Christians: Did you know Thomas Jefferson also said...?

Question

"Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law."

"I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world, and do not find in our particular superstition (Christianity) one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology."

"Say nothing of my religion. It is known to my god and myself alone."

"Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch toward uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one-half the world fools and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth."

"Every Christian sect gives a great handle to Atheism by their general dogma that, without a revelation, there would not be sufficient proof of the being of god."

http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/quotes/jefferson.htm

For those who didn't know, this is in reference to this question:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Avy8A.DvO1UV9B3KGDKyjmcjzKIX?qid=20070627074618AAQajoH

April: How do you know I was reported? How can you tell? And yes, I can believe it.

I do know that Jefferson slept with and impregnated a slave, Sally Hemmings. I would also consider it rape if not sexual assault given the power imbalence of the relationship.

*REV EINSTEIN* I did cite my source in the link. If you, Rev. Einstein, can show these statments to be falsely attributed to Jefferson, I will delete this question and retract my statement. I will even post a question here showing that I was wrong!

Answer 1

Wow James.. the previous answerer who said you're trying to rewrite history obviously never read any of Jefferson's works.
Thanks for sharing those quotes. For those christians who keep using him as an example of the U.S. being founded on christian principles, this should be an eye-opener.

Answer 2

Jefferson did not hate religions, or Christianity ..... but he was smart enough to know that a country's laws should not be based upon a religious belief .... hence the separation of church and state. An idea that is often challenged by Christian right wing pundits who claim that our American forefathers held Christian beliefs and based our constitution on Christian beliefs.

Actually, they did all that they could to base the constitution on what they believed at the time were good "Moral" standards, not Christian standards. I say at the time because they were also smart enough to allow for future updates and changes to the laws.

I think that Jesus would be ashamed at how his teachings have been bastardized and corrupted. Jesus taught those who would listen, love one another, forgive one another, respect one another..... is that so hard to do? I believe that Buddha had the same kind of teachings... Hmmmmm

Answer 3

I think Thomas Jefferson saw how religious power in the hands of corrupt men persecuted the Church. But then, evil men are doing the same today. But because of separation of Church & State, Most true Christian leaders aren't in there for money or national power, so are honestly called there by the Lord God.

And there were self called Christians founded on mythology (false doctrines) And those were ones who murdered people who didn't believe like they did. And they are out there today also. But, most don't call themselves christians today. There are other religions to be part of that legalizes killing others not of faith. Jesus Christ is the Lord of Thomas Jefferson. So? Thomas wasn't perfect in some of the things he wrote but some was directly inspired by the Lord Jesus Christ. And, he is in heaven with the Lord today.

Answer 4

You go, girl! Let's not let the Pseudo-Christians change history any more to fit their agenda. And anyone who has the nerve to bring up Jefferson's sexual practices and slave-owning is simply removing him from his Historical Context. That was the reality and the norm of his universe at that time. He would have been completely normal. Just like stoning was a common punishment during the lifetime of Jesus, as were honor-killlings, blood-sacrifices (in the Jewish Temple), etc. This is disgusting to us today, but we as humanity have evolved and learned from our past, as we continue to do. This is an invalid argument.

Answer 5

I agree with Kallan
As a Canadian Christian, perhaps I'm not qualified to comment on the American Constitution. I've never had any doubt however, that the Constitution was founded and written by deists/agnostics/masons. The true tenets of Christianity are another matter altogether.
The history of the US is very interesting indeed.

blessings :)

Answer 6

AT least your interested in Christianity. That's a good start. Asking questions like that will eventually get you the answer you want, unless you're just trying to throw people off.
When it comes down to it you are responsible for your own thoughts, beliefs and actions.
To go over the entire history of the world, all the drama, all the pain, sorrow, triumph, injustice, heroic stories and well. . . you get the idea... through the telescope of the history books, literature and evidence that we have that stuff existed without seeing the hearts of the people and understanding every decision and motive that they have is like using a microscope to study the universe.
Not everything is as it seems and this is why it is easy to cover things up, come up with alternate histories as people have done to promote their beliefs (history is written by the victor), and basically just get it all wrong in attempt to believe whatever our bias of choice is that makes us feel better.
You can believe these quotes and then just form your own bias or open your mind up to all possibilities and shed from your eyes the illusion that is created to distract us.
Its tough, I know. But that's what makes life worth living.

man, i should have just said Jesus loves you or something
what a waste of time

Answer 7

Although Jefferson believed in a Creator, his concept of it resembled that of the god of deism (the term "Nature's God" used by deists of the time). With his scientific bent, Jefferson sought to organize his thoughts on religion. He rejected the superstitions and mysticism of Christianity and even went so far as to edit the gospels, removing the miracles and mysticism of Jesus (see The Jefferson Bible) leaving only what he deemed the correct moral philosophy of Jesus. -excerpt from work of historian James Walker Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because if there be one he must approve of the homage of reason more than that of blindfolded fear. -Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, August 10, 1787 Where the preamble declares, that coercion is a departure from the plan of the holy author of our religion, an amendment was proposed by inserting "Jesus Christ," so that it would read "A departure from the plan of Jesus Christ, the holy author of our religion;" the insertion was rejected by the great majority, in proof that they meant to comprehend, within the mantle of its protection, the Jew and the Gentile, the Christian and Mohammedan, the Hindoo and Infidel of every denomination. -Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, in reference to the Virginia Act for Religious Freedom I never submitted the whole system of my opinions to the creed of any party of men whatever in religion, in philosophy, in politics, or in anything else where I was capable of thinking for myself. Such an addiction is the last degradation of a free and moral agent. -Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis Hopkinson, March 13, 1789 Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, 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 Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law. -Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814

Answer 8

A lot of the founding fathers were deist, humanist, atheist or universalist. They were "registered" at the usual church but didn't really practice Christianity. They had just come from a country where the church had all the power and they were in no hurry to be part of that church. It was almost "Un-American". This continues until the "Great Enlightenment" which was several years away.

Answer 9

Well he was living in a period that had just overcome the shackles of the Catholic church. I believe that he greatly admired the moral teachings of Jesus, but not the metaphysics behind it. It is true much horrifying things have been done in the name of Christ which horrifies me. But the things that have been done in Christianitys name are an anathma to Christs teachings. The powerrs that be have always exploited religion for their economic benefit. Christ teaching was "do not even pick up a sword" for Christs sake!

Answer 10

Thomas jefferson was a great man in many ways. I don't think christians ever had any delusions about where he stood on anything. So what's your point? That we aren't a christian nation because jefferson was a deist?

The bible is full of examples of people who were not godly being used to accomplish his plan and purpose.