And now for something completely different... a book review: Jimmy Carter's 'Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis'

Hey - something different - a book review! It's inspired by this post from 2 1/2 years ago, actually, in Politics Daily, written to highlight Jimmy Carter's op-ed piece in The Age called Losing My Religion for Equality, where Carter talks about how the lack of equality for women, and the desire to subjugate them, has caused an insurmountable rift between him and the Southern Baptist Church. I hadn't read this before, and was frankly, surprised that he felt strongly enough to leave his church.

Carter is a very religious man, and he goes about his practice of Christianity in the way I like to think G-d intended. He doesn't feel the need to wear it on his sleeve. He goes about his business quietly, doing the good deeds that he believes he should be doing (and how!). Without a call to be recognized. Without whoremongering for the media. Without shouting, "Hey, look at me!! I'm the most religious man on the planet - aren't I the most awesomest EVAR!!!" He truly walks the walk, and I have nothing but the utmost respect for him as a human being, and as a man.

Carter, in my opinion, is a true example to the religious right and all the GOP religious zealots on how to incorporate your deep religious beliefs into your daily practice, and yet still be true to the Constitution you swore to uphold and defend. I only hope that some of them will sit up and take notice, and perhaps read this book.

Thanks to the "We Are Women" Facebook page for the original link. And if you don't know about the march against the War on Women, I highly suggest that you find out about it. There will be marches on all the state capitals on April 28, and a national march in DC in September.

Anyway... back to my original topic... Carter and this fabulous book. Go read it. Now.

This review was originally posted on my book review blog, and I thought it totally appropriate to post here as well.

I first read this book in 2005, and it is as relevant today as it was then. I'm reposting my review of it here, because my opinion hasn't changed one iota since I originally read this book, and it's too good not to mention it again and in this forum. If you haven't read any of Carter's books, you really should.

Jimmy Carter has to be one of the most amazing, underappreciated, underrated men our country has been privileged to have as a public servant. Yes, his presidency was plagued with the energy/gas crisis, the Iran Hostage crisis, etc, but in the years since his presidency, he has earned himself an even bigger, brighter place in not just American history, but world history.

This book focuses on history and, to a large extent, on the Bush (the 2nd) administration's subservience to the fundamentalist conservative right. Although parts of the book are a scathing criticism of the Bush administration, he backs up his positions with biblical scripture and historical events and perspectives. He is, by his own admission, a devout evangelical "born again" Christian. Yet he passionately defends the separation of church and state and defended the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade, although it went against his own personal beliefs.

He devotes chapters in this book to civil rights, homosexuality, the death penalty, abortion, science and religion, divorce, women's rights, and environmental issues including drilling for oil in Alaska, preserving America's national parks and global warming, and the US policies on decreasing emissions in relation to the rest of the industrialized world. There are chapters on our global image, the growing gap between rich and poor both in the US and globally, North Korea, Cuba, nuclear proliferation/disarmament, (in)humane treatment of POWs, government-sanctioned torture, and war (globally and specifically in Iraq).

This is not a "democrat" vs "republican" issue, he is quick to point out, and the book backs up this assertion. Instead, he concentrates on the increasingly strong influence of religion into politics, which, he contends, should be separate. He puts every chapter into perspective relative to his own strong religious convictions and beliefs. He contends that religion has its place in politics in the same way that it has its place in everyday life - by guiding our hand toward being valuable, moral and compassionate human beings - not by guiding public policy and law.

As a Jew, I found this a fascinating read, given his self-admitted evangelical bent. Although we have different religious beliefs, it is clear to me that he respects every human being's right to believe passionately in their own religion, but not at the expense of others. As an American, I found it equally as fascinating, although a bit demoralizing to read about some of the positions taken by our country's leadership (and by default, the country's citizenry), and as a human being, I am equally captivated and appalled by the lack of far-sightedness he portrays by the Bush administration and the past leadership of our country, and its lasting ramifications.

A fascinating read, and I recommend it highly, along with any of his other twenty-odd books, including his poetry. At the top of my TBR pile is 2010's White House Diary. I'm sure it will be as engrossing and thought-provoking as everything else he's written.