The Moral Minority and the Savior

The American Left made an important discovery during the days of the antiwar movement: that one of the best networks in the United States supplying information, idealism, and legwork belongs to mainline religious organizations. Both the Institute for Policy Studies and Clergy and Laity Concerned have assiduously cultivated this national network, which operates simultaneously in most regions and cities of the country. The Left has splendid access to the religious news services. The speakers, pamphlets, and books of the Left are featured at many meetings, workshops, study groups, and summer camps around the land.

This network, in itself, is a neutral thing. But it is national in scope, instant in its ability to respond, and powerful in its reach. It is stronger in secular America than in religious America. One of its sworn opponents is “the Moral Majority,” which has had to go outside secular institutions to build a network of its own. Thus, “Moral Majority” now meets “Moral Minority.” Unable to re-elect Jimmy Carter, the latter managed to get great publicity for a pre-emptive blast at newly elected President Reagan on human rights last December. It has been particularly effective in blanketing the religious press with the Left’s version of events in El Salvador.

About the Author

Michael Novak

Michael Novak was a Catholic philosopher, journalist, novelist, and diplomat.

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The American Left made an important discovery during the days of the antiwar movement: that one of the best networks in the United States supplying information, idealism, and legwork belongs to mainline religious organizations. Both the Institute for Policy Studies and Clergy and Laity Concerned have assiduously cultivated this national network, which operates simultaneously in most regions and cities of the country. The Left has splendid access to the religious news services. The speakers, pamphlets, and books of the Left are featured at many meetings, workshops, study groups, and summer camps around the land.

This network, in itself, is a neutral thing. But it is national in scope, instant in its ability to respond, and powerful in its reach. It is stronger in secular America than in religious America. One of its sworn opponents is “the Moral Majority,” which has had to go outside secular institutions to build a network of its own. Thus, “Moral Majority” now meets “Moral Minority.” Unable to re-elect Jimmy Carter, the latter managed to get great publicity for a pre-emptive blast at newly elected President Reagan on human rights last December. It has been particularly effective in blanketing the religious press with the Left’s version of events in El Salvador.