work.
Sorry, but his sounds more from the heart and more honestly personal than Reagan's pretty words.
tendency to believe everything Obama says is carved-in-stone, sworn-on-religious-text-of-your-choice gospel truth and everything Reagan said was merely pandering, and your odd notions that 1) OBAMA'S speeches aren't ALSO written by paid speechwriters, and 2) that the President of the United States just goes out and reads whatever words are put in front of him with no input as to what they are, when did I ever register an opinion on whether or not Obama is a Christian? Unlike some people, I'm not looking to go to Hell for the sin of hubris, thanks very much, so I would never DREAM of trying to judge another person's soul. Actions, sure; character, you betcha; soul? Not a chance.
