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Moral Majority Coalition
The Moral Majority was probably the first of the radical religious right groups to gain national attention, although they never gained the same political clout as other organizations like the Christian Coalition. Founded in 1979 by Jerry Falwell, the Moral Majority's aim from the get-go was to become a political force. To that end, they began a massive voter registration drive and almost all those they registered became members of the Republican Party. Ten years later, the Moral Majority was on the verge of financial ruin and Falwell disbanded the group, but never gave up the dream.
Now, after what he calls the "'sweeping' re-election of President Bush and a new generation of conservative lawmakers nationwide", Falwell has announced the reincarnation of the Moral Majority: the Moral Majority Coalition. He's seeking more than 1 million charter members and wants to register over ten million members in the next four years. The MMC will have four main "platforms": a four-year voter registration drive conducted mainly through conservative churches and organizations (they don't want Americans to vote: they only want conservative Christians to vote); a "get-out-the-[conservative Christian]-vote" campaign in both 2006 and 2008; large scale mobilization of social conservatives using media, the internet and direct mail; and the formation of a continuous private and corporate prayer chain until American experiences a "moral renaissance."
Many people are skeptical about the ability of the MMC to survive: Falwell is notorious for starting new causes that go nowhere. But in the apparently pervasive atmosphere of bigotry and intolerance, apathy and ignorance in the US, this time, he might just succeed. For one thing, the internet has opened new doors— much cheaper doors— for recruiting and fundraising. MMC is starting business with a 300,000 name database. Sending out 300,000 emails costs nothing compared to sending out five million direct mailings through the US Postal Service. Donating is made easier online. You don't have to sit down and write out a check and then address an envelope and find a stamp and take it to the mailbox. With a couple clicks of the mouse, you can donate to virtually any group with an email address. With the opportunity to drastically cut costs and to massively increase donations to MMC, Falwell is confident his group will meet its agenda.
Again, like most of the other RRR groups, MMC tends to focus a lot of its time and efforts on insuring that gays continue to be discriminated against. The group has three main goals, one of which is passage of a federal marriage amendment, which Falwell incorrectly believes will put the issue out of reach of any future legislation that would all gays to marry. (He is incorrect because amendments to the US Constitution can be repealed.) In the meantime, the group is working towards passing marriage amendments in all fifty states.
With the announcement of the forming of the group and the list of the groups board members and chairmen, etc., one sees the "mingling" of RRR groups and the joining of resources. Tim LeHaye, husband of Beverly LeHaye, founder and chairman of Concerned Women for America, is the board director of the resurrected MMC. One can also see the "intermingling" of the RRR organizations in the support Falwell is receiving from other representatives of leading RRR groups, like the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins. Falwell also plans to use Liberty University students to help him meet his goals. (Liberty University was founded by Falwell.) But even with all these advantages, Falwell still has his work cut out for him. Polls show that he rates lowest among all leaders of the RRR with the nations more than 26 million evangelical Christians with less than 45% viewing him favorably. (Sadly, James Dobson had the highest rating.)
Whether or not the MMC survives is really irrelevant. The first MM didn't survive more than ten years, but the damaging legacy it left behind can still be seen in the current state of affairs in this great nation. How do we stop these kinds of groups from having the influence that they do? For that, please check out The Solution section.
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| Click on any of the links below to more read articles about the Moral Majority Coalition. |
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Fund Raising Letter |
| Synopsis: If an RRR group is forming, you can expect a fund raising letter. This is the letter sent out by Falwell outlining his ambitious plans on how to use the students of Liberty University, which he founded, as helpers in his voter registration and "get out the vote" campaigns. I wonder if the students have a choice or if it is a required activity? |
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The Moral Majority |
| Synopsis: The encyclopedia entry is small, but the list of articles about the Moral Majority— both in its current and former incarnations— contains many good links. The name may have changed slightly but the mission is essentially the same: to take political control of the US government and make this a Christian nation. |
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Welcome to the Resurrection |
| Synopsis: An excellent article by Bill Berkowitz on the re-emergence of the Moral Majority, including a history of the first moral majority and Jerry Falwell. |
All text © 2004-13 Shelly Strauss except where quotes with references are provided.
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