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School

Liberty University *

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200

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Political Science

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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docx

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1 The Religious Right Ronnie Dailey Government 200 Liberty University Professor Norris 3/23/2023 The Religious Right The Religious Right is a political movement with a long and complex history in the United States. It emerged in the 1970s as a response to cultural and social changes that challenged traditional Christian values. The movement is characterized by conservative Christians who seek to promote their beliefs through political and social activism. The Religious Right has influenced public discourse around abortion, same-sex marriage, and school prayer. One of the key beliefs of the Religious Right is the importance of traditional family values. This includes opposition to abortion, same-sex marriage, and homosexuality. The movement is grounded in a literal interpretation of the Bible, which teaches that marriage should be between a

2 man and a woman and that life begins at conception (Schaeffer, 2019). The Religious Right also emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility, free markets, and limited government. The emergence of the Religious Right was partly a response to the liberalization of American society in the 1960s and 1970s. Many conservative Christians felt that cultural changes, including the rise of feminism, secularism, and the sexual revolution, were threatening their values. As a result, they became politically active, organizing around issues such as abortion and school prayer. Despite its initial success in the 1980s and 1990s, the influence of the Religious Right has declined in recent years. This is partly due to changing demographics, as younger Americans are less likely to identify with conservative Christianity (Schaeffer, 2019). Additionally, some Christians have become disillusioned with the movement, seeing it as too closely aligned with the Republican Party and lacking compassion for marginalized groups. Furthermore, the Religious Right has been criticized for being too focused on social issues at the expense of other important issues, such as poverty and environmental degradation. Some have also accused the movement of being intolerant of other religions and cultures and using its political power to discriminate against minority groups. In conclusion, the Religious Right is a political movement that seeks to promote conservative Christian values through political and social activism. While it has had significant influence, its power has waned in recent years due to changing demographics and criticism of its focus on social issues. Nonetheless, it remains an important force in American politics and continues to shape public discourse around issues related to religion, culture, and social values.