Glad to, they only bolster my point that Jefferson saw that government was for making laws and not for supporting or trumpeting religion, in any way. You think T Jeff would want creationism taught in school? --- In summation, he has always stuck me as a man that was unparalleled in his ability to be forward thinking. The fact that many people see what the founders set forth as concrete would seem baffling to Jefferson. He knew that he couldn't foretell what was to come. I think of the following quote often these days in regard to so many policy debates, especially "the right to bear arms," It is so obvious to me why christian conservatives see the constitution as gospel and the founders as gods, they're believers. There is an inherent need to "believe." I came across an interesting quote from Bukowski recently, "The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence." -Jefferson wasn't stupid... but we're living in a world full of stupid right now, which is scary stuff. Regarding Jefferson and religion. It seems to me that Jefferson adored Christ's teachings but didn't see Christ as a "god" or a "miracle worker." That stuff was silly to him. The teachings were enough. Regarding separation of church and state, his statements support that he saw governments role to be one of ensuring harm wasn't done to individuals but saw no harm in someone believing, not believing etc. That the government would teach or promote any particular belief system seems counter to what he would have wanted. He was a progressive, extremely intelligent fella. Imagine what he would think about politics today?"Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear."
The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg. ... Reason and free enquiry are the only effectual agents against error
He also rejected the idea of the divinity of Christ, but as he writes to William Short on October 31, 1819, he was convinced that the fragmentary teachings of Jesus constituted the "outlines of a system of the most sublime morality which has ever fallen from the lips of man."
-My goodness, I wish more "christians" were like Jefferson in their approach. It's not the miracles, the eucharist, the father, son and holy spirit that matter. IT'S THE TEACHINGS. THE LESSONS HE PUT FORTH! Man, oh man, how different would the world be if it were the teachings and the philosophy of Jesus Christ we focused on instead of the death and "resurrection" of him? But fear fills pews and the promise of eternal life conveniently answers the oldest question. he recognized the novelty of his own religious beliefs. On June 25, 1819, he wrote to Ezra Stiles Ely, "I am of a sect by myself, as far as I know."
"The question [w]hether one generation of men has a right to bind another. . . is a question of such consequences as not only to merit decision, but place also among the fundamental principles of every government. . . . I set out on this ground, which I suppose to be self-evident, 'that the earth belongs in usufruct to the living'
-Read that last bit over and over again to yourself. It seems simple, but it's pretty damned amazing. It takes a great mind to be that forward thinking and humble. We all need to appreciate our founders, but we tend to make "gods" out of them and gospel out of their work.