Evangelicals, Reagan & Evil Empire

Mark Tooley on April 18, 2023

The Institute on Religion and Democracy co-hosted a commemoration at the Victims of Communism Museum of Ronald Reagan’s March 8, 1983 “Evil Empire” speech to the National Association of Evangelicals. The first panel, now available on C-SPAN, includes Anthony Eames of the Ronald Reagan Foundation, former Reagan aide John Lenczowski, and Elizabeth Spalding of Hillsdale College.

The second panel, which I moderated, includes Eric Patterson of Religious Freedom Institute, Nina Shea of Hudson Institute, and former Reagan aide Elliott Abrams of Council on Foreign Relations.

Reagan’s speech was a key turning in the Cold War. That it occurred before the NAE’s annual meeting showcases the prominent role evangelicals played in shaping public opinion about the Soviet Union.

You can watch first panel here. And second panel is here.

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