God in the Corridors of Power: Christian Conservatives, the Media, and Politics in America is a comprehensive study of Christian conservative power in America's political culture -- how it was achieved, how it is maintained, and where it is going. It came about in part because of an enduring influence in the school room, the seminary and in the pulpit, and in part because conservatives are so skilled at using commercial and non-commercial media, including religious media, to disseminate their views to broader audiences. Though their power has waxed and waned, they continue to be a potent force in public policy today. The authors argue that the astonishing electoral successes of Christian conservatives at all levels of national, state and local government was made possible by linking political, social, media and religious interests with an emerging consensus about what constitutes a conservative mindset in American politics. Christian conservatives unquestionably have been the most significant component in a coalition of religious conservatives, traditionalist conservatives and neoconservatives that has driven the Republican Party now for almost two generations. This multifaceted understanding of Christian conservative activists in religion and politics traces the impact Christian conservatives have had on American Christianity as a whole while also examining the limitations imposed on the Christian conservative agenda by American civil religion, the Constitution and case law. The authors explore women's reproductive rights in the debate over contraception and abortion, and gay civil rights in the debate over gay marriage and family rights. The debate over intelligent design and evolution is examined in the context of the campaign to transform public school education. The run-up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq is scrutinized against the background of the declared "war on terrorism." While the conservative religious and secular coalition within the Republican Party began to fragment even before the end of George W. Bush's first term in office, it remained a powerful force in the 2004 and 2008 elections. The book concludes with some thoughts about the impact of Christian conservatives in politics, media and religion in the future. - Publisher.

God in the corridors of power : Christians conservative, the media, and politics in America

Michael Ryan, Les Switzer, Michael Ryan undifferentiated

Ryan, Michael, 1945-; Switzer, Les

Greenwood Publishing Group, Incorporated

Libraries Unlimited, Incorporated

Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger

Praeger/ABC-CLIO

ABC-CLIO, LLC

Santa Barbara, California, California, 2009

United States, United States of America

Santa Barbara, Calif, cop. 2009

PS, 2009

Includes bibliographical references and index.

God In The Corridors Of Power: Christian Conservatives, The Media, And Politics In America Offers A Multifaceted Understanding Of Christian Conservative Activists In Politics Today. Authors Michael Ryan And Les Switzer Argue That The Astonishing Electoral Successes Of Christian Conservatives At All Levels Of Government Was Made Possible, Not Only By A Coalition Of Political Interests, But Also Because Of An Emerging Consensus On What Constitutes A Conservative Mindset In America. Ryan And Switzer Further Maintain That Religious Conservatives Would Not Have Succeeded As Well As They Have Without Their Ownership Of And/or Influence Over Commercial, As Well As Noncommercial Media, To Disseminate Their Ideas And Attitudes. In The Course Of Its Analysis, This Book Frames The History, Theology, And Social Dynamics Of Christian Conservatism In The Context Of Changes In America's Economy And Society Over The Past Century. Using Case Studies Throughout, It Profiles The Impact Of Christian Conservative Personalities And Issues On The Media, Explores The Meaning Of Political Conservatism, And Profiles The Conservative Mindset In America. It Also Examines The Limits Of Christian Conservative Power In America's Political Culture And Demonstrates The Ways In Which Christian Conservative Activists Gain And Exercise Political Power. --book Jacket. Christian Conservatives : Past And Present -- Media, Religion, And Politics : Conservative Voices -- American Conservatism : A Jungle Of Twisted Thoughts -- The Constitution And Civil Religion : Obstacles To Christian Conservatives -- Sex, Gender, And Religion : The Contraception And Abortion Conundrum -- Sex, Gender, And Religion : The Gay Marriage And Family Conundrum -- Science, Theology, And Charles Darwin's Legacy -- Terrorism, Media, And Religion : From 9/11 To Afghanistan -- Militarism, Media, And Religion : From Afghanistan To Iraq -- Conclusion : A Christian Life In American Politics. Michael Ryan And Les Switzer. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

xiv, 504 p. ; 25 cm
Includes bibliographical references and index
Christian conservatives : past and present -- Media, religion, and politics : conservative voices -- American conservatism : "a jungle of twisted thoughts" -- The constitution and civil religion: obstacles to Christian conservatives -- Sex, gender, and religion : the contraception and abortion conundrum -- Sex, gender, and religion : the gay marriage and family conundrum -- Science, theology, and Charles Darwin's legacy -- Terrorism, media, and religion : from 9/11 to Afghanistan -- Militarism, media, and religion : from Afghanistan to Iraq -- Conclusion : a Christian life in American politics

A multi-layered reading of the many roles conservative Christian activists play in America's political culture. It provides a level of context and perspective on the relationships among contemporary conservative Christian activism, the media, and politics in the United States.

2023-06-28