Our Fore-Fathers, Their Beliefs and Our History

This is one of the pages in Thomas Jefferson's original syllabus that appeared in a 'first ever' private edition of the doctrines of Jesus, by him in 1803. This is the exact wording he wrote, found in his introduction. (Resource: Jeffersons "Bible" The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth. Originally published Wash. DC, 1904 LoC)

There are various thoughts on what Jefferson believed, however, this gives some information to how he thought of the bible in it's entirety. By all of his writtings, it is obvious that he appreciated the bible as a whole, as he bought and distributed them...but, personally, it appears he had some misgivings about parts of it and those writers, as well as Jesus' divinity. However, his intentions were very good, and having questions about Christianity, or not understanding everything about it does not mean one is not a Christian....and actually, no one can know everything about God, or know everything about anything for that matter...  

 

 

 

God knows the heart.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Founders like Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Payne and James Madison used words that paved the way for rights they did not fully understand…as they could not even imagine that anyone but a white male property owner could have voting rights…or the other freedoms they had should also be extended to women and blacks. Thank goodness there was majesty in their words that allowed future readers and future courts to understand the Constitution and Declaration at their best, with potential for freedoms and voting rights that could not be imagined by the Founders.

***********************************

 

 The establishment clause was added in the First Amendment because of the insistence of a group of Baptists who wanted to be assured that the government would not favor or disfavor any religion or belief. This has been the distinctive character of our nation.

The following is:

 

~Jefferson's Original Letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802~

To messieurs Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, &; Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.
Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, &; in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man &; his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, &; 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. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection &; blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves &; your religious association, assurances of my high respect &; esteem.
Thomas Jefferson
Jan. 1. 1802.

Please see: 

http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danbury.html

　

　

http://www.usconstitution.net/consttop_sepp.html