It was the wealthy agricultural industry owners in California that first combined the ultra rich and poor religious groups in the republican party.

They knew it would be difficult to get the average person to vote for laws that would only benefit the ultra rich.

They took on the causes of the religious community, at least they said they did. The payoff was they got very close to 50% of the voting public.

The religious community would go along with just about anything to benefit the rich as long as you said you were on their side.

This happened during the dust bowl years and has continued on to this day.

I'd say the pastors of the mega churchs love this relationship.