Thomas Jefferson's God

Thomas Jefferson's religious beliefs are (and were) controversial. He seems to have been a free-thinker who changed his position throughout his life. However, he was always at odds with Christian orthodoxy. His complex beliefs are perhaps closest to Deism, although has also described himself as an Epicurean, and Unitarian.

Tragically the position of Jefferson and other Founding Fathers, many of whom were also Deists, has been hijacked by the Christian Right, who see any mention of 'God' as identifying with their Christian deity (deities) rather than the abstract concept of god held by the Deists.

Today, any politician declaring himself a Deist or Unitarian (or to take it to the logical next step, and atheist) - and thus denying the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth - would be viciously attacked for their beliefs, and would never have a chance of attaining real power. George Bush snr declared that atheists were not, in his opinion, even to be cosidered true citizens or patriots. This is a terrible indictment of the backwards slide of reason and freethinking in America.

Jefferson believed that a separation of church and state should be maintained. It is reprehensible that his personal belief in a god is being misrepresented by Christians who wish to see Jefferson's dreaded 'Priest-ridden Society' implemented in the USA.

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I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and State.

---Thomas Jefferson, letter to Danbury Baptist Association, CT., Jan. 1, 1802

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Founding
• Fathers
• Christian
• Nation
• Once
• Under
• God
• Jefferson

[LoneKook]

The only quarrel I have with this video is the statement that America has somehow "slid backwards toward the sort of Theocracy Jefferson feared". That is a gross exageration. America is nowhere near being a Theocracy.

[LoneKook]

It would seem then to me that their attempts to habilitate Jefferson as a "Christian" are nothing more than ego driven. They just want to feel as though they've won an arguement.

[LoneKook]

What gets me are Christians who still try to label Jefferson as a "Christian" and of course they do provide statements by him, but they leave these out. Another sign of their foolishness is the double standard they use when judging Jefferson as a supposed "Christian" as compared to when they judge each other as true or false Christians. Jefferson actually changed some of their Bible and they still label him "Christian" but would tell another Christian who did that they are evil and going to hell

[pablocoon]

Jefferson was against a state church like C of E (Church of England), that's afar cry from thinking that Christian moral values need be detached from statesman and their decisions.

[jb111082]

@Jacno77 As long as it's to the east side!!!

[zane98zane]

@sportstuber11 I never said anything against Ron Paul nor did i say that it was just George Bush, what i meant was that has was a great contributer to the downfall of america and 14 trillion dollar debt we are in right now

[sportstuber11]

@Buyakaasha hmm I'm sure none of what was said made Jefferson an elitist,liberal, or a socialist. I'm conservative and have many of the same beliefs as Jefferson did on religion. Well as I'm writing this it makes me think, am I really a conservative, or just a damn good free thinker hahaha

[sportstuber11]

@zane98zane To be fair, America has been on a destructive path since probably early 50's. To pass all blame on one president shows ignorance. Thank God a candidate such as Ron Paul is running. The closest thing we've ever seen to Thomas Jefferson in our lifetime.

[BeatleUniversity]

Can you tell me where I can find this music? Who is the composer as well as the conductor? Thank you.

[Jacno77]

my religion is the religion of george jefferson, now who wants to move on up!?