All articles tagged with #religious right
James Dobson, a prominent evangelical leader and founder of Focus on the Family known for his conservative views on family, sexuality, and politics, died at 89. He was influential in shaping the religious right's stance on social issues and was a controversial figure due to his outspoken opposition to homosexuality, abortion, and other cultural changes.
Donald Trump addressed a gathering of religious broadcasters, emphasizing the threat from within the country and rallying Christian fundamentalists for support in the upcoming election. He highlighted his efforts to fight for Christians during his first term and promised to create a taskforce to counter "anti-Christian bias". The event showcased the central role of Christian fundamentalism in Trump's potential second term, with speakers praising him and envisioning reshaping the executive branch to maximize presidential power.
Mike Johnson, the new speaker of the House, has expressed support for revisiting landmark Supreme Court decisions on contraception, gay rights, and same-sex marriage. Johnson, known for his staunchly conservative views rooted in "biblical morality," has advocated for imprisoning doctors who perform abortions, displaying the Ten Commandments in public buildings, eliminating anti-hate-crime laws, and introducing Bible study in public schools. His endorsement of Justice Clarence Thomas's opinion has positioned him outside the mainstream, even among the conservative Supreme Court majority. Johnson's rhetoric taps into a "persecution complex" among evangelicals, who feel embattled in the face of progressive social changes. He has also been involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and has endorsed fringe conspiracies.
Evangelical Christian conservatives are celebrating the election of Mike Johnson as the new House Speaker, considering him one of their own due to his long history as a culture warrior and his commitment to conservative Christian values. However, progressive faith leaders are concerned about Johnson's opposition to LGBTQ rights and his support for former President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. They worry that Johnson's narrow religious vision may be imposed on the rest of the country. Johnson's background includes serving as a professor at Liberty University, being involved with the Southern Baptist Convention, and working with organizations that advocate for causes valued by the religious right.
Pat Robertson, the celebrity minister who died on Thursday, envisioned a nation where conservative Christian values reigned in the halls of power. He built a media empire and openly sought to leverage his popularity among evangelicals to influence government and the culture. Although he failed to channel his evangelistic popularity into Republican political might when he ran for president in 1988, the alliance between evangelical Christianity and Republican politics has fused, even as America has grown increasingly secular. Robertson's legacy has left a mixed impact on conservative Christianity's political successes and influence in culture.