Evangelical Response to Political Defeat on Same-Sex Marriage
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Keywords
Evangelical, same-sex marriage, political defeat, rhetoric, framing, political activism, content analysis
Department
Political Science
Major
Political Science
Abstract
This paper compares evangelical Christian political rhetoric on the issue of same-sex marriage across three time periods: 1995-1997, 2003-2005, and 2013-2015. These periods represent key moments in political debates on same-sex marriage. Using content analysis, I examine the use of political rhetoric in documents from four important Evangelical Christian groups (Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, Christian Coalition, Southern Baptist Convention & its Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission). The study aims to explain how evangelical groups that opposed same-sex marriage have reacted to their recent political defeat. The paper finds that evangelicals continue to oppose same-sex marriage but through different rhetorical approaches that characterize homosexuality less negatively than arguments made in the past. Interviews with evangelical pastors and organizational leaders confirm these findings. Based on the research, I conclude that evangelical opposition to same-sex marriage will remain, but that the framing of the issue will continue to change based on changing social values related to these relationships.
Faculty Mentor
Chris Soper
Funding Source or Research Program
Political Science Honors Program
Presentation Session
Session A
Location
Plaza Classroom 189
Start Date
3-4-2015 5:00 PM
End Date
3-4-2015 5:15 PM
Evangelical Response to Political Defeat on Same-Sex Marriage
Plaza Classroom 189
This paper compares evangelical Christian political rhetoric on the issue of same-sex marriage across three time periods: 1995-1997, 2003-2005, and 2013-2015. These periods represent key moments in political debates on same-sex marriage. Using content analysis, I examine the use of political rhetoric in documents from four important Evangelical Christian groups (Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, Christian Coalition, Southern Baptist Convention & its Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission). The study aims to explain how evangelical groups that opposed same-sex marriage have reacted to their recent political defeat. The paper finds that evangelicals continue to oppose same-sex marriage but through different rhetorical approaches that characterize homosexuality less negatively than arguments made in the past. Interviews with evangelical pastors and organizational leaders confirm these findings. Based on the research, I conclude that evangelical opposition to same-sex marriage will remain, but that the framing of the issue will continue to change based on changing social values related to these relationships.