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The Thomas Jefferson Discussion Group
of Orlando, Florida
Meeting No. 43 - November 16, 2004
Holiday House Restaurant, Orlando, Florida
THIS MONTH'S TOPIC:
JEFFERSON AND RELIGION
Our November meeting: "Thomas Jefferson’s “Religion?" - What were Thomas Jefferson's religious beliefs? Did he believe in a higher power? What role, if any, did he feel religion should play in the birthing of a new nation? What lessons can we apply to today’s political landscape?
"I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
Although Mr. Jefferson evoked a supreme being frequently in his public and private discourse, he was certainly no fan of organized religion -
"The Gothic idea that we were to look backwards instead of forwards for the improvement of the human mind, and to recur to the annals of our ancestors for what is most perfect in government, in religion and in learning, is worthy of those bigots in religion and government by whom it has been recommended, and whose purposes it would answer. But it is not an idea which this country will endure." - Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley - 1800.
Jefferson believed in the progression of the human mind -
"... But I know, also, that laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths disclosed, and manners and opinions change with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also, and keep pace with the times." and "We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors." - Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Kercheval - 1816
He was called a deist, a Unitarian, and by some, "the devil incarnate!"
He certainly did not wear his religion on his sleeve -
"...But our rulers can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God. The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." - Thomas Jefferson: Notes on Virginia
He had what some would call the "audacity" to edit the New Testament – To Jefferson, it was clear what Jesus actually said, and what was said for him by others and, then, attributed to him – It’s come to be called "The Jefferson Bible." (I’ll have my copy with me on Tuesday)
Some might say his "religion" was "freedom!" It was certainly his obsession. To him, human freedom was always the prerequisite to human happiness. And, the pursuit of human happiness was ordained from above. After all, in his words, "... They (men) are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these, are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." His original words, again, showing even more of a "heavenly" connection: "...They (men) are endowed by their Creator with certain sacred and undeniable rights..." Franklin was responsible for the more politically correct (even if incorrect English), "inalienable."
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