Preachers Or Politicians: The Religious Fundamentalist Conservative Movement in America

Abstract

Abstract : This research paper analyzes religious fundamentalism and its relationship to politics from an American perspective. Chapter 1 defines the scope of the research, which consists of an analysis of the modern religious conservative fundamentalist movement. It compares the political activities of two organizations within this movement - the Moral Majority and the Christian Coalition. The paper discusses why these organizations involved themselves in politics, what direction their political activities took, and the reasons for their success or failure. In addition, the paper seeks to prove the following thesis: When religious fundamentalists involve themselves in politics, success dictates they sacrifice their fundamentalist tendencies to gain political power, often to the extent that they can no longer define themselves as fundamentalists. Chapter 2 provides historical background concerning the rise of the modern religious conservative fundamentalist movement. Chapter 3 analyzes the Moral Majority and the concept of coercion. Chapter 4 analyzes the Christian Coalition and the concept of Union. Chapter 5 concludes with a summary of the author's research findings and conclusions. (10 refs.)