Once the Supreme Court in 1973 decided that infanticide could be legal, it not only ended America's 'inalienable right to life,' it threw the Golden Rule right off the shores of this continent.

In this quote, Michael Moriarty is commenting on the 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States. Moriarty argues that the ruling effectively undermined the inalienable right to life, a principle enshrined in the Declaration of Independence as one of the foundational rights granted to all people. By framing abortion as infanticide, Moriarty suggests that the Court’s decision allowed the taking of innocent life, which he believes directly contradicts the core values of American democracy.

The origin of this quote stems from Moriarty’s outspoken views on abortion and his broader criticisms of what he sees as moral decay in society. He links the Supreme Court decision to a breakdown of ethical standards, suggesting that the legalization of abortion represents a rejection of the Golden Rule—the principle of treating others as one would want to be treated. For Moriarty, the ruling marked a symbolic loss of moral direction in the U.S., where he believes respect for life and human dignity should be central.

Moriarty’s use of terms like “infanticide” and “Golden Rule” reflects his strong moral and religious convictions, particularly regarding life and human rights. He suggests that by legalizing abortion, the Supreme Court not only failed to protect the most vulnerable but also set a precedent that allowed the disregard for life to permeate broader societal values. For him, the decision represents a significant shift in the nation’s moral compass.

Ultimately, Moriarty’s quote expresses his belief that the Roe v. Wade ruling was not just a legal decision, but a profound moral misstep with wide-reaching consequences for American society. His statement reflects a deeply conservative perspective on abortion and a call to return to what he sees as the moral foundation of the Golden Rule and the right to life.