Morality is not determined by the church you attend nor the faith you embrace. It is determined by the quality of your character and the positive impact you have on those you meet along your journey
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Jimmy Carter gets it.
By the way I think that Jimmy Carter was probably the last example of a President who truly embraced and understood what his religion demanded from him.
President Jimmy Carter internalized and attempted to live the values preached by Jesus Christ. His self-effacing humility, personal honesty (yes, I've lusted in my heart), recognition of the call to follow Jesus's insistence that we care for those in greatest need--not only in monetary donations, although those are important too--but in his tireless hands-on work with Habitat for Humanity, providing the basic need of shelter for the poorest among us--the peanut farmer from Georgia brought the gospel message to life by his own example.
Obama is not done with his time in office. It's clear from interviews, from his writings and actions, that Obama has been influenced by the philosophy of the great Protestant Christian theologian Reinhold Niebuhr--and by his brother as well. Obama seems a more private person than Carter. his Christian faith unquestionable but not worn on his sleeve. Still, the selflessness, compassion, and the core of Jesus's social justice teachings are just as evident.
Nicely said Jude. I had the opportunity to listen to President Carter a few years back and he was eloquent. He was speaking on his foundation's work on getting rid of the guinea worm infestation in Africa. Truly a fine example of the best of Christianity reflected in his commitment to help those less fortunate. If all Christians were like him and his family, the world would be a better place.
I am always amazed when I read the "Carter was the worst President ever" coming from the rigt, when he was the only truly Christian man we have ever elected. And looking at the potential candidates on either side, the only one we ever will. The right hangs their Christian mantle on abortion and contraception, nothing else. Their hatred and lies makes them evil, not Christ-like. Their fear of any other religion makes them a really sorry example of any religion at all..Christ was not fearful or hateful toward Jews or the Roman atheists. He embraced all people. The way to win people over is not to shout evil names at them, is it? No, it;s to get to know them as people (the antithesis of our war culture) and accept that people have differing views on things. Then we rely on scientists for facts (I know, the wooden vampire cross of the right!) and make informed decisions. Unleashing the Palins on the US was tantamount to taking us back to the Stone Age as far as thinking.Makes me sad. Carter must shed some tears over what has happened to this nation. And then he spends his time helping Habitat, acting as an advocate for peace, negotiating with world leaders, and leading Sunday School. Anyone else notice which Presidents go on to serve people and make the world a better place, and which ones retire to gawk at their libraries and keep raising money for themselves?
Amen...says the heathen! I may not appreciate "Christians"...or Carter's presidential performance...but as a man of conscience & compassion, he will always have my respect.
Except for the drones. Carter would never have advocated that. I do agree that President Obama tries to be a good Christian..maybe in today's world it isn't possible. I do believe that our President wants peace, though. It is the only way to equalize the disparity in living conditions in this nation...only the top thrives in wartime...economic or otherwise.
The President who wants peace - was left with 2 raging hopeless wars - unrest in the middle east - some screaming for more war - yet the drones stop him being a Christian - presumably 5.13am would prefer the full on war that he is desperately trying to stop.
It is just too easy to praise the President who was gone. Why not support the one you currently have instead of continually thinking of the ones before & the ones yet to come.
There are two ironies at play here. First of all, those Bible-thumping pseudo-Christians ignore the New Testament, which is what Christianity is all about, and the two presidents most reviled by the far right are those who seem to have understood and acted upon their basic Christian beliefs the best: Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama. Beaglemom
They simply cannot reconcile their innate belief that they're better than everyone else with the teachings of the New Testament. Therefore, they save their greatest hatred for those who actually follow the NT.
