Did Involvement With Astrology, Tarnish Ronald Reagan's Much Admired Presidency?

jstone78

[jstone78]

Many conservatives regard Ronald Reagan as the greatest President of the 20th Century. They cite his accomplishments as - winning the Cold War, reviving the economy, and making Americans feel good about their country.

But some evangelical Christians, who were some of Reagan's strongest supporters, remain uncomfortable with revelations made by Reagan's former White House Chief of Staff, Donald Regan, in his controversial 1988 book, "For the Record".

In his book, Donald Regan revealed that Mrs. Nancy Reagan hired an astrologer to help plan the President's schedule. Some of the most important decisions regarding national security, were made based on the advice given by an astrologer - Joan Quigley.

Certainly, the revelations did nothing to diminish credit given to Ronald Reagan for winning the Cold War and reviving the economy. But the revelations did leave a bitter taste in the mouth of one evangelical neighbor of mine, who not only voted for Reagan in 1980 and 1984, but also in the 1976 Republican Primary against Gerald Ford. Evangelicals take issues of astrology and the occult very seriously, and do not see them as "harmless fun".

[jstone78]

And I must add that I have more respect and admiration for Nancy Reagan today, than I ever did before. She has proven that she has more strength and courage, than most people imagined, based on the loving care she has given her ailing husband.

But nevertheless, I am one who believes that all topics should be subject to intelligent and reasoned debate, no matter how uncomfortable we may be in discussing them. In this forum, we have had people who have been harshly critical of aspects of Abraham Lincoln's Presidency. No figure in American history should be above having some of his more controversial decisions questioned.

[jstone78]

For those too young to remember the 1980s, here is a Time Magazine report on Donald Regan's controversial book, on the Reagan's and astrology: http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/05/19/back.time/

[boomop1]

NO,is the answer and what promps this vanity post?

[John Lenin]

When they carve his face in Mt Rushmore come back and we will talk about it .

[John W]

"Some of the most important decisions regarding national security, were made based on the advice given by an astrologer..."

I was aware that some scheduling was based on astrology,is this what you statement refers to?Because I was not aware of any "important decisions" made based on that.Unless you consider the timing of summits and such as important.

[boomop1]

ooops prompts but you knew that.

[txhurl]

Lots of references to 'wisemen' in the bible are actually to astrologers.

Kings have used it for millenia: there must be a reason the tradition never got 'sunset'ed'.

[John W]

This from Time,not known to be a pro-Reagan rag:

"Ronald Reagan insisted last week that at no time did astrology determine policy. Strictly speaking, that appears to be so."

Of course,"strict speaking" has taken a bit of a beating since the Reagan years and the time of this article.

[DentsRun]

Did Involvement With Astrology, Tarnish Ronald Reagan's Much Admired Presidency?

No, it gave a much-needed boost to astrology.

[freed0m]

This is not an issue. Most people who are intelligent enough to recognize that astrology is not any way to run a government, also recognize that Reagan himself was an actor, and his administration was responsible for the legacy he left this country. We should give credit where credit is due. Reagan's job was to read the cue-cards and get public support for his administration's policies.

The fact that Reagan himself didn't mastermind the policies, doesn't detract at all from what was achieved.