Religious Right (Noun)
Meaning
United States political faction that advocates social and political conservativism, school prayer, and federal aid for religious groups and schools.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The Religious Right has been a significant force in American politics since the 1970s, shaping policy debates on issues such as abortion and gay marriage.
- As a key constituency within the Republican Party, the Religious Right has helped determine the party's stance on social issues.
- Some critics argue that the Religious Right's emphasis on Christian values undermines the separation of church and state enshrined in the US Constitution.
- Evangelical ministers, such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, have played prominent roles in mobilizing the Religious Right around issues like school prayer and federal funding for faith-based initiatives.
- Since the 1980s, the Religious Right has been a crucial supporter of conservative Republican presidential candidates, including Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush.