Cultural War: Conflicts Between Social Groups and the General Society - Essay Sample

Introduction

Numerous social groups have struggled for the dominance of their cultural beliefs, values, and practices over the years. Moreover, there has been a contemporary debate on issues such as abortion, homosexuality, and other several practices about morality, values, and ways of living (Falwell 1). The problems have caused significant conflicts between the general society and the social groups involved in such practices leading to cultural war. Additionally, religious right includes Christian political affairs that strongly support socially conservative principles and policies. Religious freedom has advanced its traditional position on cultural practices such as homosexuality, contraception, and pornography.

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The cornerstone of the religious right was as a result of an alliance between Catholic bishops and the evangelical church leaders. Jerry Falwell urged Christian leaders to participate in the political process to respond to the rise of the religious right. In the 1980s, ethical citizens actively opposed issues like abortion (Smith 9). They rigorously wanted the restriction of taxpayers from funding abortions. They advocated for the amendment of the constitution to restore the right to life for the unborn children. However, many citizens entirely had differences on the issue. The decision of the Supreme Court to make an abortion a right under constitution led to the rise of religious freedom. Moreover, the religious right has engaged in conflicts over abortion, gambling, obscenity, and also sexual education.

The religious right was not only a creation of conservative movement but also resulted from evangelical infrastructure and the subcultures that were growing. The emergence of social issues also promoted the rise of the religious right (Lewis 16). The social items became a matter of concern because America was partially transformed into a post-industrial society. The issues also lead to post materialistic values. Moreover, there were complications and even contradictions in the changes in gender roles.

America being a post-industrial society, politics were also transformed. There were growing affluence, better education, and a well-embraced tertiary sector. Industrialism led to values like self-fulfillment, freedom, and people are prone to cultural change. Freedom enabled people to do whatever they desired. Moreover, changes in gender roles led to increased women in paid jobs (Smith 9). There were also increased divorce rates, later marriages, and the evolution of sexual mores. Women were on the move to criticize the traditional roles of women. They also wanted economic and social independence and the ability to have control over their bodies. Additionally, specific issues like abortion rights symbolized women had been alienated from traditional roles. James Hunter suggested for a fundamental split that would divide across religious, political, ethical, and sexual lines.

Again, the cultural war was as a result of the emergence of moral disarray and revival, which was symbolized by gospel and gangster rap. Buchanan made the idea concerning the religion by arguing that it is an excellent struggle for America. He defined issues like feminism, abortion, and gay marriages. This made cultural war to become a matter of discussion in the media (Buchanan 1).The cultural war involved disagreements between the values termed as conservative and liberal values. James Davison argued that the increased cases of social issues led to the existence of definable Polaris. There were several divisive issues. The social differences were mainly divided on social issues. This created two different warring groups defined by differing ideological views. Hunter claimed the polarity stemmed from different ideas towards progression and orthodoxy.

American public view is more ambivalent and also not consistent than what cultural war implies. Most of the American individuals are centric in religious and even political beliefs. Cultural war arguments are mostly riddled with disagreements. Some abortion-rights advocates usually regret its immoral nature (Falwell 1). Moreover, most homosexual non-supporters do not know whether or not homosexuality is an issue of morality. Cultures that are moralistic and self-righteous are usually practiced by minority groups and are tempted to break political discourse rules.

The most debate is on the issue of the role of religion in both society and politics. People disagree on some policies but usually agree on the idea of respecting the religion though they are not sure of its role. Thus, religion is essential. American society is diverse in matters of religion. Most people who extremely take positions on social issues like abortion fail to share a worldview. Life advocates are divided in their view towards the death penalty, feminism, or any other social issue. Despite most religious collaboration to fight abortion, most churches do not share their rationales to challenge the social vice.

Abortion should be termed as constitutionally legal if the lives of the mother and the unborn child are at risk. Homosexuality, pornography, gambling, and all other social vices should be abolished .Moreover, responsible individuals should work tirelessly to promote virtues and good moral behaviour among members of the society (Lewis 17). Religious leaders should explain their view biblically on issues like divorce. Divorce should only be allowed in cases of adultery. It is only through educating members of the public on the essence of living in a Christian way that cultural wars can be minimized.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth noting that most religious leaders fought for the rights of society. Their main reason was to make ordinary people understand issues that are ungodly and morally wrong. Most people did not know whether abortion, homosexuality, and pornography are vices, which then resulted in a cultural war. However, through religious leaders and homosexual nonsupporters, they have known the essence of opposing social issues and living morally upright. Unfortunately, there are those selected individuals who are entirely involved in those socially immoral activities. However, issues like the use of contraception, late marriages, or early marriages are still on the debate on whether they are morally right or wrong.

Works Cited

Buchanan, Pat. "The Culture War (1992) | The American Yawp Reader". Americanyawp.Com, 1982.www.americanyawp.com/reader/29-the-triumph-of-the-right/pat-buchanan-on-the-culture-war-1992/.

Falwell, Jerry. "The "Homosexual Revolution" (1981) | The American Yawp Reader". Americanyawp.Com, 1981, http:www.americanyawp.com/reader/29-the-triumph-of-the-right/jerry-falwell-on-the-homosexual-revolution-1981/. Accessed 5 May, 2020.

Hunter, James Davison. "Operationalizing evangelicalism: A review, critique & proposal." Sociological Analysis 42.4 (1981): 363-372. www.academic.oup.com/socrel/article-abstract/42/4/363/1712281

Lewis, Andrew R. The rights turn in conservative Christian politics: How abortion transformed the culture wars. Cambridge University Press, 2017.www.cambridge.org/core/books/rights-turn-in-conservative-christian-politics/de0ec83feb5166f5e1c3fe91ce0d460a

Smith, Mark A. "Religion, divorce, and the missing culture war in America." Political Science Quarterly 125.1 (2010): 57-85. www.familyinamerica.org/journals/winter-2015/whose-fault-was-no-fault-divorce/