The Religious Right was an alliance of conservative, evangelical Christians who wanted religion in American politics in the 1980s. Also called the Moral Majority or the New Right, the Religious Right wanted the government to pass legislation that overturned the ruling of the Roe v. Wade court case decision that legalized abortion and wanted restrictions on issues such as porn, prayers in schools, and homosexuality.
The Religious Right was a combination of Christian religious leaders, fringe political groups, and conservative business leaders. Among its leaders are Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell. In 1979 Reverend Jerry Falwell founded the Moral Majority to preach about sexual permissiveness, feminism, gay rights, and abortion. Pat Robertson helped the group by forming the Christian Broadcasting Network to send his message out to the masses. Members of the Right were also called "movement conservatives." The Moral Majority of the 1980s was a reflection of sixties radicalism. It recalls the New Left or the Left Wing protest movements of the 60s.
Members of the Religious Right preached about success against abortion, feminism, gay rights, and permissiveness. The movement conservatives practiced "identity politics" but were christian or pro life voters. The Right started in the late 1970s and 1980s in response to the Roe v. Wade court decision. The court's decision guranteed the right to abortion. The Religious Right believed in the "right for life." The movement declared that "the personal was now political." What in the past had been personal matters (such as gender roles, homosexuality, prayer) became the organizing ground for a powerful political movement. The Right succeeded in opposing abortion and porn, marginalizing religion in American public life, and getting prayer in public schools. The Religious Right gave their support to President Ronal Regan in the 1980s and the Republican party and was crucial in his election.
The Religious Right spread their message through preaching about their beliefs. As well, the Religious Right sponsored Christian bookstores, television evangelists, and radio stations. They used radio, cable tv, and direct-mail marketing to preach their message. Televangelists reached huge audiences, became aggressive political advocates of conservative causes, and collected billions of dollars. Supporters used tactics of civil disobedience. Protesters in the 80s blocked entrances to abortion clinics. The Religious Right also had prayer meetings. The Moral Majority received a lot of money and registered between 2 million and 3 million votes. Scandals would not shake the faith as leaders often fell from grace later in the decade.
"AIDS IS NOT JUST GOD'S PUNISHMENT FOR THE HOMOSEXUALS; IT'S GOD'S PUNISHMENT FOR THE SOCIETY THAT TOLERATES HOMOSEXUALS."
-JERRY FALWELL
The Religious Right connects with the other topics because it is a form of moral reform. These evangelists were preaching Christian morals into everyday society. In the past, the Silent Majority was war veterans and supporters who were for the war but not in the streets. A lot of people that were for the war but weren't voicing their opinions were right winged (republicans). The Religious Right consisted of right winged people, as well. The Silent Majority happened in the 60s and 80s, as did the Religious Right. Nixon supported the Silent Majority, who was religious and Republican, as well as his followers. Members of the Religious Right were religious and Republican. The Religious Right also connects with temperance because women were trying to get rid of drinking. Religion and moral values run all the way through these topics. In the past, the religious people were the ones who wanted prohibition and temperance. Religious people have always been prominent in politics and catalysts of change.
The Religious Right had long term effects and impacts. It was a threat to Church-State Separation during the 1980s. Also, it paved the way for televangelism today. There are many religious TV shows and talks nowadays. The New Right is still commercial to this day. The supporters and many other people want religion to be taught in school and advocate for it. Also, there are many people nowadays who advocate against abortion, gays, and rape. The Religious Right and its beliefs continues on to this day, even if it is not a specific political group.