The Religious Right in America: A Historical Encyclopedia

The American Religious Right is widely credited for influencing the 1980, 1984, 1994, and 2004 national elections, but this movement's history--and footprint--extends far beyond a 25-year period. This single-volume work is the only one of its kind to trace the development, history, and current status of the Religious Right, one of the most vocal social campaigns in the United States today. The book explains every major element of the cause, delving into the key players, events, and issues while establishing their significance within the cultural and political history of America.

Through alphabetically arranged entries, fascinating primary source documents, and a detailed chronology, author Tom Head addresses important aspects of the crusade, including its roots in the fundamentalist movement of the Gilded Age; the emergence of the Religious Right as a cohesive political bloc; the landslide election of Ronald Reagan as president; and the defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment. The work assesses the strengths of democratic institutions and civic culture in the United States along with potential challenges to civil society. It also explores how religion has responded to social challenges in the modern era.