> The religious right has certainly declined if you measure it primarily
> by membership in some organizations and their influence appears to have
> faded if you focus narrowly on the culture wars. But a broader analysis
> shows they aren't exactly powerless. They've changed and adapted. I
> think it would be foolish to write them off and naively assume they pose
> no threat. - Tom
I wouldn't say that they pose no threat, but that the grassroots movement that existed has certainly waned. Grassroots support and activism is what gives a movement power in the first place--we all know how easily astroturf campaigns can be defeated by real campaigns.
People have been talking about several things here: the grassroots relgious right, the culture wars, and elected and appointed officials (i.e. John Ashcroft) who could be said to have come out of the grassroots movement. I think that the case can be made that the grassroots movement has declined significantly and that the religious right "lost" the culture wars.
The true test of the religious right's power might be seen after a loss by Bush. Ashcroft and other who have roots in the religious right may have power now, but what happens after they are booted from office. Will the religious right make a comeback in response? I don't think so, as the opposition to the Democrats now takes the form of a very secular rabid opposition as seen and heard via right wing media. Is the relgious right going to resurrect itself after a Kerry victory? I just don't see this happening, especially given the depoliticization going on right now in fundamentalist churches and the growign organization and power of moderate and progressive religious people.
Chuck