Fundamentalist Christians, Raunch Culture, and Post-industrial Capitalism

Abstract

This article argues that fundamentalist Christians are losing the political battle to transform the larger political culture in America. I suggest two primary and interrelated reasons why the Christian Right is losing the culture war. The first such reason has to do with the values of post-industrial capitalism. While not directly hostile to Christian values, capitalism believes in whatever sells (like pornography or non-marital sex). The second reason has to do with the vast changes in American sexual behaviour and attitudes as a result of the 1960s. The current sexual culture, combined with U.S. market culture, makes it virtually impossible for the Christian Right to win any of its political fights against pornography, gay marriage, sex education in public schools, etc.