In today’s world of American politics, being a pro-life Democrat often feels like a contradiction. But for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Dec. 24, 2024, and was honored today in a national memorial service, it was a testament to how his deeply held Christian faith informed his policies.
Carter was an outspoken believer, whose presidency and lifelong dedication to public service stand as a model for how faith and politics can coexist — not in opposition, but in tandem. His nuanced approach to pro-life issues like abortion, the death penalty, as well as his stance on the separation of church and state revealed a leader who didn’t misuse his faith as a weapon but embraced it as a moral compass.
One of the clearest examples of Carter’s ability to balance his personal faith with his public duty comes from a 1996 interview with NPR’s Fresh Air host Terry Gross. In the interview, Carter opened up about how he navigated the intersection of his faith with his political decisions.
Carter’s understanding of this separation didn’t mean sidelining his beliefs but rather channeling them into policies that reflected the spirit of his convictions. Take his stance on abortion, for instance. Just four years prior to his presidency, Roe v. Wade legalized abortions nationwide. Coming into the presidency as a Christian, Carter held a pro-life stance against abortion. But as a Democrat, he used his political stance to implement government policies that would expand social programs with the hope that it would reduce the need for abortions.
Here’s how Carter described his approach to pro-life issues to Gross:
“I just couldn’t believe that Jesus Christ would favor abortions. And I also can’t believe that he would favor the death penalty. And fortunately, all the time I was governor, all the time I was president, there was never a death penalty imposed. On abortion, the Supreme Court had ruled that Roe v. Wade was applicable. And I, obviously, as president, enforced that interpretation of the Constitution. But I did everything I could to reduce the need for abortions.”
This careful balancing act — respecting the law while striving to reduce harm — defined Carter’s presidency. His policies notably prioritized healthcare access and social support for women, embodying his belief that reducing the need for abortion was as crucial as enforcing legal rights.
For Carter, balancing his beliefs and politics meant walking a careful line.
“I believe in the separation of church and state, so I was very careful not to have religious services in the White House or to have religious meetings in the White House,” Carter said. “I went to church on Sunday, when I was in Washington, at the First Baptist Church… And there were very few times when I felt any discrepancy at all. But I had to interpret the Constitution as the Supreme Court ruled it to be at that particular moment.
“I don’t want to imply that when I was president I abandoned my faith or found a basic inconsistency between what I believe in religion and what I did as a politician,” he continued. “I think, almost always, they were compatible. There were a few times when they were not completely compatible, but I took an oath of office before God to support the Constitution and laws of my nation. And I did. And if I disagreed with some of the laws or felt that they were not completely compatible with my religious faith, I just obeyed the law.”
In addition to balancing his policies and convictions, Carter also opened up to Gross about his prayer life with the public. He described his prayers in the White House as focused not on personal gain but on serving the greater good.
“I never prayed for popularity,” he said. “I never prayed to be reelected, things of that kind. I prayed that I could keep my nation at peace. I prayed that I could extend the advantages of peace to other people, say, between Egypt and Israel at Camp David. When the hostage crisis came along, the prayer that I made was that all the hostages would come back home safe and free, that I would not betray the principles of my nation or do anything to embarrass it. And I think in all those cases, my prayers were answered.
“I think God always answers our prayers,” he answered. “Quite often God’s answer is no. We don’t get what we ask for. And then the obligation, if we have faith, is to find out within ourselves, why. Are we asking for selfish things? Are we asking for things that are unjustified? Are our prayers in accordance with God’s will?”
Carter’s presidency may not have been perfect, but it was a reflection of a man striving to lead with integrity, faith and an unwavering commitment to justice. His legacy challenges us to consider what it means to be a Christian in public office—not as a culture warrior but as a servant leader.
As the world reflects on his life today, and as our country prepares for the office of a familiar leader, perhaps the greatest lesson Jimmy Carter leaves us is that faith in action doesn’t require shouting from the rooftops. Sometimes, it simply requires showing up, doing the work and trusting God with the rest.
