| Religious rhetoric has been a prominent part of presidential speeches throughout the history of America. From the colonial era to present day, the nation has had a strong religious tradition. However, modern day presidents have incorporated more instances of religious symbolism in their speeches than their predecessors. An examination of presidential speeches show that in the modern era presidents have relied heavily on the use of such symbolism to promote specific policies and to garner support of religious organizations.;Each of the five modern presidents, from Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush, has used religion in his speeches to differing degrees. Carter, George H. W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have limited their use of religious rhetoric, while Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush have consistently filled their oratory with religious and apocalyptic symbolism. Several factors have given rise to the increased use of such rhetoric, including the religious background of the presidents and their staffs, the emergence of the religious right and involvement of conservative Christians in the political sphere, and the challenge of world events, such as the Cold War and terrorism. |
