Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis

I've always been amazed that the country was so concerned about
whether Carter would be a good President because he was a professed
"born again Christian," and yet in the years after his term ended,
suddenly (according to the devout fundamentalists across the country)
belief in God was mandatory, the Bible scriptures held all the answers,
and God suddenly became property of only the Republican party. All
Democrats were labeled as godless liberals who reveled in killing
babies, adding massive programs to an already too-big government, and
were probably just a shade less sinister than the Red Communists with
their cries for affordable national health care programs. That's why Carter's moderate voice and considered opinions as put forth
in show more this book are so needed right now. No one can argue that this isn't
a highly intelligent, God-fearing man who lives his faith every day of
his life and has a unique perspective on government, having been there
and done that. He takes on the "fumdamentalist" views on everything
from gay marriage and abortion, to tax cuts, the horrifying new doctrine
of pre-emptive war, science and religion, church and state, the
subservience of women, environmentalism, and the sharp and growing
difference between rich and poor in this world. His is a clear and
intelligent voice, crying in the wilderness, justifying so-called
"liberal" view-points, and asking, somewhat rhetorically, "What Would
Jesus Have Done About Iraq?" He's trying to get America to open our
eyes about the unfair and unAmerican policies of the new Conservatives
who seem to have taken over our government. He's confronting the
"neocons" where they stand, on pulpits across America, and demanding an
explanation of how the Bush Doctrine of Pre-Emptive War can co-exist
with a Christian philosophy of turning the other cheek or even with our
own American history. He exposes something that I have long suspected
was true: that the foreign and environmental policies of this country
are being based, incredibly, on dogma from the Book of Revelations. No
need to take care of the earth because it's going to end soon anyway.
Back Israel, right or wrong, because that's how it's got to be.

Carter makes it obvious that the policies and doctrines of the current
government are paving the way for the fall of America and the
destruction of some of our basic values. This book was a joy to read,
the voice of a moderate who just happens to be a Democrat. It makes
total sense and finds the common ground between both parties and plans.
Whether you are Christian or atheist, Pagan or Jew, there is common
sense in this book that will appeal to that part of you that USED to be
a proud American. I'd recommend this book if you are at all interested
in politics or the direction this country is heading and why. show less

It's been a long time since I started and finished a book in one night - and I never expected former president Jimmy Carter's book to be such a fast read.

The more I find out about this man, the more I admire him. I was only 6 when he became president - and I knew three things about him. He was a former farmer, he had a brother named Billy and (later) he was the president during the Iran hostage crisis.

Since I've gotten older and since he's gone on to do many admirable things on the world stage, I've come to move him high up on my list of great people.

"Our Endangered Values" only reinforces that belief. These are essays on many of the issues that trouble me as I look at the horribly wrong direction our country is headed - and I now show more know that Carter is even more worried than I. (I didn't think that was possible!) He, of course, has been intimately involved in many of the most pressing issues of our time, and has met many of the world leaders involved.

Most of the book is tied into his Christian faith in some way, most powerfully, I think, when he talks about the rise of fundamentalism in the world. Not only Islamic fundamentalism, which seems to jump to mind first, but also Christian fundamentalism - a trend I find almost as scary. Maybe more so, at times, because I feel it affecting our country every day, and not in positive ways. He points out that fundamentalists of any faith have the following in common: They are led my authoritarian males who have an overwhelming commitment to subjugate women and to dominate their fellow believers, they believe the past is better than the present, they are convinced that they are right and that anyone who contradicts them is ignorant and possibly evil, they are militant in fighting against any challenge to their beliefs...hmmm - sound remarkably like the idiot in the White House!

By the end of the book, I found myself almost feeling worse for Jimmy Carter than for our country. Those institutions and people in which he had such faith are failing him and are heading down paths he is no longer willing to follow.

Carter writes with great emotion, and clearly refutes neoconservative arguments on abortion, the death penalty, the war in Iraq. (I was appalled by this fact: 90% of all executions are carried out in just four countries: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United States. In fact, our nation and Somalia (which has no organized government) are the only two that have refused to ratify the International Covenant on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits execution for crimes committed by children. Nice company we're in.)

I found myself moved by his dismay and amazed by some of his facts, but I didn't finish the book with any sense of purpose. He does not offer much of a solution to the problems that are facing our country. He very clearly writes against what we should not be doing but doesn't really tell us what we should be doing to stem this tide.

I guess I can always look at my "Bush Countdown" clock for that... show less

Say what you will about Carter's presidency, but since he left office, I think he has (for the most part) proven to be a moral compass for our nation. Seeking peace at every turn, he decries the current administration's pre-emptive war policy, our tarnished reputation in the rest of the world, and our lousy stewardship of our planet. He even calls out our current President on his religious claims, inquiring 'Isn't Jesus supposed to be the Prince of PEACE?" Ouch. Gothca, W!

Jimmy Carter is one of the finest, most honest politicians and presidents the U.S. has elected, as well as being one of the most intelligent, religious and well educated, and his insights, evaluations, warnings and frustrations are all laid bare here.

One of the things that struck me is the continued timeliness of the book despite having been published in 2005. His analysis of the Middle East situation is "spot-on" and his concerns for the long term thoughtlessness and selfishness of U.S. political decisions are prophetic after eleven years. Statistics and information are well documented.

This book should be a "must read" regardless of one's political philosophy.

I found myself substantially agreeing with nearly all of Carter's analysis and prescriptions for the issues discussed. There are nits to pick, of course. For me personally, the biggest was a failure to discuss the vast potential for active transportation to affect the crises of climate change, oil dependence, and poverty. But that aside, the book made me appreciate the challenges of his presidency and his decisions as president, as well as the work he's engaged in since. Without a doubt, he's been one of our most accomplished ex-presidents, positively effecting countless lives through his foundation, his public service, and the inspiration of his character. It certainly would be interesting to read Carter's analysis of the Obama and show more Trump administrations through the lens of morality and values. show less

Former president Carter is often characterized as a devout Christian peanut farmer. While that is accurate he is much more than that. This book reveals that he is also a career Navy man and a nuclear physicist and of course, former POTUS who has a unique and invaluable perspective of world affairs as well as Christian beliefs. Although many may expect a narrow minded, Christian-centric diatribe against people who don't share his beliefs this book is a well thought out study of the endangered values of the US. After reading the book I have a new found respect for this amazing man. His revelation of many problems with the US government and the negative influence of fundamentalist thinking was not a total surprise. The insight into the show more details and extent of the problem was, at times, frightening. I recommend this book to anyone who gives a damn about our world and fellow humans regardless of personal beliefs. show less

I found this book to be a fascinating examination of the simultaneous rise of fundamentalism in religion and politics -- not only in other countries but our own. Carter reiterates his own Christian faith to ensure his readers do not misinterpret his views as anti-faith ... instead drawing bold paradoxes between the biblical Jesus and the political agenda which most virulently aligns itself "with Jesus." Though I, too, struggled with the lack of reference noting, I found Carter's assessment incisive.