Michael Brooks
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was a lifelong Baptist and one of the most explicitly religious presidents in modern U.S. history. While Carter was not a Catholic, he was the first American president to welcome a pope to the White House when Pope John Paul II visited in 1979. Carter's Christian faith was a hallmark of his life and presidency, and he continued to teach Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains, Georgia, even after his presidency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Lifelong Baptist, born-again Christian |
| Views on abortion | Wrong, supported the Hyde Amendment |
| Views on same-sex marriage | Supported |
| Views on ordination of female pastors | Supported |
| First president to | Welcome a pope to the White House |
| Taught Sunday school | Yes, at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia |
| Awards | Presidential Medal of Freedom (1999), Nobel Peace Prize (2002) |
| Age at death | 100 |
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What You'll Learn
Jimmy Carter's faith
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was a lifelong Baptist and a born-again Christian who practiced his own version of progressive evangelicalism. Carter was one of the most explicitly religious presidents in modern U.S. history, and his faith was a key element in his public persona.
Carter's sister, Ruth Carter Stapleton, was an evangelist who had a significant influence on her brother's faith and practice. In 1966, Carter helped lead a Billy Graham evangelistic crusade in his home county, and later served as honorary chairman of Graham's Atlanta crusade. Carter's attendance at Sunday services and his participation in the National Prayer Breakfast impressed Christian leaders, who felt that his faith commitment was authentic.
Carter's unabashed embrace of his Christian faith was seen as a breath of fresh air in the wake of the Watergate scandal, and it helped him win primary elections in states with large evangelical populations. In a 1976 NBC News interview, then-candidate Carter said:
> "Under the Supreme Court ruling [Roe v. Wade], I will do anything I can as president to minimize the need for abortions. I think abortions are wrong and I think that we ought to have a comprehensive effort made by the president and Congress with a nationwide law perhaps, adequately financed to give sex instruction and access to contraceptives for those who believe in their use, better adoptive procedures."
As president, Carter signed into law the Hyde Amendment, which bans federal tax dollars from being used for abortions, except in specific circumstances. Carter also supported a nationwide law to minimize the need for abortions.
Carter's faith continued to be a hallmark of his life after his presidency. He taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown and remained active in various religious organizations and initiatives. In 2002, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in advancing peace and human rights.
Despite being a Baptist, Carter was celebrated by Catholics for being the first American president to welcome a pope to the White House in 1979. Pope Francis praised Carter's deep Christian faith and his commitment to the cause of "reconciliation and peace between peoples, the defense of human rights, and the welfare of the poor and those in need."
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Carter's presidency
Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States, serving from 1977 to 1981. A lifelong Baptist, Carter was known for his deep Christian faith, which influenced his policies as president. Notably, he was anti-abortion and supported a nationwide law to minimise the need for abortions. In 1977, he signed the Hyde Amendment into law, banning federal tax dollars from being used for abortions except in specific cases.
During his time in office, Carter advanced peace and human rights, including the historic 1978 Camp David Peace Accords between Israel and Egypt, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. He was also the first American president to welcome a pope to the White House, receiving Pope John Paul II during his first papal trip to the United States in 1979.
Carter's domestic policies addressed issues such as domestic inequality, as reflected in his presidential campaign. He founded the New Baptist Covenant organisation for social justice in 2007 and worked on housing construction projects with Habitat for Humanity. Carter's approval ratings during his presidency were mixed, with a 1990 Gallup survey showing only 45% approval, but his ratings improved over time, reaching 61% in a 2006 poll.
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Carter's legacy
Jimmy Carter's Legacy
Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died at the age of 100 in December 2024. He was the longest-living president in American history, surpassing Herbert Hoover as the longest-retired president in 2012. Carter was a lifelong Baptist, and his Christian faith was a hallmark of his life and presidency. He was celebrated by Catholics for being the first American president to welcome a pope to the White House—Pope John Paul II in 1979.
Carter's presidency was marked by significant challenges, including a hostile post-Watergate press, economic disruptions, and crisis situations abroad. He was a transitional figure between the old liberal politics of the 1960s and the emerging conservative consensus. Carter was progressive in his thinking and actions on energy and the environment, ahead of his time. He advocated for market-driven innovation and sought to restrain growing government spending.
