Christian Coalition

Definition

The Christian Coalition is a conservative political organization founded in 1989 that aims to mobilize Christian voters in the United States, particularly focusing on issues like family values, religious freedom, and traditional morality. This organization played a significant role in the rise of the Religious Right during the late 20th century, especially during the Reagan era, by influencing elections and shaping public policy in favor of conservative Christian viewpoints.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Christian Coalition was established by Pat Robertson and others to unify various Christian groups under a common political agenda.
2. In the 1990s, the organization was influential in mobilizing millions of evangelical voters for Republican candidates, particularly during the elections of 1994 and 1996.
3. The coalition focused on issues such as opposition to abortion, support for school prayer, and traditional marriage laws, which resonated with its base.
4. By utilizing grassroots campaigning and leveraging media, the Christian Coalition helped to create a national network of local chapters to increase political engagement among Christians.
5. The organization's influence began to wane in the early 2000s due to internal conflicts and shifts in public opinion on social issues.

Review Questions

• How did the Christian Coalition impact the political landscape during the Reagan era?
  • The Christian Coalition significantly impacted the political landscape during the Reagan era by mobilizing evangelical voters and aligning them with the Republican Party. They were instrumental in advocating for conservative policies that reflected Christian values, such as anti-abortion measures and educational reforms. Their grassroots efforts helped to secure key electoral victories for conservative candidates, thereby solidifying the alliance between Christianity and conservatism in American politics.
• Discuss the strategies employed by the Christian Coalition to influence public policy and elections in the 1990s.
  • The Christian Coalition employed various strategies to influence public policy and elections, including grassroots organizing, voter registration drives, and targeted campaigns that addressed specific issues like abortion and family values. They utilized media effectively to communicate their messages and mobilize supporters. Additionally, they formed coalitions with other conservative groups to amplify their influence on local and national levels, ultimately impacting election outcomes by increasing turnout among evangelical voters.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of the Christian Coalition's rise on American politics and its legacy within contemporary conservatism.
  • The rise of the Christian Coalition had lasting effects on American politics by integrating religious beliefs into mainstream conservatism and shaping the Republican Party's platform for decades. Their emphasis on social issues created a strong voter base among evangelicals, which remains influential today. However, as societal views on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and abortion have evolved, the coalition's rigid stance has faced challenges. The legacy of their activism is seen in ongoing debates about the role of religion in politics and how it aligns with modern conservative values.

Related terms

Religious Right: A political movement made up of conservative Christian groups that seeks to influence public policy and politics based on their religious beliefs.

Moral Majority: A prominent American political organization founded by Jerry Falwell in 1979, which aimed to promote conservative Christian values and was instrumental in the rise of the Religious Right.

Reagan Revolution: The period during Ronald Reagan's presidency characterized by a conservative shift in American politics, including tax cuts, deregulation, and a strong emphasis on traditional family values.