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TERMINOLOGY The term ''Christian Right'' has been criticized as pejorative by leaders of conservative Christian groups, along with phrases such as Theocrat and Religious Extremist . Some writers characterize these terms as representing Christianophobia , while some writers such as American journalist Kevin Phillips, feel the terms accurately describe the movement. The tendency of some critics of the Christian Right to use the terms Christian Fundamentalist or evangelical as if these terms were equivalent is seen as problematic by a wide range of commentators. Others have suggested that "Christian right" may be preferable to "Christian Right," insofar as the latter implies a higher degree of unity than the movement actually displays. At the same time, fundamentalists across several religions often share with the Christian Right certain positions on specific issues such as women's and gay rights, separation of religion and government, and opposition to evolving moral standards. So even though many leaders of the Christian Right are outspoken critics of radical Islam, conservative Christians, Muslims, and Jews sometimes cooperate in national and international projects, especially through the United Nations. The term is complicated by the appropriation of "Christian" by members of the evangelical-doctrine churches for their particular brand of Christianity. Used in another sense, "Christian Right" may describe a more benign association of individuals from a wide variety of theological beliefs, ranging from moderately traditional movements within Lutheranism and Catholicism to theologically more conservative movements such as Evangelicalism , Pentecostalism and Fundamentalist Christianity . HISTORY Jerome Himmelstein writes that: :"The term New Religious Right refers to a set of organizations that emerged in the late 1970s, the Moral Majority (later renamed the Liberty Federation ), the Religious Roundtable , and the Christian Voice ; their leaders, including Robert Grant , Pat Robertson , Jerry Falwell , and Ed McAteer ; and the movement that these leaders and organizations fostered. Though this movement made a broad, religiously based conservative appeal, its deepest roots and most lasting impact were among white evangelicals and fundamentalist Christians (p. 97)." The beginnings of "The Christian Right" as a nascent political movement began when evangelicals began organizing against a series of Supreme Court decisions, notably Roe V. Wade and also engaged in local battles over Pornography , Obscenity , Tax ation of private Christian schools, School Prayer , Textbook contents (concerning evolution), homosexuality and Abortion . As a modern political force, the Christian Right began in 1974 when Dr. Robert Grant founded American Christian Cause to advocate Christian moral teachings in Southern California. Concerned that Christians overwhelmingly voted in favor of President Jimmy Carter in 1976, Grant founded Christian Voice to mobilize Christian voters in favor of candidates who share their values. Grant involved national conservative leaders including Gary Jarmin , Howard Phillips , Terry Dolan , and Richard Viguerie in his movement and made national headlines when Christian Voice-backed candidates including Ronald Reagan , Steve Symms , Dan Quayle , and John East defeated entrenched incumbents in the 1978 and 1980 elections.. After Grant ousted Phillips, Dolan, and Viguerie several years later, the trio went on to recruit Jerry Falwell to build a new Christian Right organization, the Moral Majority . Grant's movement was said to have played a significant role in the election of President Ronald Reagan in 1980 and dozens of immitators were founded including Concerned Women For America , American Coalition For Traditional Values , and the Christian Coalition . ISSUES Positions labeled "Christian Right", but sometimes held by only a minority of those commonly considered "Christian Right" include:
It is difficult to pinpoint the issue of race among the Christian Right. There are a sizeable amount of non-white members of this faction. However, they tend to have universal opposition to Affirmative Action , in belief that it is reverse discrimination. Many have also voiced opposition to government-funded Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Most of the Christian Right have also been staunch opponents of Illegal Immigration . In the past, southern U.S. Christian Right groups generally advocated and practiced racial segregation, but this is not openly advocated today by most of the Christian Right movement. Additionally, many midwestern Holiness and Pentecostal churches were founded by abolitionists and largely opposed segregation. Groups such as the Promise Keepers , which are allied with the Christian Right, encourage participation by men of all races in their activities, and have encouraged discussions of Race and Racism . U.S. FOREIGN POLICY AND CHRISTIAN ZIONISM Many in the Christian Right refer to Apocalyptic and other Biblical Prophecy in their support of Israel , and support of Israel is often seen as a matter of Biblical Doctrine . Israel figures prominently in the school of interpretation of Biblical prophecy