A Christian Citizen's Response to Jimmy Carter
Christian first, citizen second. Thet's the way the priority works for me. I'm not so sure that is the case with our former president and famous Georgia Baptist, Jimmy Carter.Of course, Bruce Miller of the Blue Voice had a lot to praise in Jimmy Carter's new top seller, "Our Endangered Values." In response, I'll share a few thoughts when it comes to the political leanings and social perspective of this Christ follower.
ABORTION
As a huge advocate of personal freedom and a Christ follower, I absolutely hate abortion and the way it touts a woman's right to choose while stomping all over an infants right to live. Babies are dependent on us before birth. They are totally dependent on us for many years after birth. Therefore, my political perspective leans heavily toward politicians that can do the most to protect the defenseless unborn babies. In light of the Scriptures, I have no idea how Carter reconciles his faith with his social view.
ECONOMY
What does a national economy have to do with Christianity? Probably not much. In the end, my perspective comes down to personal preference. There are certainly Scriptures that advocate earning financial gain through work, productivity, and commerce such as I Cor. 9:9, 2 Thes 3:10, Mat 18:21-35. In the end, my preference is a capitalist free market economy. If you are a Christian and have a socialist/communist leaning, I don't fault your Scriptural understanding. Though, on a personal level, I'd say you've selected a failed economic policy. So, with my economic perspective in view, I tend to lean toward the politicians who promote free trade, less regulation, less government involvement. Perhaps, that explains Carter's roaring economy of '76-'80 and the long gas lines and 20% mortgage rates.
COMPASSION
I think America is blessed in large part as a result of how we treat the least among us. I tend to lean toward the most compassionate politicians. However, I do not view compassion as giving able bodied people free passes in life. I think that we have some social policies that destroy family, ambition, and work ethic. To me compassion is positioning people to win in life. Rather than incentivizing personal stagnation, incentivize growth, home ownership, and retirement savings.
There are plenty of other hot button issues that I have thoughts toward and plenty of disagreement with Jimmy Carter when it comes to Scriptural and political perspective. I especially have disagreement for his perspective that many of the Biblical truths we hold to were merely cultural suggestions.
So, I'll continue to think out these things the best I know how to and encourage you to work out your own weltanschauung with fear and trembling.
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posted by Johnson at 11/10/2005 08:45:00 AM 
9 Comments:
While President Carter has certainly earned my respect through his work with Habitat for Humanity, and his Diplomatic Efforts during and after leaving the Oval Office, I often wonder about his spiritual convictions.
Does he have any?
And where did he get them?
Sounds like some very "Catholics in name only" that I know.
And some Evangelicals as well.
Work with Habitat? A+
Diplomatic efforts? F
His work on behalf of Castro and other Communist dictatorships is embarrassing. For a human rights activist, he had to turn a blind eye to a lot of represssion on the isle only a few hours south.
Spiritual convictions? F
They seem to be more in line with Hugo Chavez and Latin America's Liberation Theology movement than with the Evangelical church.
It used to be said that he was the best ex-president. Now, I would only say he is a great voice with Habitat for Humanity.
Jimmy Carter has spoken out against abortion and as President resisted tremendous pressure to veto the Hyde Amendment which banned federal funding of abortion. I think that Carter has tried to apply Christian values to his public and private life although perhaps misguided at times. I question the sincerity of many Republican politicians who appear to use Christians to get votes but basically give us only rhetoric - not action. Many Republican political leaders would probably have a nervous breakdown if Roe v. Wade was actually overturned or if Congress really passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. I think that Republican strategists would rather keep these issues around to exploit than actually resolve them in favor of sound moral values.
Rightdemocrat,
With all of the religious talk of democrats embracing spirituality, it would lead me to believe that abortion is the high sacrament of liberalism. Abortion is the centerpiece of American liberalism and largely the Democrat party.
Concerning Carter's view on abortion, let me counter your point in his own words from his own book "Living Faith" published in 1996:
"I have never been able to believe that Jesus would have approved the taking of a human life, but the difficult question then remained: When does a fetus become a human being? My duty was to comply with the rulings of the Supreme Court, but I did everything possible to minimize the need for and attractiveness of abortions."
Those are the words of a man with pandering conviction. That is the man you describe.
I could care less about whether or not Republicans are in office. When you have a true conservative democrat in mind, come back and drop me a note. Until then, I will point out Carter for what he is, a kind, misguided, liberal who is running high on intention and low on results.
By the way, RD. Thanks for stopping by.
If democrats would get around to promoting someone like Evan Bayh then you would be talking about a conservative I would strongly consider.
The problem is that conservatives in the DNC can't get past the huge liberal base of your party.
RightDemocrat is absolute correct in their points though Travis.
We get hung up on one or two issues, and usually aren't aware that this isn't a one or two issue nation.
Only if it were.
Protecting the lives of the defenseless is a pretty big issue to me as I look at national politics through the lense of a judeo-christian ethic.
I really could care less how many food stamps a politician would like to dole out when he is quick to support a woman's right to choose death for her unborn child.
Plain and simple. The sanctity of life trumps any warm hearted social program pushed by good hearted liberals anyday.
Right democrat? I've met very few.
I know several...and at least three of them were professors at the Seminary...registered Democrats--all three--and wonderful godly people at that.
Right. Like I said:
"I've met very few."
I'm not saying its impossible. In fact, there are a lot of things about the GOP that I don't like. Maybe I'll name them in another entry sometime.
Republicanism is not me. Conservatism is. I'll vote for a conservative over a Republican anyday. In the end, its a rare occurence that a democrat is a conservative (aka "right democrat"). You'd be hard pressed to name more than half a dozen prominent national "right democrats."
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