Moral Majority

Related Category: U.S. History

U.S. political action group composed of conservative, fundamentalist Christians. Founded (1979) and led (1979–87) by evangelist Rev. Jerry Falwell, the group played a significant role in the 1980 elections through its strong support of conservative candidates. It lobbied for prayer and the teaching of creationism in public schools, while opposing the Equal Rights Amendment (see feminism), homosexual rights, abortion, and the U.S.-Soviet SALT treaties (see disarmament, nuclear). The Moral Majority was dissolved in 1989.