In the beginning there was candidate Jimmy Carter, facing waves of reporters demanding an answer to the urgent question: What exactly is a "born-again Christian?"

Most political insiders were shocked to learn that millions of evangelicals, fundamentalists, Pentecostals, charismatics and even some people in historic-church pews fit under this theological umbrella. Most of these folks even planned to vote.

There were more plot twists ahead. The born-again crowd wasn't well organized -- yet. Also, many evangelicals didn't want this particular Southern Baptist in the White House, while others cheered him on. It was all very complex and most journalists acted as if the Martians had landed. The earth moved.

"When I ran in 1976 ... the Moral Majority, so called, Jerry Falwell and them, were not even known. I mean, it was a tiny little movement," said Carter. "Somebody told me, once when I was on the campaign trail, that there was a fellow named Jerry Falwell who was criticizing my Christian beliefs. I didn't know who he was."

Soon, Falwell was on the cover of Time and the media had discovered the Religious Right. Meanwhile, many on the left asked how Carter could mix evangelicalism and politics. Many on the right said his faith wasn't influencing his politics enough.

Today, these debates rage on. While Carter remains a strong supporter of church-state separation, he said he never has understood how anyone can expect politicians to make this kind of division at the personal level. This issue is at the heart of "Living Faith," the former president's introspective new book.

"You can't separate one's own religious faith from your experiences if you're a classroom teacher, or if you're a medical doctor, or if you're a lawyer, or if you have a job in a grocery store," he said. "I never have found any serious disharmony between my own religious faith, which has fluctuated during my lifetime in its sincerity or fervency, ... (and) with my responsibilities as a senator, or governor or president."

Nevertheless, Carter's 11th book contains many references to the religious tensions that shaped his years in the White House and afterwards -- from his chat with Playboy about sexual temptation to theological lessons learned in Middle East diplomacy. He also discusses his agonizing internal debates over abortion, his military career and other issues of life and death.

It will surprise no one that "Living Faith" includes many criticisms of the Religious Right. Obviously, Carter said he doesn't mind that Christians have become more politically active. But he does worry that some evangelical superstars appear to have become more interested in government policies than in asking people to repent of their sins. For example, many act as if homosexuality is the single greatest problem facing America, while avoiding sins -- statistically -- affect many more people in church pews.

For example, writes Carter, "almost all Protestants, including those allied with the Christian Right, will now acknowledge divorce as an acceptable choice for unhappy couples, and they rarely speak out against `fornication' or adultery, although Jesus repeatedly condemned these acts." He notes that the church has fallen silent on other lifestyle issues that threaten millions, such as "smoking, improper diet, lack of exercise, sexual promiscuity, carelessness with firearms and driving while intoxicated."

It may actually be easier for religious leaders to avoid clarity today than it is for politicians -- who are finding it harder and harder to hide. Carter found it especially ironic that Pat Robertson choose to publicly address some of the moral and ethical issues in his own life when he ran for president in 1988. Apparently, no such clarifications were needed when he was merely a powerful Christian broadcaster and educator.

It's important for Christians to be active in the public square, said Carter. But it's even more important for believers to face tough issues in their private lives.

"We are all," stressed Carter, "inclined as human beings to condemn people who commit sins of which we are not guilty. That's human nature."n the beginning there was candidate Jimmy Carter, facing waves of reporters demanding an answer to the urgent question: What exactly is a "born-again Christian?"

Most political insiders were shocked to learn that millions of evangelicals, fundamentalists, Pentecostals, charismatics and even some people in historic-church pews fit under this theological umbrella. Most of these folks even planned to vote.

There were more plot twists ahead. The born-again crowd wasn't well organized -- yet. Also, many evangelicals didn't want this particular Southern Baptist in the White House, while others cheered him on. It was all very complex and most journalists acted as if the Martians had landed. The earth moved.

It's important for Christians to be active in the public square, said Carter. But it's even more important for believers to face tough issues in their private lives.

"We are all," stressed Carter, "inclined as human beings to condemn people who commit sins of which we are not guilty. That's human nature."