Mister Rogers Fred Rogers

Wisdom from Mister Rogers: 10 Faith-Based Quotes by Fred Rogers

on February 9, 2018

Fred Rogers become a beloved icon to multiple generations as host of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. He remains so revered in contemporary American culture that the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced earlier this month that they are releasing a stamp featuring Rogers.

The U.S. Postal Service announced its "Mister Rogers" stamp honoring Fred Rogers on February 2. The stamp will go on sale on March 23. (Photo Credit: U.S. Postal Service)
The U.S. Postal Service announced its “Mister Rogers” stamp honoring Fred Rogers on February 2. The stamp will go on sale on March 23. (Photo Credit: U.S. Postal Service)

Rogers tackled a host of life issues with wisdom and winsome words during the half-hour program over the course of more than three decades, from February 19, 1968, until August 31, 2001, not long before his passing on February 27, 2003. The USPS cited the positive influence of Mister Rogers in their media advisory on February 2 announcing the stamp: “He discussed many of the experiences of growing up, delicately covering everything from sharing and friendship to difficult subjects like anger, fear and divorce.”

This stamp news came just days after Sony TriStar Pictures revealed that it planned to produce a biopic about Rogers starring actor Tom Hanks. Production is scheduled to begin this fall.

Besides his thoughtful demeanor, fewer fans of Mister Rogers may know about his deep religious convictions. Rogers graduated from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and became an ordained Presbyterian minister. Columnist Tyler Huckabee wrote about Rogers’ Christian faith for The Washington Post on January 30: “It may sound old-fashioned, but Mister Rogers’s theology was radical in 1962 when his show debuted, and it remains radical today. That’s why it resonated. That’s why it’s still necessary.”

Surely the faith of Rogers filtered into the wisdom he communicated on air. His beliefs come into greater focus in his writings and comments off air. So in honor of Rogers, in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of his passing and just weeks before what would have been his 90th birthday, here are 10 inspiring quotes:

(1) “I believe that appreciation is a holy thing—that when we look for what’s best in a person we happen to be with at the moment, we’re doing what God does all the time. So in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we’re participating in something sacred.” (Fred Rogers, Commencement Address at Marquette University, May 2001)

(2) “I’m fairly convinced that the Kingdom of God is for the broken-hearted. You write of ‘powerlessness.’ Join the club, we are not in control. God is.” (Fred Rogers, Letter to Tim Madigan)

(3) “I believe that at the center of the universe there dwells a loving spirit who longs for all that’s best in all of creation, a spirit who knows the great potential of each planet as well as each person, and little by little will love us into being more than we ever dreamed possible. That loving spirit would rather die than give up on any one of us.” (Fred Rogers, Life’s Journeys According to Mister Rogers: Things to Remember Along the Way)

(4) “At the center of the Universe is a loving heart that continues to beat and that wants the best for every person. Anything that we can do to help foster the intellect and spirit and emotional growth of our fellow human beings, that is our job. Those of us who have this particular vision must continue against all odds. Life is for service.” (Fred Rogers)

(5) “In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of — moments when we human beings can say ‘I love you,’ ‘I’m proud of you,’ ‘I forgive you,’ ‘I’m grateful for you.’ That’s what eternity is made of: invisible imperishable good stuff.” (Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember)

(6) “When I say it’s you I like, I’m talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed.”  (Fred Rogers, Commencement Address at Dartmouth College, June 9, 2002)

(7) “Little by little we human beings are confronted with situations that give us more and more clues that we are not perfect.” (Fred Rogers, Thoughts for All Ages)

(8) “Love is like infinity: You can’t have more or less infinity, and you can’t compare two things to see if they’re “equally infinite.” Infinity just is, and that’s the way I think love is, too.” (Fred Rogers, The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to Remember)

(9) “One of my wise teachers, Dr. Orr, told me, ‘There is only one thing evil cannot stand, and that is forgiveness.’” (Fred Rogers)

