Republicans and Evangelicals | Where the Gang Ended Up part 2

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Jimmy Swaggart was caught in a major controversy in the late 1980s. It involved the famous American televangelist, who was a leading figure in Pentecostal Christianity. In 1988, Swaggart publicly admitted to “moral failure” after reports surfaced that he had been involved with a prostitute, behavior that directly contradicted the strict moral standards he preached. The revelation led to his suspension by the Assemblies of God, his church denomination, and caused significant damage to his reputation and ministry. Swaggart delivered a widely televised, tearful confession, which became one of the most memorable moments in religious broadcasting, symbolizing broader concerns at the time about hypocrisy, accountability, and power among high-profile televangelists.

This proved to be a problem for Pat Robertson, who was running for president. Just as he needed his conservative brothers and sisters on his side... they disappeared or chose another politician.

When he lost the race, he continued his streak of being shelved by politicians. He and other evangelicals with large followings placed their hope in politicians to save them. Only to find disappointment.

Sources:

• The Evangelicals by Frances Fitzgerald
• Reaganland by Rick Perlstein
• Pat Robertson: A Life and Legacy by David Edwin Harrell Jr.
• Andrews, T. M. (2017). The Rev. Marvin Gorman, who prompted Jimmy Swaggart's downfall in the '80s, dies at 83
• Art Harris, W. P. (1988, Feb 26). Jimmy Swaggart's secret life in the world of no-tell motels 'shouting, weeping' Preacher was just another man on prowl. Toronto Star
• RNC National Convention speeches 1988, around 2:35:00
• God's Own Party by Daniel K Williams
• PETER STEINFELS (1989, Jun 12). Moral majority to dissolve; says mission accomplished. New York Times
• Rolling Stone Magazine article on Jay Sekulow. By Andrew Perez, January 3, 2024
• Washington Post article about Robertson's death

Discussion Questions

• How did success become a problem for the Moral Majority and Christian Coalition?
• Why is it a problem that we keep being marketed to with fear?
• How could conservative evangelicals argue both that they were the majority AND a persecuted minority? Why does it matter?

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