The Political Participation of the New Christian Right in the 1980s: Rev. Jerry Falwell as the Case.

• Main Authors: Chan-yu, Kuo, 郭展裕
• Other Authors: 瞿海源
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 1999
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/29608455506603163808

碩士 === 淡江大學 === 美國研究所 === 87 === There was an unique political development in the mid 1970s: some conservative religious leaders who had followed their tradition of despising political participation established ever since the late nineteen century began to associate themselves with the political conservatives. What propelled our main character in this thesis- Jerry Falwell- to disregard one of his long held Funfamentalism theological traditions (no political participation) can be explained by both Status Politics theory and Culture Wars theory. In other words, while personal losses (the success of Civil Right Movement, plus the invasion of government to supervise the church schools and televised religious program did activated Falwell to enter the political arena, concern for United States’ morality decay (no more bible-study and prayer in the public school curriculum, gay right was granted, abortion was legalized, etc.) was also Falwell’s priority. New Christian Right (NCR)’s political achievement should be discussed in two aspects. On the Congressional and presidential elections, they didn’t show great leverage. In Congress, they failed to outlaw Roe v. Wade, Engel v. Vitale Abington Township and School District v. Schempp, the three Supreme Court decisions they most wished be overturned. As you know, political leverage depends on not only how many people you have on your side, but also how sophisticated you are in wielding your strength. NCR, however, lacked both. The movement ran out of gas after Reagan won his reelection in 1984.