Roe v. Wade Approved By Republican Appointees

For more than 50 years of my adult life, I have been an Evangelical Christian. My relationship with the Lord has guided my life. Despite my heartfelt and often-stated objections to abortion and homosexuality, my Christian beliefs were challenged because I was a Democrat. I have had statements made to me such as, “come out from among them” or “you can’t be like Christ and be a Democrat.” I realize that many godly pastors and Bible teachers with good intentions and true sincerity have held ferociously to their beliefs about Democrats for years. Some have pounded the pulpit, claiming that abortions in the United States started through actions by the Democrat Party. This offends me greatly because it is simply not true. I have never questioned anyone’s personal Christian relationship because of where they worship or their political leanings. Now, for Democrats like myself who are also Evangelicals, it is time to set thee record straight.

A 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, legalized abortion by a 7-2 vote. Six of the seven justices in the majority were Republican appointees. The only Democrat appointee, Byron White, voted against Roe v. Wade.

In fact, in every year since 1969, the United States Supreme Court has been controlled by a majority of Republican-appointed judges. There has not been a Democrat-appointed Chief Justice since 1953.

Currently, there are seven Republican appointees and two nominated by Democrats. Obviously, if the Republican majority has wanted to overturn Roe v. Wade at any time since 1973, they had the votes to do so. Why haven’t they?

In 2003, the United States Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas overturned a Texas law against sodomy. Once again, in the 6-3 decision, four Republicans voted to overturn the law.

Recently, the California Supreme Court overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Six of the seven California judges were elected Republicans.

From 2000-2006, Republicans controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency. In 2006, the FDA approved an “over the counter” abortion drug known as “Plan B.” The head of the FDA serves at the pleasure of President Bush.

My point is clear. For religious leaders to continue to blame Democrats for Republican actions is wrong.

Tom King
Kodak, Tenn.