An examination of the rise of "electronic religion" (religious broadcasting on radio and television) in the United States and the movement's fusing of religious and political issues during the 1980 election year lends credibility to the argument that a clash between church and state is inherent in the political aspects of these broadcasters' activities, and that this conflict may ultimately be resolved only by the United States Supreme Court. The conservative groups dominating the electronic church already have an extensive audience in the U. S., and the potential political influence of these broadcasters at a time when the country seems to be moving in a more conservative direction lies primarily in mobilizing conservative voters on political issues. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has routinely exempted religious programing from the fairness doctrine's requirements because such programing is seen as being noncontroversial by definition. If the FCC is forced to draw a line between what constitutes religious and political programing, it has no clear legal precedents to follow that have involved broadcasters invoking the First Amendment's freedom of religion clause. (Author/AEA)