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"To
the corruptions of
Christianity 1 am
indeed opposed, but not
to the genuine precepts
of Jesus himself
1 ama Christian, but 1
am a Christian only
in the sense in which 1
believe Jesus wished
anyone to be.
"
18
Thomas Jefferson
The lh1rd Presiden! of the United States was a champion of religious freedom as
was his successor, James Madison. Jetferson wrote the bill tor religious freedom in
Vi rginia. He was a philosophical "father-figure" of the Bill of Rights.
Because of his disregard for denominationalism, Thomas Jefferson was
frequen tl y attacked asan unbeliever. He defended himself to the point of wnting
The Lite and Morals of
Jesus- his own compilation of the heart, roo! and core of
the teachings of Jesus Ch rist.
However, it must be sa1d of Jefferson that he leaned heav1ly in the d1rect1on of
Deism- apparently denymg the b1blical miracles. On !he other side, 1t mus! also
be said that he hadan enormous interest in the Christian religion .
Toa good friend, "He wrote that his religious beliefs were the ' result of a lite of
inqwy and ref lecti on , and are very different from the Anti -Christian system
attributed l o me by those who know noth ing of my op1nions.
To the corruptions of
Christianity 1
am
indeed opposed.
but not to the genu ine precepts of Jesus h1mself.
1
ama Christian, but
1
ama Christian only in the sense in which
1
believe Jesus
wished anyone to be, sincerely attached to his doctrine in preference lo al\ others;
ascribing to h1m al\ human excellence, and believmg that he never claimed any
other' "
(In God We Trust,
p.
11
7)
.The PLAIN TRUTH July
197~