America's moral majority'

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as moa m

dominantly white and substantial financial backmiddle class, and it has ing to buy air time on teleFrom the CPSA Bulletin of the British Library 'The moral majority' (ITV, 3rd November), narrated turbing documentary which outlined the evangelical • vival in America - apparently growing at a phenomenal rate (A present mailing list includes 4,500,000 subscribers).

It was disturbing because this movement represents a new strand of reaction which complements Reagan's policies. It was particularly alarming because of their attitude towards women.

Institution

According to the fundamentalists no one is a person in their own right. We are merely vessels for 'God's will'. The traditional family (1.e. the father out at work and the muther at home raising children that are totally answerable to their parents' demands and expectations) is seen as the most important institution in life, and the state should therefore "interfere' as little as possible.

Pillars

The logical follow-on trom this, of course, is that abortion is totally immoral because it takes away 'God-given' life; that promiscuity is the result of the pill; that homosexuality is a disease to be stamped out; and that women should stay at home to produce good, clean-living upright pillars of American society.

This movement is preFrom 'PSA Bulletin of the British Library vision and radio and its 'messag..

Legitimised

One supporter, when challenged by Frost about the similarities between the new evangelical movement and the Muslim fundamentalists in Iran, said that the difference was that he in no way sought political power or office but was merely a 'humble soldier of God. This however, does not explain the wheeling and dealing behind the scenes in Washington, one result of which is a 'Christian' blacklist of Senators and Representatives.

These fundamentalists believe that excessive publie spending is morally wrong because it causes inflation which adversely affect the poor. This kind of ideology reinforces Reagan's monetarist policy. which seeks to mutilaie welfare services and let the weakest go to the wall. in the drive to reverse capitalısm s falling rate of profit.

Forcing women to go back into the home through cuts in the publie services to perform the same tasks but for no pay, is central to this programme (as in this country) but is now further legitimised by this new wave of religion, which preaches the removal of every right that American women have fought for over many years.

clock back is the result of economic decline coupled with fear and ignorance. It provides seemingly simple answer to society s 'ills' — i.e. to buckle down and accept your lot (which is all very well if you're white and middle classi.

Evangelical The belief that we should all sit back and accept the working of 'God's will' is a ludicrous concept for the working class, particularly working class women who are bearing the brunt of unemployment and low wages both here and in the US.

This evangelical revival should be expused for the backward and reactionary force that it is and must be opposed with demands which will take the working class ; forward, rather than being driven back into the dark ages.

KAREN HARRIS

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Ignorance This attempt to turn the