The Christian Right in American Politics

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Book Reviewed
by Darold Morgan,
President Emeritus of the Annuity Board, SBC

The Christian Right in American Politics
John C. Green, Mark J. Rozel, Clyde Wilcox, eds.
Wash., DC: Georgetown Univ. Press, 2003.

Simply stated, this is must reading for the Christian who is interested in politics and ethics! The galvanizing date which launched the Christian Right movement in the United States is 1973. Rowe vs. Wade, the Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion, is the reason! What we have thirty years later is a major force on the American political scene, nationally and locally, and one directly related to the Republican Party.

Though this book is overpriced ($44.95), probably due to a multiplicity of authors, it will help immeasurably the serious student of American politics to understand how this strange phenomenon was launched and also why it is such a force to be reckoned with today. The book is a survey, state by state, of the Christian Right, which is an "umbrella" term used to refer to a large group of individuals and movements. The states studied are South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, Florida, Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, and Maine.

References abound to the influence in this crusade of Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson. The intent of the book is not related directly to these leaders, but their place in this crusade is abundantly apparent. Other names constantly appearing are Ralph Reed, Richard Vigurie, Paul Weyrich, Cal Thomas, and Gary Bauer.

Some of the organizations involved in the larger patterns of the Christian Right include the now defunct Moral Majority (initiated by Jerry Falwell), The Christian Coalition, James Dobson`s Focus on the Family, Phyllis Schlafly`s Eagle Forum, and multiple numbers of "Right to Life" groups in these various states. It is genuinely fascinating to see how these highly individualistic groups more or less coalesce into a loosely organized national Christian Right organization. All are ultimately committed to the Republican Party (locally and nationally) with a consuming commitment to change local, state, and national policy.

Beginning with the key date of 1973 and the abortion issue, the Christian Right movement has expanded to include many other debatable ethical concerns-i.e., gay rights, school prayer, home schooling, vouchers, evolution vs. creationism, feminism, and gambling. The key concern and almost always the basic rallying point is still the "Right to Life" issue, which has produced an extraordinarily deep commitment nationwide to the ultimate reversal of "Rowe Vs Wade" by any means that will accomplish this goal.

All of the authors are professors in American universities. All of the chapters are very well researched, resulting in a veritable gold mine of primary materials for the interested student in the American political venue. It is surprising how diverse the Christian Right is state by state, and yet how unified it is on their major commitment to influence their state GOP. For example, the Kansas Christian Right has made the evolution vs. creationism issue a focal point, which of course, has turned out to be a peculiar source of embarrassment to the state. A key issue in Texas has been the choice of public school textbooks. Oregon`s issue is the highly controversial assisted suicide issue. Colorado gained national awareness over gay-rights legislation, later declared to be unconstitutional. But the unifying and cohesive commitment in each state has been that of abortion. Family values, conservative political action, deep distrust of the national media, control of the local Republican precincts-all point to an exceptionally vigorous, highly effective movement. And all of this despite some blatant failures, the fragmentation engendered by local jealousies.

Some of the opponents of the Christian Right movement still do not understand how deeply committed the movement is to their announced goals for such varied questions as the abortion issue, or issues related to the gay and lesbian culture, or even questions concerning the separation of church and state. Many of those known in the Christian Right are folk whose concepts of biblical values are tied into a burning concern that their values are terminally threatened by both a secular and pluralistic society. This has produced a profound depth of commitment to this cause. Failure to grasp this dedication is indeed a severe misjudgment of this movement.

Despite the obvious fact that the Christian Right is distinctly a minority force in an increasingly pluralistic America, and despite their record which has often includes defeat, personality conflicts, and legal set-backs, the Christian Right is perhaps more cohesive and committed to its agenda than ever before. The current Bush administration is well aware of this political force, marked specifically by Ashcroft`s appointment as Attorney General. Memories of the Christian Right`s not-so-subtle opposition to the first Bush`s administration are alive and influential. Bush knows quite well who are the Christian Right`s main supporters. White Anglo-Saxon Protestants show up at the polls more than any other voting group. And they show up with prepared voter`s guides, which have been circulated by the millions, especially in conservative churches. Tax authorities have challenged this move, but it has not been stopped. Perhaps Bush`s main dilemma here is found in a blunt conclusion in the book: "The Christian Right is too big for the Republican Party to ignore, but too controversial for it to endorse wholeheartedly" (p. 84).

Conclusions about the Christian Right are among the strongest values from this volume. First, don`t underestimate the dedication and commitment of these who lead this movement. For them, it is almost a life and death conflict in American culture. It is not just another political struggle. Second, moderates and liberal opponents of the Christian Right must refocus on the local political structures, duplicating the major successes of the Christian Right if they are ever to regain the momentum of the middle road. It is hard, laborious "grunt" work, but it is one of the keys to the Christian Right`s remarkable influence. Third, minorities in America, especially among the Hispanics (now the largest minority in the land) need to get into the political arena if their influence is ever to be felt and appreciated. How this conclusion is realized is not spelled out, but sooner or later it will happen. Fourth, the Christian Right would be far more influential if ever they could grasp the politics of compromise.

Again, simply stated, this is must reading for the contemporary student of American politics. To ignore this vivid reality puts one in serious peril!