(10) “It’s a mistake to think that we have to be lovely to be loved by human beings or by God.” (Fred Rogers, You Are Special: Words of Wisdom for All Ages from a Beloved Neighbor)

  1. Comment by Marion & Mary Woods on February 9, 2018 at 12:56 pm

    We loved Mr. Rogers! Thank you! One day in Winter Park, Florida, where they said he stayed in the winter months, he came out of the house which was next door to our Methodist Parsonage. What a thrill to see him in his gray sweater and I quickly said to him, “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, Mr Rogers.” And he smiled and went on his way to the library where the pastor told me he spent much time while in Winter Park. We watched the program in Erie, PA and sometimes the Public Television Station would have his ‘characters’ as guests.

  2. Comment by Paul W. on February 9, 2018 at 6:41 pm

    I’d be interested to know whether he ever said anything explicitly Christian? All of the quotes listed, while there’s nothing wrong with them, are fairly generic love and justice comments that we hear frequently even from non-Christians, e.g., Oprah. Can you delve deeper into his Christian beliefs, i.e., did he ever talk about Jesus, the cross, salvation, or evangelism? If he truly had deep religious convictions, what were they?

  3. Comment by J on March 20, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    He never discussed anything about Christianity, because to be a true Christian means you love and forgive all, regardless if they believe in another God or no gods at all. That is, he was not good because he was Christian, he is just a good human being.

  4. Comment by Patrick on June 30, 2018 at 8:47 pm

    Wrong, that’s human decency, which many lack today sadly, especially towards Christians. No, if you’re a true Christian, your heart bleeds for the salvation of others and you like to see the name of Jesus preached for that very reason. However, we will agree Mr. Rogers was our era’s teacher of human decency.

  5. Comment by Adrian on July 10, 2018 at 6:34 pm

    Loving our neighbor, the Kingdom of God, forgiveness, love over hate, peace over war, and an infinitely loving and merciful God. That’s the essence of Christianity. It’s all there in his own words.

  6. Comment by Nick on July 11, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    Your first word says it “all.” Your “right” and anyone who doesn’t think what you think is the word you used.
    As an ordained pastor, Mr Rogers lived and reflected the “heart of Jesus” which he understood through his Christian study and discernment. He articulated Jesus’ heart in his books, written wisdom and his show.

  7. Comment by JP Grier on September 3, 2018 at 11:13 am

    Patrick nailed it pretty good, the reality of Jesus Christ, the fullest expression of God’s love is the beating heart of the Christian. I do however want to assure us there are many folks who according to our standards are pretty good human beings (Fred Rodgers) and shamefully shine as light more brighter than many of us who profess Christ as our Savoir.

  8. Comment by Mary Miller Woods on April 19, 2019 at 7:19 pm

    Mr. Rogers didn’t have to talk about Christianity! He lived it!!!

  9. Comment by Jeneane Reed on November 27, 2019 at 8:26 am

    Amen!

  10. Comment by Dennis on February 11, 2018 at 7:54 pm

    I believe that Fred Rogers purposely avoided mentioning Jesus because he wanted to be inclusive of EVERYONE in the neighborhood. Not just Christians.

  11. Comment by Erik on July 6, 2018 at 4:04 pm

    I agree. After seeing the movie on him and his acceptance of the postman character and his sexuality, it’s enlightening. I wish all people would include everyone and not condemn people they do not know. Unfortunately some have taken over their interpretation of their holy scriptures to use for evil.

