They allowed Trump to be elected and all the Republican candidates today are betting on them for the primaries. Believers and activists on the Christian religious right are so influential that several pundits are already crowning the movement the “big winner” in the race. “They’ve already won, they got what they wanted,” says André Gagné, full professor at Concordia University.
A musical performance and a prayer open the politico-religious conference Road to Majority, organized by the Faith & Freedom coalition in Washington at the end of June and webcast. A perfect opportunity for the Republican candidates to seduce this ultra-conservative electorate necessary for their victory.
“Together we are warriors […] and we restore our republic as a single nation under the aegis of God, with freedom and justice for all”, launches the candidate Donald Trump in front of a conquered crowd.
One by one, the candidates parade on stage, delivering their galvanized speech filled with electoral promises crisscrossed with Judeo-Christian biblical metaphors to which the crowd reacts strongly. “Now is the time to stand up for the truth. Now is the time to proudly put on the armor of God,” exclaims candidate Ron DeSantis.
Ralph Reed, founder of the Faith & Freedom coalition, leaves no doubt about his intentions to see the religious right take over the White House. “After 50 years of prayers and fasts, door to door, candidate elections and changing the culture of our country, the decree Roe v. wade has been invalidated, he claims. It’s not the ultimate victory, because we still have a lot to do. »
Indispensable electorate
“The Christian right is organized. It’s a perfectly oiled machine, explains Professor André Gagné. They have the networks, the money and an absolutely phenomenal mobilization capacity. [Elle] succeeds in defining clear objectives in order to defend Judeo-Christian values, despite the presence of various currents. We do not find this cohesion within the left. »
The history professor at the cégep de Trois-Rivières Francis Langlois also speaks of a block of essential and easily mobilized voters. “They have demonstrated that they are capable of attracting a large mass of the electorate. Before, we saw them little, now they are everywhere, ”he adds.
The influence of the Christian right on American society today is undeniable. ” [Elle] managed to make [son] ideology relatively mainstream », mentions Mr. Langlois. The invalidation of the judgment Roe v. wade in June 2022 testifies to this influence, but also to the effectiveness of this politico-religious coalition. The Christian religious right is well and truly in the saddle to continue its crusade against the progressive values that have been making their way since the 1960s.
trump the chosen one
Despite his run-ins with the law and all the scandals surrounding him, the outgoing president still enjoys undeniable support from the Christian right. The actions taken defending the values of the religious right during his presidency are highly significant: the appointment of three ultra-conservative judges to the Supreme Court and nearly 300 federal judges, the facilitation of the transfer of the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem or his presence in marches against abortion.
“Trump kept his promises. He protected their rights,” explains Professor Gagné. According to him, denying Trump to go for another Republican candidate is therefore an unlikely strategy for this bloc of voters.
There is no doubt for the two experts met by The duty : the race is essentially played to determine which of Trump and DeSantis will be the greatest spokesperson for this religious right. As Mr. Gagné explains: “We cannot envisage a candidate who would not take into account the elements, the concerns of American Christians, it is absolutely inconceivable. »