Jerry Falwell played a key role in the foundation of the Moral Majority. Williams’s states, “… the leading national Religious Right organization of the early 1980s offers a case study to explain why white evangelicals became full-fledged converts to the GOP not only on “moral” issues but matters of economics and national defense.” This demonstrates how morals and values began to influence the ways in which people mixed religion with politics. This is seen in opposition of movements like abortion, homosexuality, and the breakdown of the family. This brought about a drive to restore the moral foundation of America. This phenomenon was especially apparent in the rise of the Sunbelt.
Falwell changes his political notions as seen through the 1950s to the 1970s. Following Brown v. Board, Falwell opposed the idea of integration. He stated, “The true negro does not want integration,” he argued because it was the product of the “Devil himself.” However, as his congregation inched towards the middle class, he began distancing himself from segregationist policies and moved closer to the interests of the city’s Republican business leaders. Here, we see him shift his ideology in order to appeal to his ministry population which is meant to go along with getting people to listen to his message because of course, that gives him more of a platform for his theology.
Therefore, this influenced him to support business-minded religious markets, thereby influencing his views in economics as well. He says, “The free-enterprise system is clearly outlined in the Book of Proverbs,” he claimed “I think that we should take the shackles off business and get rid of outfits like OSHA.” Here, we see how his politics influence his religious ideology. He changes the beliefs that he has in order to fit the culture and counterculture of the time. His preaching then seems to become more about discussing what he believes to be wrong and justifying it with religious versus not believing in a cause because of religion. Therefore, there is a moralizing that happens within the broader themes of society.
Will Wright 