"I Believe That God Would Approve Of Gay Marriage": Jimmy Carter Speaks His Mind
The former US president Jimmy Carter faced some of the hardest challenges any American president has encountered and managed to keep the country together. The Vietnam War was still fresh in the minds of Americans, and he had to fight hard to win back their faith in the system.
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Despite losing a second term bid in 1980, he won even more regards than when he was a sitting president. For the most part, he signaled a break from liberalism, a position that many Americans welcomed. He also revived American mediation in global disputes and worked to present the country as a champion of human rights.
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Besides his work in the government, Carter is also a Christian and does not hold back from sharing his views on faith and religion. In a 2015 interview with HuffPost Live, the former president made some rather unusual remarks about gay marriages.
I think Jesus would encourage any love affair if it was honest and sincere and was not damaging to anyone else and I don’t see that gay marriage damages anyone else.
Carter describes himself as a born-again Christian but notes that many Christians and churches remain unwilling to change their position on gay marriages. But not him.
Carter was promoting his new book, "A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety", and shared other insights into his walk with God. He added in the interview that his relationship with God guided his political career. But it did not come with challenges.
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On the issue of abortion, he maintained that he was strongly against it.
One of the nation's most prominent Evangelical Christian leaders says that he thinks Jesus would approve of same-sex marriages: "I think Jesus would encourage any love affair if it was honest and sincere and was not damaging to anyone else" https://t.co/JvLLozSAwI
— K9insky (@ntmyprez) July 10, 2018
Some commentators on Twitter have alternate opinions about Carter’s position on gay marriages, even quoting scripture that suggests God is against it.
No, that’s NOT Right by Biblical FACT! GOD does NOT Change! Malachi’s 3:6 Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. If Carter believes this he’s a Blind Guide! Read the Bible, Learn the TRUTH❣️ pic.twitter.com/5AT9MHRyg5
— CC Angels Sing (@Ccangelsing) July 9, 2018
Thank God Jimmy Carter is not a teacher of Christianity
— RAR Partners (@RARpartners) July 9, 2018
I wonder what basis of Scripture is this opinion
Theological slow learner Jimmy #Carter says #Jesus would approve of homosexual marriage! (video)~> https://t.co/Hy9u3sVpvp
— Blue Musky (@BlueMusky) July 10, 2018
Love is love! ❤️
— Kathleen Berberich (@KathleenBerberi) July 9, 2018
However, some other commentators support Carter and his position. In the end, the subject of faith and the interpretation of Bible remains dependent on the church and individuals who profess the Christian faith with neither being exclusive.