Former Democrat Zell Miller Says a Late Life Christian Conversion Made Him Conservative
Posted by Jim Hoft on Sunday, July 22, 2012, 1:44 PM
Former Democrat Senator and Governor Zell Miller lambasted far left MSNBC host Chris Matthews after he spoke at the 2004 RNC Convention in support of George W. Bush. At one point Miller told Matthews to “Get out of my face!” and challenged him to a duel.
This weekend the former governor told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution what made him change his ways after all of those years as a Democrat. Miller explains it as a late life Christian conversion.
We could use a few more of those conversions right now.
The AJC reported:
it would be more accurate to say that Miller has turned inward. At times, he is his own harshest critic. Take that 2004 televised confrontation with Matthews.
“That was terrible. I embarrassed myself. I’d rather it had not happened,” Miller said. “But Chris Matthews is not one of my favorite people.”
For those who have tracked Miller’s career, one of the greatest unanswered questions has been the source of his last rightward turn. What sparked not only his admiration for President Bush, but turned him into a strict opponent of abortion and a harsh critic of this nation’s social mores?
Religion, Miller said. “I had a conversion. I had a late life conversion. I changed my views on several things. This had to do with my son going blind, and me having to carry him to the doctor with his hand on my shoulder,” Miller said. This was in the early 2000s. His son, Matt, had been a lifelong diabetic.
“I prayed and prayed that they could do something about his sight,” Miller said. The prayers seemed to work. “He can see pretty good out of one eye right now.”
But a bargain struck with God often transforms the petitioner more than the object of any plea. “I changed on a lot of things. Not just abortion, but my whole life in general. I was a pretty rough character in my younger days. I needed to change,” Miller said.
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Ariel commented:
All I can say is: “Welcome to the party, pal!” I’d rather have ya’ll with us, than agin’ us.
Sasja commented:
This reminds me of a story I heard along time ago. I am paraphrasing but it goes something like this.
A man went to a barbershop to get his hair cut and his beard trimmed. While he sat in the chair, he and the barber began to talk about many things. Eventually it led to the subject of religion and God in particular. The barber stated he did not believe God exists because of all the pain and suffering in the world. The man did not respond because he did not want to start an argument.
Upon leaving the barbershop he noticed a man with unkempt hair and a straggely beard. This gave him an idea. He re-entered the shop and said to the barber. “Barbers do not exist.” The barber looks at him and says, “How can you say that?
I am here, I am a barber and I just worked on you.”
“No!” the man replied. If barbers existed there would be no one with unkempt hair and a straggely beard like that man outside.”
The barber replied, “Ha. Barbers do exist. That is what happens when people do not come to me.”
“Exactly,” affirmed the customer. God does exist and the pain and suffering exists because people do not seek Him out and live according to His Word.”
Fuquay Steve commented:
When christ enters your life – the wheel of ignorance is broken.
Minty commented:
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Sound like commie talk to me…
Robert commented:
#6
Selling your possessions by choice and
having the government take them
are two different types of actions.
Go sit in the corner and think about that.
VotingFemale commented:
Some of the Staunched Conservatives are former Liberals…
Examples, to name two: Ronald Reagan and Andrew Breitbart
There are many like them who are not celebrities and fight the good fight against Liberal Totalitarianism and the real American way of life.
Ariel commented:
#4 July 22, 2012 at 2:29 pm
Sasja commented:
Thank you, Sasja, for that timely parable, although I would hazard a guess that, as a people, humanity resembles the unkempt man with the scraggly beard, not the clean cut man leaving the shop.
It is we who have turned our backs on God since the beginning. Atheists will try to use the tragic consequences of our rebellion (ie. a violent, sinful world) as evidence He does not exist. We who know God, know better, for His mercy endures forever. Were it not for His grace, no flesh would be saved, for “we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God”.(Rom. 3:23)
Why God chose to provide a way for our salvation, I’ll never know. Maybe He sees something in us worth salvaging, Who knows? But one thing I do know: Jesus is that “way”, even as He, Himself has declared:
” …I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14: 6
Remco Kimber commented:
Have long said that you cannot, simply cannot, be a Democrat and a Christian.
Name any issue. Democrats are on the wrong side.
bg commented:
++
Minty #6 July 22, 2012 at 2:50 pm
numerous “Jesus quotes” have been, and will continue to be, taken
“out of context”.. but hey, we all know nothing is perfect. that said..
while i believe there are many who come as near to perfection as
humanely possible.. there are also many who walk amongst them
who are far from it, which not only makes it hard for those striving
to follow in Jesus foot steps so to speak, but for others to discern
the difference.. again, that said..
Jesus was no commie (#22), and you obviously
have not a clue as to what a commie is (#37)..
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bg commented:
++
VotingFemale #8 July 22, 2012 at 3:27 pm
so true..
many who post here are as well..
i for one was and stiil am a John
& Robert F. Kennedy Democrat..
as many wise folks stated since 9/11, they
did not leave the party, the party left them..
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bg commented:
gotta ♥ Zell
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bg commented:
++
fact is, i am more of a LIBERAL BY DEFINITION than any
liberal, not to mention a few conservatives, i know today..
[Liberalism (from the Latin liberalis) is a political ideology or worldview
founded on ideas of liberty and equality. Liberals espouse a wide array
of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but
generally liberals support ideas such as capitalism (either regulated or
not), constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human
rights and the free exercise of religion.]
it’s what they’ve morphed in
tothat plagues the planet..
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Scott commented:
Zell Miller was the speaker at my high school graduation in the mountains of northeast Georgia back in 1983. Although he was a Democrat at the time even I, a staunch conservative and Reagan disciple who, could tell he wasn’t your typical party-line politician. It pleases me to get more information on his ultimate transformation. Wish we had more like him……in both parties.
sandy commented:
Millions of Dems voted for McCain after Hillary was trashed in 08 but I have to wonder why more Pols didn’t follow suit. Obama treats Congress like pond scum. Suddenly the party has no money to give to those Dems running for Congressional seats. Then there’s Pelosi telling the Dems they don’t even need to show up at the Convention–that Obama will have a big enough audience without them.
To Obama the Congressional Dems are meaningless since he found he could get everything done by executive order.
bobdog commented:
I remember Miller making an absolutely stunning speech to the Republican National Convention in 2004. It was one of the best political speeches I’ve ever heard. This was a Democrat, speaking at the RNC, and he got a well-deserved standing ovation.
“What has happened to my party?”
Either Google “zell miller speech convention” or go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXSQ5BX6YXg
Really. If you liked Sarah Palin’s address, you’ll love hearing Miller again. You won’t regret spending a few minutes listening to him. Hell, at the time, I wanted him to become part of Bush’s cabinet.
Sasja commented:
I switched parties when Clinton was elected. I had never voted for a dhim and with his election decided it was time to change my party affiliation. Kennedy did lean right on economic issues, I must admit.
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