Jerry Falwell and the Rise of the Religious Right: A Series
The Legacy of a Political Deception
This series will explore the rise of the Religious Right and the role of Jerry Falwell Sr. in transforming white evangelicalism into a powerful political force. While the dominant narrative suggests that the movement was sparked by moral outrage over Roe v. Wade, the reality is far more complex—and troubling. This was never truly about abortion; it was about preserving white Christian dominance, opposing racial integration, and securing political power for conservatives. Over the next five posts, we will uncover the hidden history of this movement, beginning with its origins in the battle over segregation.
The Religious Right did not disappear when the Moral Majority officially disbanded in 1989. Instead, it evolved, adapting to new political realities while maintaining its core mission: securing political power under the guise of religious conviction. The movement’s influence extends far beyond its origins in the 1970s and continues to shape American politics, from Supreme Court rulings to culture war battles over education, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ equality.
The Religious Right’s Continued Political Influence
Although the Moral Majority dissolved, it left behind a well-established infrastructure that other conservative Christian organizations quickly filled. Groups like Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, and the Christian Coalition carried forward its agenda, ensuring that the Religious Right remained a dominant force in Republican politics.
The legacy of the movement is evident in multiple ways:
The Republican Party’s Platform: Over the past four decades, opposition to abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and progressive education policies has become central to Republican identity. The Religious Right successfully reshaped the party’s priorities, making social conservatism inseparable from its broader political agenda.
The Supreme Court’s Conservative Shift: The long-term strategy of the Religious Right was not just about winning elections but about shaping the judiciary. From appointing justices like Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas to more recent figures like Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, the movement’s influence on the courts has been profound. The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 was the culmination of decades of activism and political maneuvering by the Religious Right.
The Rise of Christian Nationalism: While earlier iterations of the movement focused on opposing abortion and secularism, the modern Religious Right has increasingly embraced Christian nationalism—the belief that the United States was founded as a Christian nation and must be governed according to biblical principles. This ideology has fueled efforts to restrict voting rights, rewrite American history, and challenge the separation of church and state.
Echoes of the Past: How the Religious Right Still Uses the Politics of Fear
From the beginning, the Religious Right has thrived on fear-based messaging. In the 1970s and 1980s, the threats were school desegregation, feminism, and secular humanism. Today, those fears have been repackaged under new names: “critical race theory,” “woke culture,” and “radical gender ideology.” The movement relies on manufactured moral panics to mobilize its base and justify its political agenda.
Much like Falwell’s early opposition to civil rights, modern leaders of the Religious Right frame progressive social changes as existential threats to Christian America. The rhetoric may have changed, but the underlying strategy remains the same: stoke outrage, consolidate power, and use religious language to justify discrimination and exclusion.
The Future of the Religious Right
Despite shifting demographics and declining church attendance, the Religious Right remains a formidable force in American politics. Its leaders have demonstrated an ability to adapt, embracing new technologies and communication strategies to spread their message. The movement continues to shape public discourse and policy from televangelists in the 1980s to social media influencers and conservative news networks today.
However, cracks are beginning to form. Younger evangelicals are increasingly rejecting the hardline politics of their predecessors, and the movement’s close association with figures like Donald Trump has alienated some traditional conservatives. The question moving forward is whether the Religious Right can sustain its influence or if internal divisions will weaken its hold on American politics.
Conclusion: Power, Not Principle
The history of the Religious Right is one of calculated political strategy, not unwavering moral conviction. Its leaders did not mobilize to defend the unborn but to protect their institutions from government interference. Abortion became a rallying cry not because of deep theological concern but because it provided a more palatable alternative to defending segregation.
Understanding this history is crucial because it reveals the motivations behind the movement’s ongoing battles. Religious rights are not fighting for moral values; they are fighting to maintain power. As it continues to influence laws, elections, and public discourse, recognizing its origins helps us challenge its claims and resist its efforts to reshape American democracy in its image.