One of Carter's most significant legacies is his role in the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt, for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. This peace agreement has lasted for decades and significantly limited the scope and scale of conflict in the Middle East. Carter also played a crucial role in normalizing relations with China and beginning the military buildup that helped defeat the Soviet Union.
After his presidency, Carter continued to dedicate his life to advancing human rights, alleviating human suffering, and improving global health. He established the Carter Center in 1982 with his wife, Rosalynn, to work towards these goals. The Carter Center has had a significant impact on election monitoring, state-building, democratic institution-building, and mediating conflicts between nations. Additionally, the Center has led efforts to eradicate diseases, such as Guinea worm disease, and reduce the prevalence of other neglected tropical diseases.
Carter was also recognized for his work in teaching, serving as an honorary chair of the World Justice Project, and teaching Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1999 and the CDC Foundation's Hero Award in 2012 for his visionary leadership.
In summary, Jimmy Carter's legacy is defined by his deep Christian faith, his consequential presidency marked by foreign policy achievements, and his tireless post-presidential advocacy for peace, justice, and human rights around the world.
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Carter's death
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on December 29, 2024, at the age of 100. He was the longest-lived president in U.S. history. Carter was surrounded by his family when he passed away, and his death came after nearly two years of hospice care.
Carter had experienced various health issues and a declining physical ability in the years leading up to his death. In February 2023, the Carter Center announced that Carter would be receiving hospice care, indicating that his life expectancy was no more than six months. Despite this, Carter remained in good spirits, visiting with family and enjoying life. In August 2023, Carter's grandson, Jason Carter, provided an update, stating that his grandfather was "in the final chapter" of his life.
Carter's remains were taken by motorcade to Atlanta on January 4, 2025, and were saluted at various significant locations, including his boyhood home in Archery and the Georgia State Capitol. A period of lying in state was held at the United States Capitol, and black mourning drapes were placed over portraits of Carter at various institutions, including the Smithsonian Institution, the White House, and the Georgia State Capitol.
Carter's funeral service was held on January 9, 2025, and was attended by family and dignitaries. The world mourned the loss of a leader who dedicated his life to peace, human rights, and improving the lives of others.
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Carter's views on abortion and same-sex marriage
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was a lifelong Baptist and held views that differed from Catholic teaching on controversial social and doctrinal issues, including abortion and same-sex marriage.
Abortion
Carter was personally opposed to abortion, but supported its legalization after the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade in 1973. Early in his term as governor, he strongly supported family planning programs, including abortion to save the life of a woman, address birth defects, or in other extreme circumstances. He wrote the foreword to a book, "Women in Need," that favored a woman's right to abortion. He also privately encouraged the plaintiffs in a lawsuit, Doe v. Bolton, filed against the state of Georgia to overturn its abortion laws. However, as president, he did not support increased federal funding for abortion services.
In a 1976 NBC News interview, then-candidate Carter stated: "I think abortions are wrong, and I think that we ought to have a comprehensive effort made by the president and Congress with a nationwide law perhaps, adequately financed to give sex instruction and access to contraceptives for those who believe in their use, better adoptive procedures."
In a March 2012 interview, Carter expressed his desire for the Democratic Party to adopt a more anti-abortion stance, allowing abortion only in cases of rape, incest, or risk of maternal death. He signed a letter from Democrats for Life of America, advocating for greater acceptance of pro-life views within the party.
Same-Sex Marriage
Carter supported same-sex marriage, stating that he believes "Jesus would approve of gay marriage." He expressed his view that Jesus would encourage any sincere and honest love affair that does not harm others, and he does not see how same-sex marriage damages anyone. However, Carter also respected the right of churches that disagree with same-sex marriage to not perform them.
In October 2014, ahead of a Supreme Court ruling, Carter argued that the legalization of same-sex marriage should be left to the states rather than mandated by federal law.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Jimmy Carter was not a Catholic president. He was a lifelong Baptist and a born-again Christian who practiced his own version of progressive evangelicalism.
Jimmy Carter was a Protestant and a Southern Baptist. He was also referred to as an evangelical.
Yes, after his presidency, Jimmy Carter taught Sunday school at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown.
Yes, Jimmy Carter had a strong Christian faith. He was one of the most explicitly religious presidents in modern U.S. history.
Yes, Jimmy Carter was the first American president to welcome a pope to the White House. In 1979, he welcomed Pope John Paul II during his first papal trip to the United States.
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