Abstract :
Many signs point to a developing culture war in the US. Such issues as abortion and school prayer, far from being distractions as some journalists are wont to regard them, actually indicate a basic disagreement over how American life should be ordered. This culture war is important because, historically, such conflicts have invariably foreshadowed actual wars. To date the press has failed to probe the culture war deeply. Several factors, such as the tendency of journalists to impose a dichotomy on the subject, explain the superficial press coverage. The press must act more responsibly.