I searched both Snopes and Google for the quote from Jimmy Carter but actually found the closest quotation to it voiced by John Fugelsang at http://www.bocamag.com/blog/2012/05/16/a-conversation-with-john-fugelsang/
*** Question from interviewer: "Who would Jesus vote for in this election?"
John Fugelsang's answer: "I don’t know. I don’t think he would vote for either of the two major party candidates. I think Jesus would be third party all the way, if he did vote. I bring up the fact that Jesus never lived in a democracy quite a bit, because when you hear people say, 'Jesus said to help the poor, but he didn’t say the government should do it!' I always respond, 'Yes, but Jesus didn’t have democracy.' If you want your tax dollars to help people over here instead of blowing them up over there, then vote that way. And if you don’t want your tax dollars to help the poor, to help the sick, to avoid violence, to take better care of those in prison, to help the needy, fine. Don’t vote that way. But don’t ever say you want a government based on Christian values, because you don’t."
I don't understand why people think they can micromanage their taxes. You want yours spent on bridges and military budgets but make sure you mark the box saying "fuck off" to any kind of government assistance or student grants?? Taxes are basically the membership fee you pay for living in "God's Country," so shut up and pay your dues like everyone else.
That quote may not have come from Carter, but it is in line with his expressed beliefs and actions. I have a lot of respect for him, particularly for his work after his presidency.
As a Christian, I believe that our actions are the best examples of our true faith. In the New Testament, there is a huge focus on Jesus vs. the Pharisees. I don't see how anyone can read the New Testament and not recognize the GOP as a prime example of modern-day Pharisees.
I always felt President Carter was too decent a human being for this faux Christian nation. He really did and does live by Jesus' words and deeds. I love and respect this President.
He's like the Fred Rogers of Politics. He lives his truth as an example to others, he's changed so many lives for good, and does so with humility and quiet grace.
Only in America can a peanut farmer become President.
I agree with your opinion.
ReplyDeleteJimmy Carter is one of the few people of whom I am aware who truly are Christian because they actually believe AND live by those beliefs.
ReplyDeleteThe poor guy must be sick to his stomach because of the current batch of "believers" and what they are trying to "accomplish".
Spot On!! Love Jimmy Carter!
ReplyDeleteJimmy Carter, speaking truth to power.
ReplyDeletedowl
President Jimmy Carter internalized and attempted to live the values preached by Jesus Christ. His self-effacing humility, personal honesty (yes, I've lusted in my heart), recognition of the call to follow Jesus's insistence that we care for those in greatest need--not only in monetary donations, although those are important too--but in his tireless hands-on work with Habitat for Humanity, providing the basic need of shelter for the poorest among us--the peanut farmer from Georgia brought the gospel message to life by his own example.
ReplyDeleteObama is not done with his time in office. It's clear from interviews, from his writings and actions, that Obama has been influenced by the philosophy of the great Protestant Christian theologian Reinhold Niebuhr--and by his brother as well. Obama seems a more private person than Carter. his Christian faith unquestionable but not worn on his sleeve. Still, the selflessness, compassion, and the core of Jesus's social justice teachings are just as evident.
Nicely said Jude. I had the opportunity to listen to President Carter a few years back and he was eloquent. He was speaking on his foundation's work on getting rid of the guinea worm infestation in Africa. Truly a fine example of the best of Christianity reflected in his commitment to help those less fortunate. If all Christians were like him and his family, the world would be a better place.
DeleteTouché.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great quote!
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed when I read the "Carter was the worst President ever" coming from the rigt, when he was the only truly Christian man we have ever elected. And looking at the potential candidates on either side, the only one we ever will. The right hangs their Christian mantle on abortion and contraception, nothing else. Their hatred and lies makes them evil, not Christ-like. Their fear of any other religion makes them a really sorry example of any religion at all..Christ was not fearful or hateful toward Jews or the Roman atheists. He embraced all people. The way to win people over is not to shout evil names at them, is it? No, it;s to get to know them as people (the antithesis of our war culture) and accept that people have differing views on things. Then we rely on scientists for facts (I know, the wooden vampire cross of the right!) and make informed decisions. Unleashing the Palins on the US was tantamount to taking us back to the Stone Age as far as thinking.Makes me sad. Carter must shed some tears over what has happened to this nation. And then he spends his time helping Habitat, acting as an advocate for peace, negotiating with world leaders, and leading Sunday School. Anyone else notice which Presidents go on to serve people and make the world a better place, and which ones retire to gawk at their libraries and keep raising money for themselves?
