Jimmy Carter, 39th President of the United Staes, passed away on Sunday at the age of 100. The White House issued a Proclamation from President Biden formally announcing Carter's death. Religion played an extremely important role in Carter's life. In October 1976, just a month before the election in which he narrowly defeated Gerald Ford, Carter gave a lengthy interview (full text) with leaders of "National Religious Broadcasters" and "World Religious News" that set out his personal views on religion as well as on separation of church and state. Here are a few excerpts:
Q. Mr. Carter, ... can you tell us what Jesus Christ means to you, and to what extent you have dedicated your life to Him?
Governor Carter. The most important thing in my life is Jesus Christ....
I had my deepest and most personal turning to Christ about 10 years ago. 1966 or 1967, when I realized that in spite of the achievement within my church circle, as chairman of the board of deacons, superintendent of the Sunday School, and so forth, that there was an absence of a deep, constant personal relationship with Christ I went to some other states to witness among those who had no church affiliation. During the trips, I felt very personally present to the Holy Spirit and began to be able to testify for the first time with complete sincerity about what Christ meant to me. I found it easy to pray without a special extra effort; it became part of my consciousness, and I felt a sense of peace and security that I had never felt before....
Q. How does your Christian commitment affect political decisions you have made and will make in the future?
Governor Carter. As a Baptist I believe very strongly in the principle of separation of church and state....
As far as my decisions as a political leader, they are affected very heavily by my Christian beliefs. I spent more time on my knees as governor of Georgia than I had spent all the rest of my life put together because I felt the responsibility of many other people's lives. I cling to the principles of the Judeo-Christian ethic. Honesty, integrity, compassion, love, hope, charity, humility are integral parts of any person's life, no matter what his position in life may be. But when someone is elected and trusted by others to help determine one's own life quality, it puts an additional responsibility on the pastor or the schoolteacher or someone who has a public life. So, the Christian or the religious commitment is one that's especially useful tome....
... Not too long ago, I taught a Sunday school lesson about how Paul and Peter reacted to the laws or government of that day. Their admonition was to obey the law and to obey the chosen rulers.
If there was a violation of God's laws by the civil law, to obey God's law is to be willing to accept the punishment administered by the civil law and to try to work to make sure the civil law was compatible with God's law.
Q. In the past, much has been discussed concerning prayer and Bible reading in public schools. In the event you become the President of the United States, what proposals or plans would you have concerning this particular area?
Governor Carter. I don't favor the state, through the public schools, requiring a certain kind of prayer or worship. I believe that ought to be a decision made by the individual student. There ought not to be any prohibition against any self-initiated worship. But the requirement of conformity of worship is something that is contrary to my own beliefs....