called '' Premillennial Dispensationalism '', which with regard to its political implications contributes significantly to the movement sometimes called Christian Zionism . According to , 2003 , nine days after the city had fallen to American troops. DOMINIONISM See Also: Dominionism Some critics of the Christian Right including Sara Diamond and Frederick Clarkson claim that the Christian Right's political agendas are a form of Dominionism influenced by Dominion Theology and Christian Reconstructionism ; the latter two are related philosophies that regard The Bible as the only strictly true reference for civics, government, scientific theory or any scholarly pursuit. Many in the Christian Right oppose this point of view, and no major Christian Right leader has gone on record as advocating Reconstructionism. According to sociologist and professor of religion William Martin {Link without Title} , author of ''With God on Our Side'', however: :"It is difficult to assess the influence of Reconstructionist thought with any accuracy. Because it is so genuinely radical, most leaders of the Religious Right are careful to distance themselves from it. At the same time, it clearly holds some appeal for many of them. One undoubtedly spoke for others when he confessed, 'Though we hide their books under the bed, we read them just the same.' In addition, several key leaders have acknowledged an intellectual debt to the theonomists. Jerry Falwell and D. James Kennedy have endorsed Reconstructionist books. Rushdoony has appeared on Kennedy's television program and the 700 Club several times. Pat Robertson makes frequent use of 'dominion' language; his book, ''The Secret Kingdom'', has often been cited for its theonomy elements; and pluralists were made uncomfortable when, during his presidential campaign, he said he 'would only bring Christians and Jews into the government,' as well as when he later wrote, 'There will never be world peace until God's house and God's people are given their rightful place of leadership at the top of the world.' And Jay Grimstead, who leads the Coalition on Revival, which brings Reconstructionists together with more mainstream evangelicals, has said, 'I don't call myself Reconstructionist ,' but 'A lot of us are coming to realize that the Bible is God's standard of morality . . . in all points of history . . . and for all societies, Christian and non-Christian alike. . . . It so happens that Rushdoony, Bahnsen, and North understood that sooner.' He added, 'There are a lot of us floating around in Christian leadership James Kennedy is one of them-who don't go all the way with the theonomy thing, but who want to rebuild America based on the Bible.'" (Martin 1996:354) Political groups and individuals that worry about how dominionism influences the Christian Right include People For The American Way , Americans United For Separation Of Church And State , Interfaith Alliance , and the Freedom From Religion Foundation , Joan Bokaer and Katherine Yurica [http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm . Sara Diamond warns, however, that while dominionism has influenced the Christian Right, liberals too often use hyperbolic language to describe the activities and goals of the Christian Right. {Link without Title} PRO-REPUBLICAN POLITICAL ACTIVISM National organizations (including the Christian Coalition and Christian Voice ) and local churches have engaged in voter registration drives and Get-out-the-vote efforts, targeting people likely to vote for Republican candidates and using materials that portray Republicans more favorably than Democrats . {Link without Title} The Christian Right has also worked to promote expressly partisan Republican campaigning. For example, during the "told the congregation that anyone who planned to vote for Democratic Sen. John Kerry Democratic presidential candidate in 2004 should either leave the church or Repent ". [http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-05-07-church-politics_x.htm] The church later expelled nine members who had voted for Kerry and refused to repent. {Link without Title} CONTRASTING VIEWPOINTS The Christian Right, while being a fairly large movement, does not represent all evangelicals. Some who are theologically conservative are politically liberal, such as Tony Campolo and Stanley Hauerwas . The Christian Left includes some theological conservatives. Many evangelicals in both the United States and abroad are more or less politically neutral. NOTABLE PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS SAID TO BE MEMBERS OF THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT Fred Phelps , (founder of Godhatesfags.com ) has never had a significant following. Other figures, such as the controversial Robert Grant , Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson , built coalitions but made overzealous statements that then lost their broader bases of support. Australia Canada
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Organisations USA People
Organizations & submovements
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Contrast: Christian Left EXTERNAL LINKS (CRITICAL)
EXTERNAL LINKS (SUPPORTIVE) REFERENCES
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