ReplyDeleteHe may not have been a great President, but he is a truly GOOD man and has touched millions of lives through his work since he left office.
DeleteAmen...says the heathen! I may not appreciate "Christians"...or Carter's presidential performance...but as a man of conscience & compassion, he will always have my respect.
DeleteI think President Obama has displayed the very best of Christian values every day of his life. He has no need to speak it - he lives it.
ReplyDeleteExcept for the drones. Carter would never have advocated that. I do agree that President Obama tries to be a good Christian..maybe in today's world it isn't possible. I do believe that our President wants peace, though. It is the only way to equalize the disparity in living conditions in this nation...only the top thrives in wartime...economic or otherwise.
DeleteEver notice how that seems to work?
DeleteThe people who spend their time telling everyone how 'Christian' they are are usually the ones who are the most hateful.
On the other hand, the people who are the quietest about their faith spend THEIR time actually doing something to make the world a better place.
The President who wants peace - was left with 2 raging hopeless wars - unrest in the middle east - some screaming for more war - yet the drones stop him being a Christian - presumably 5.13am would prefer the full on war that he is desperately trying to stop.
DeleteIt is just too easy to praise the President who was gone. Why not support the one you currently have instead of continually thinking of the ones before & the ones yet to come.
There are two ironies at play here. First of all, those Bible-thumping pseudo-Christians ignore the New Testament, which is what Christianity is all about, and the two presidents most reviled by the far right are those who seem to have understood and acted upon their basic Christian beliefs the best: Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
Very true.
DeleteThey simply cannot reconcile their innate belief that they're better than everyone else with the teachings of the New Testament. Therefore, they save their greatest hatred for those who actually follow the NT.
For what it's worth:
ReplyDeleteI searched both Snopes and Google for the quote from Jimmy Carter but actually found the closest quotation to it voiced by John Fugelsang at http://www.bocamag.com/blog/2012/05/16/a-conversation-with-john-fugelsang/
***
Question from interviewer:
"Who would Jesus vote for in this election?"
John Fugelsang's answer:
"I don’t know. I don’t think he would vote for either of the two major party candidates. I think Jesus would be third party all the way, if he did vote. I bring up the fact that Jesus never lived in a democracy quite a bit, because when you hear people say, 'Jesus said to help the poor, but he didn’t say the government should do it!' I always respond, 'Yes, but Jesus didn’t have democracy.' If you want your tax dollars to help people over here instead of blowing them up over there, then vote that way. And if you don’t want your tax dollars to help the poor, to help the sick, to avoid violence, to take better care of those in prison, to help the needy, fine. Don’t vote that way. But don’t ever say you want a government based on Christian values, because you don’t."
Elsie
Not only did Fuglesang say that but it's credited to him on a date months before the meme above credits Carter - 29 May 2013.
DeleteI don't understand why people think they can micromanage their taxes. You want yours spent on bridges and military budgets but make sure you mark the box saying "fuck off" to any kind of government assistance or student grants?? Taxes are basically the membership fee you pay for living in "God's Country," so shut up and pay your dues like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteThat quote may not have come from Carter, but it is in line with his expressed beliefs and actions. I have a lot of respect for him, particularly for his work after his presidency.
ReplyDeleteAs a Christian, I believe that our actions are the best examples of our true faith. In the New Testament, there is a huge focus on Jesus vs. the Pharisees. I don't see how anyone can read the New Testament and not recognize the GOP as a prime example of modern-day Pharisees.
I always felt President Carter was too decent a human being for this faux Christian nation. He really did and does live by Jesus' words and deeds. I love and respect this President.
ReplyDeleteHe's like the Fred Rogers of Politics. He lives his truth as an example to others, he's changed so many lives for good, and does so with humility and quiet grace.
ReplyDeleteOnly in America can a peanut farmer become President.
This meme is not true. John Fuglesang is credited with first saying this on 29 May 2013. That's a fact, look it up.
ReplyDeleteCarter didn't actually say this. And while he's the best ex-president ever, he really was a disaster in office. Let's not forget he lost by 49 states.
ReplyDelete