When he wrote that, Jefferson's idea of a "creator" was likely quite a bit different from yours. That line was also based on George Mason's earlier Virginia Declaration of Rights, which states that rights are "inherent" by nature, not that they are granted by any creator.
That’s true. But even though he had a different concept of “creator” as the source of the rights of man, that wouldn’t necessarily have put the concept in conflict with those who held more orthodox religious views; for example, some of those who signed off on the Declaration, or the vast majority of the Americans of his time or since then. I’m sure Jefferson had his audience in mind when he wrote.
Christianity, at its best, proclaims the equality of all people before God. Christians haven’t always practiced that, but early Christianity was very egalitarian in that regard, as were the Methodism and other Pietistic movements that flourished during Jefferson’s time.
Now, I don’t ordinarily discuss religion nor wear my religion on my sleeve, and I am very comfortable with minding my own business and letting everyone believe as he pleases. I couldn’t be an atheist, but I am more than willing to let an atheist be one. But “God-Less America” is silly, because that is never how we have understood ourselves.
Actually no...you are wrong... the words “Creator” and “Him” were DEFINITELY used. Pretty clear to me and all those not in Rio Lindo.