ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the outlines of the emerging "two-party" system among contemporary American Protestant clergy, based on conflicting religious worldviews and expressed in dramatically different political commitments. During the late 1970s and 1980s, however, the balance shifted dramatically as conservative pastors went public, both in preaching from the pulpit and in weekday political action, of particular concern were issues related to traditional morality and "family values". The presidential campaign of 1988 provided an almost ideal opportunity to assess pastoral politics. The chapter examines how denominational affiliation and theological orthodoxy influenced their political attitudes and behaviors during the 1988 election, including social and political agendas; views on political issues; partisan orientations; presidential candidate preferences; and activism during the presidential campaign. According to previous research and conventional wisdom, orthodox and modernist clergy have differing political and social agendas. The Southern Baptists' campaign activism suggests that the global figures hide denominational differences.