  12. Comment by Alan on July 21, 2018 at 11:56 pm

    I don’t think you can make that conclusion ref. his attitude toward the postman. Even though he loved the postman, that does not imply acceptance of his lifestyle. Christians are to hate all sin but demonstrate love to all sinners- which is everyone- but not condoning, accepting or excusing sin, their own or anyone else’s

  13. Comment by Cathy Stritt on June 5, 2018 at 7:36 am

    My favorite story of Mr. Rogers is entwined with a story about President George H. Bush. My son was three at the time and watched Mr. Rogers every morning with me while I was in bed rest with my twins. This was early 1990 and George H. Bush was then president. My son loved watching Mr. Rogers. President Bush gave his State of Union address in 1990. His message was having a “kinder and gentler nation.” Oh if our president now could only send this message to our country, but I digress. After President Bush’s speech my son leans over to me and says: “He looks and talks like Mr. Rogers, mom. He’s just like him!” It was the sweetest comparison. I jotted off a note to Mrs. Barbara Bush because I thought she would appreciate my son’s sentiments more than President Bush may and it had a better chance of reaching her than President Bush. Lo and behold a few weeks later we received a note back from Mrs. Bush, with a warm reply stating she would pass along my son’s thoughts to President Bush and that my son’s comparison to Mr. Rogers brought a smile to her that day. What a wonderful memory. And what a wonderful tribute to President H. Bush to be likened to Mr. Rogers.

  14. Comment by Robert Topalian on September 6, 2018 at 11:32 am

    From the time I was a child I couldent stand Mr Rogers. I hated the normal, irritating, metered kindness, restrained calm, the grey cardigan sweater and measured voice tone. There was an evil in the world……I could sense it. That evil needed subduing, it needed to be exposed, opposed, fought and conquered……and Mr. Rogers was incredibly sloth in responding or even admitting the reality of that evil. I have fought and opposed that evil, made manifest in a global cabal which has risen to its near pinnacle as it moves toward total control of a society put forth in the west by God in his promise to Abraham, ” I will make your offspring as the sands of the sea,” as that cabal prepares to enthrone it’s false god known in text as “Antichrist.” For my part in this battle against Lucifer, I have not been a passive, kind, considerate operative though my appointment was specifically ordained by the King, Jesus. The spectrum of Christians appointed and raised up by Jesus is as vast and sweeping as “sands of the sea.” We are all so remarkably different yet we all must recognize that quality, that power which shakes the universe, called forgiveness as the primary weapon programmed into each of us by the Holy Spirit……a “weapon” that is also “healer”, “giver”. It has taken me a lifetime to come to the startling realization that Mr. Rogers, who I could not stand as an extremely active, “get Justice established against the bad people now” child, was not only a good man in his tv show with his irritatingly smooth cardigan and slow, measured dialogue, but he was a Christian……as valid as me in my appointed commission……appointed by Jesus on no uncertain terms. I never would have believed it……Mr. Rogers, an effective, essential, spiritual warrior. But he was, I can see it now. I have no choice, that Holy Spirit, to whom I belong, has made me see it.

  15. Comment by Ethan on October 31, 2018 at 4:49 pm

    Mister Rogers is the waë and there is not point in arguing over religion. I’m 15 and I watch Mister Rogers.

  16. Comment by Jeff on November 15, 2019 at 2:44 am

    In 1992 while managing a hotel in California Mr. Roger’s checked in one evening. After growing up watching him , the first thing I noticed was that his demeanor and kindness was exactly how he was on the show. About two years before he came in that day, I repented, believed in the gospel, became a born again Christian and have been following Christ up to this day. I am now currently attending Seminary. Back to my encounter with Mr. Rogers- The next morning I saw Mr. Rogers again and asked him if he’d like to join me in the hotel restaurant for a cup of coffee. He agreed and we had a nice conversation. One of the many questions I asked was how he has managed to stay so kind and gentle all these years. Right away he said it was because of Christ. Before that point, I had no idea he was a Christian. He then went on from there to share more about what he believed. He talked about sin, the consequences of sin, what Christ did on the cross, the resurrection, and the importance of believing/faith. Believe me, I may not remember most of my conversations with people, but because it was Mr. Rogers, and because my faith grew over the years, that conversation became more and more special to me. Based on what else he shared , it seems like his kindness was done because of his love for God that compelled him to love others, rather than for his salvation. He made it very clear to me that salvation was not by our works. Last thing he told me was ” Jeff, have a beautiful day today” I will cherish that conversation and am looking forward to seeing him in heaven.

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