The 1980s trend toward greater social conservatism came partly from Americans who: were concerned that religion had too much influence in government.
regarded gender equality and gay rights as threats to the family.
wanted to protect the rights of racial and ethnic minorities,
thought the government was spending too little on social services.

It is commonly said that there are only two guarantees in life — death and taxes — but what can be more taxing than the prospect of one’s own death? Ceasing to exist is an overwhelmingly terrifying thought and it is one which has plagued individuals for centuries. This ancient stressor has been addressed over time by a number of different religious explanations and affirmations. Arguably, this capacity to provide answers for fundamental questions is what defines religion. For instance, under Hindu belief one’s soul lives on after biological death and is reborn in a new body. Under Christian belief one can expect to live in a heavenly paradise once one’s time runs out on earth. These are just two examples, but the extension of the self beyond its physical expiration date is a common thread in religious texts

“the battle of stalingrad is not a turning point necessarily in strategic terms, because a lot more has to be done before the soviets can be certain of defeating germany,” says renowned world war ii historian richard overy. the germans had fought nearly a thousand miles across the soviet union to get to stalingrad.

whose power in the senate is equal to the power of the speaker of the house?