The Religious Right’s founding narrative claims Roe v. Wade roused evangelicals from political passivity

Evidence

The Religious Right’s most cherished and durable myth is its myth of origins. According to this well-rehearsed narrative, articulated by Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and countless others, evangelical leaders were shaken out of their political complacency by the United States Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision of January 22, 1973. — Randall Balmer, Bad Faith, 89

Categorization

• DEFINE: Names and describes the Religious Right’s origin myth that the chapter proceeds to dismantle.
• XREF: connects to: The religious right’s founding coalition was initially indifferent to abortion. — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the…, 234; Evangelicals adopted anti-abortion politics six years after Roe for political gain — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the…, 255; A leading Southern Baptist fundamentalist welcomed the Roe decision as correct — Randall Balmer, Bad Faith: Race and the Rise of the…, 93 (+11 more)

Broader Connections

• The Religious Right fabricated an origin myth linking its birth to Roe v. Wade #corroborates (0.95) — Randall Balmer, Bad Faith, 87
• Evangelical opposition to abortion was initially uncertain and politically constructed #expands (0.85) — Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Jesus and John Wayne, 160
• The Religious Right’s abortion politics predate Roe and were chosen for strategic reasons #expands (0.80) — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers, 222
• Proposed rallying issues for the Religious Right included gay rights before abortion #complicates (0.75) — Randall Balmer, Bad Faith, 120
• The Religious Right strategists first favored gay rights over abortion as a mobilizing issue #complicates (0.75) — Randall Balmer, Bad Faith, 122