Catholics and the Christian right: A view from four states

Christian Right Organizations in the 1990s have tried to avoid the pitfalls for the religious particularism that undermined the earlier efforts of suc h groups as Moral Majority to build long lasting political coalitions. For many Christian Right leaders, conservative Catholics appear to be a particu larly appealing group to reach for membership recruitment and political coa lition-building. Yet such leading groups as the Christian Coalition have la rgely experienced disappointment with such efforts. This essay presents data that offer reasons why conservative Catholics migh t be willing to form political coalitions with activists of the Christian R ight but remain reluctant to join Christian Right organizations. The findin gs are based on a large survey of Republican party state convention delegat es in four states. The data show that Catholic delegates hold very conserva tive issue positions in line with Christian Right organizations, and have p ositive feelings toward Christian Right leaders and organizations. Yet Cath olic delegates hold somewhat distinctive positions among Republicans on cer tain issues, and therefore remain reluctant to join the Christian Coalition and other such groups.