Forrest Wickman’s recent article in Slate asks the question “Who is the most religious (American) president of all time?” He concludes that this distinction probably belongs to Jimmy Carter. Carter, a Georgia Baptist, has always been straightforward about his religious beliefs and practices.
While in office, Carter attended church wherever he went, even while on the road, and continued to teach Sunday school when at home. He prayed daily and read the Bible, and when he wasn’t reading the Bible he read theologians like Reinhold Niebuhr.
Wickman proposes that James Garfield also deserves consideration for this distinction as the only President who was also an ordained Disciples of Christ minister. He also suggests three additional Presidents should be considered as being among the “most devout” — William McKinley, Woodrow Wilson, and John Quincy Adams.
So What?
Carter’s decision to regularly and intentionally include religion has impacted Presidential politics in every election since he left the office. Personally, he has continued to act on his religious beliefs in a number of public ways, including through his work with Habitat for Humanity.
- In your lifetime, who do you believe has been the most religious American President? Why?
- Do you think the increased religious content in Presidential elections since Carter left that office has been helpful? Why or why not?
- As a person of faith, how important are the religious beliefs of Presidential candidates? What, if any, role do they play in your decision making process about a candidate?