Internet pornography. School prayer. Gay days at Walt Disney World. The War on Iraq. These are among the hot-button issues for the burgeoning coalition of Conservative Christians in the United States-a group so influential that many believe the fortunes of the Republican and Democratic parties rest on their political views. How have they coalesced into such a formidable force?

A timely exploration of the political history, growth, and impact of one of the most powerful religious groups in the United States.

Conservative Christians and Political Participation examines the involvement and influence of the growing number of Conservative Christians in America. A historical overview of the interaction of religion and politics from colonial times to today sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the demographics of this group, the concerns they share, and the creative methods they employ to achieve their goals through protests, political activity, leadership, and group organization.

Case studies tackle highly emotional issues like same-sex marriage, decency in the mass media, school prayer, euthanasia, and American foreign policy toward Israel. The book also covers leaders such as Pat Buchanan and Ralph Reed, and discusses how they have been effective in their lobbying efforts through organizations like the Christian Action Network and the American Family Association.

• Chronology of the major events, court cases, and legislative enactments from colonial times to the present
• Original documents include a social scientific analysis of the 2000 General Social Survey as well as other data sources