Citation

Nemeth RJ, Luidens DA. Sociol. Relig. 1989; 49(4): 343-352.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Association for the Sociology of Religion)

DOI

10.2307/3711221

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Much has been written about the New Christian Right (NCR) in recent years. An important question which has received considerable speculation but little systematic analysis is the extent of influence the NCR has exerted on the membership of mainline Protestant denominations. The present study examines the penetration of the NCR social and political agenda into one mainline Protestant denomination, the Reformed Church in America (RCA). Specifically, we (1) locate issues which identify RCA members in agreement with the NCR, (2) suggest the likely size of this group within the RCA, and (3) identify their behavioral and social characteristics. Data for the study come from a nationwide survey of the RCA taken during 1986. Findings indicate that the influence of the NCR in the RCA is relatively small and not heavily concentrated in any particular social or demographic group. Moreover, behavioral variables were found to be the strongest predictors of one's level of agreement with the NCR. The analysis is followed by a discussion of the NCR's future in the RCA and other denominations.