How did religious conservatism become a political force?
The modern concept of the Christian right is complex, drawing from varied theological and political currents. Its influence has waxed and waned, sometimes requiring the adoption of secular arguments to achieve policy goals. Understanding its roots reveals a history of strategic political mobilization.
The political influence of the Christian right, particularly in the United States, is an informal coalition drawing from conservative Evangelical Protestants, conservative Roman Catholics, and additional support from mainline Protestants, Orthodox Jews, and LDS. While the term is most common in U.S. politics, similar groups exist elsewhere. The movement gained significant traction in American conservatism from the late 1970s, with its influence peaking within the Republican Party during the 1980s under Ronald Reagan. More recently, its influence has risen with Donald Trump's second presidency.
The ideological scope of the Christian right includes advancing socially conservative stances on issues like creationism in public education, opposition to biological evolution, and stances on LGBTQ rights and abortion. However, the label itself is debated; for instance, Tim Keller noted that theological conservatism predates the political Christian right, and some political progressive views, such as those concerning wealth redistribution, can coexist with theologically conservative Christianity. Furthermore, not all Evangelicals fit the description, and some groups, like the Amish or Mennonites, maintain a political indifference.
The trajectory of this political force is marked by strategic moments. Early efforts, such as the 1863 National Reform Association, aimed to enshrine Christianity in American governance. While some historians trace its beginning to the late 1970s, Daniel K. Williams suggests involvement throughout the twentieth century. A key turning point involved the IRS actions in the early 1970s, which rescinded tax-exempt status from private schools not admitting African-American students, an event that reportedly caught the attention of leaders like Jerry Falwell.
In contrast, the UK's 'Christian right' is considered less powerful than its American counterpart, partly due to fewer Britons identifying as Christian. Research suggests that while these campaigners bemoan secularization, they have sometimes adopted secular arguments to oppose issues like same-sex marriage and assisted dying. In the US, the rise of the right was fueled by fears of social disintegration following the 1960s counterculture and the alienation of Southern Democrats, leading to social conservatives joining the Republican Party.
Source: Christian right
