Introduction

This part introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters. The part proposes that Jerry Falwell's particular mixture of religion and politics has its foundation in the biblical theme of the jeremiad. It describes the entrance of the New Christian Right into the political arena and its development as a more effective political force. The part argues that much of the Christian Right's political effectiveness is derived from its alliance with conservative probusiness groups. It explores the religious and nonreligious reasons behind the Christian Right's antiabortion position, as well as the reasons behind the proabortion position of other activists suoh as feminists. The part discusses the characteristics of those individuals who support the major Christian Right political-action organization—the Moral Majority. It presents data describing the role of this organization, and the Christian Right in general, in the victories of Ronald Reagan in 1980 and 1984.