Posted on 05/18/2011 1:26:15 PM PDT by TheConservativeCitizen
Seems like a lot of folks present old Thomas Jefferson as not being a Christian, not being religious, being a Deist, and just different from the other fifty-five signers of the Constitution. It seems folks just like to shoot off their mouth to prove a point without making sure what their shooting is good ammunition. I especially like the use of Mr. Jefferson statement of the “wall between church and state” to denote “the separation of church and state.” It sounds so good but was that what he meant?
Mr. Jefferson, are you are Christian? “(My views on Christianity) are the result of a life of inquiry & reflection, and very different from that anti-Christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions. To the corruptions of Christianity I am indeed opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus himself. I am a Christian, in the only sense he wished any one to be; sincerely attached to his doctrines, in preference to all others; ascribing to himself every human excellence; & believing he never claimed any other.“
Mr Jefferson, in response to the letter you received from the Danbury Baptist association, what did you mean by “wall of separation?” ”All persons shall have full and free liberty of religious opinion; nor shall any be compelled to frequent or maintain any religious institution.”
(At the time he wrote the response to the Danbury Baptist Association, President Jefferson was attending church in the Capitol Building on Sunday mornings. He had begun worshiping there while vice president. The church meeting in the Capitol Building continued to the time of the Civil War. Mr. Jefferson also allowed church meetings in the executive offices and church services were held in the Supreme Court’s court room. So much for “separation of church and state.” Actions speak louder than words.)
Mr. Jefferson what do you feel is the best form of exercise? “ A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be your constant companion of your walks.”
One last question Mr. Jefferson. I appreciate your graciousness to be interviewed today. What do you think of the Tea Party? ”What country can preserve its liberties, if its rulers are not warned from time to time that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms.”
Uhh, Sir would you mind elaborating on that? ”I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical. Unsuccessful rebellions, indeed, generally establish the encroachments on the rights of the people which have produced them. An observation of this truth should render honest republican governors so mild in their punishment of rebellions as not to discourage them too much. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of the government.”
In other words, not a Christian, because he only ascribed human excellence to Jesus, and did not believe He is the Son of the Living God.
Besides, I believe Jefferson was American Ambassador to France, in Paris avoiding the Jacobin rabble, when the Constitution was being crafted.
James Madison was the chief architect, I believe, NOT Jefferson.
Yup. Jefferson never signed the document of the centralizing counter-revolution promulgated at in Philidelphia in that scorching summer of 1787 because he was in France.
Nice phrase.
Only because Hamilton allowed him to be perceived as such. Hamilton, imo, was the ringleader. Madison did a lot of the grunt work, but all of it to Hamilton (and Washington's) preferences.
” making sure what their shooting is good ammunition”
what rich irony there is in such a malaprop.
Neither Adams or Jefferson were elected to be delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
Neither Adams or Jefferson were elected to be delegates to the Constitutional Convention.
There were 56 siigners to the Declaration of Independance and 38 or 39 (I forget which) to the Constitution. So I believe the author intend to say Declaration of Independance instead of Constitution.
Jefferson was not a Christian. He was also not a delegate of the Constitutional Convention.
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