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Religion as Political Motivation: Analyzing the Rhetoric of the Religious Right Through Three Case Studies

Schnug, Meredith
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=muhonors1111152376

Abstract Details

2003, Bachelor of Arts, Miami University, College of Arts and Sciences - Communication.
In the following chapters, I have tried to present a fair and accurate depiction of the Religious Right using its own words. However, I acknowledge my bias as an outsider of the movement. The first chapter of this work provides an overview of the Religious Right, addressing the movement's history, religious beliefs, and political involvement. In the next three chapters, I have used a modified case study format to analyze the rhetoric of the Religious Right. Similar to regular case studies, I have traced the chronologies of three different political issues, including the details of the policy making process, people and organizations involved, and the outcomes. Given the focus of my study, though, I have paid disproportionate attention to the arguments raised by the Religious Right. Also, rather than merely providing examples of Religious Right rhetoric, I have analyzed the purpose and motivation behind the communication employed by this movement. Chapter Two traces the debate and policy decision making surrounding President Bush's faith-based initiative. The Religious Right was a key player in this issue because Bush was counting on support from conservative Christians, but several organizations actually came out and criticized the president's plan. Important to note in this chapter is the Religious Right's strategic use of rhetoric to maintain political clout with Bush and, at the same time, ensure that its wishes were granted. Chapter Three examines the Religious Right's role in an issue on the state level, specifically, the Kansas State Board of Education's decision to remove evolution from the state science standards. The Kansas case is significant because it illustrates the Religious Right's shift in rhetoric in the evolution-creationism debate. Rather than raising arguments in support of the biblical account of creation, the Religious Right focused on scientific objections to evolution and proposed a new alternative theory called "intelligent design." Chapter Four is documents a case that occurred in a Florida county school district. As part of a national campaign initiated by a Religious Right organization, the school board was asked to post the national motto "In God We Trust" in every classroom. This case again illustrates the Religious Right's tendency to shift rhetorical tactics depending on the audience, and it also provides a complete picture of the several levels on which this movement operates. Finally, in Chapter Five, I have attempted to synthesize the rhetorical tactics used by the Religious Right in these three cases and to develop a rhetorical method that forms the foundation of the movement's political communication.
Ben Voth (Advisor)
Mass Communications

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Schnug, M. (2003). Religion as Political Motivation: Analyzing the Rhetoric of the Religious Right Through Three Case Studies [Undergraduate thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=muhonors1111152376

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Schnug, Meredith. Religion as Political Motivation: Analyzing the Rhetoric of the Religious Right Through Three Case Studies. 2003. Miami University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=muhonors1111152376.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Schnug, Meredith. "Religion as Political Motivation: Analyzing the Rhetoric of the Religious Right Through Three Case Studies." Undergraduate thesis, Miami University, 2003. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=muhonors1111152376

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2003, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Miami University Honors Theses and OhioLINK.
Release 3.2.12