Thomas Jefferson -Unbeliever

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." -2nd Corinthians 4:4
 

I was greatly saddened to learn that Thomas Jefferson was NOT a Christian.  Jefferson made so many wonderful quotes concerning freedom and the dangers of the central bank.  It is tragic that such a brilliant man would be so foolish as to reject the Word of God.  I realize that there are historical writings which reveal that Thomas Jefferson claimed to be a Christian, including an actual photo of Jefferson's handwritten statement "I am a real Christian."  Nevertheless, the following quotes from Mr. Jefferson make it quite clear that he was NO Christian:

"It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are 20 gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

"History I believe furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government. This marks the lowest grade of ignorance, of which their political as well as religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose. " – Thomas Jefferson to Baron von Humboldt, 1813

"Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites" –Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1782.

"Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and importers led by Paul, the first great corrupter of the teaching of Jesus."

"The clergy converted the simple teachings of Jesus into an engine for enslaving mankind and adulterated by artificial constructions into a contrivance to filch wealth and power to themselves...these clergy, in fact, constitute the real Anti-Christ."

"And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter. But may we hope that the dawn of reason and freedom of thought in these United States will do away with this artificial scaffolding, and restore to us the primitive and genuine doctrines of this most venerated reformer of human errors." –Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, April 11, 1823

"Religions are all alike – founded upon fables and mythologies."

"I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature."

- Thomas Jefferson, U.S. President, author, scientist, architect, educator, and diplomat

END

False Quotes

In fairness to Thomas Jefferson, some of the modern quotes attributed to him are false.  The following quote is not found among the writings of Thomas Jefferson; therefore, it should be considered false... 

"Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man."

Even monticello.org confirms this:  http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php/Christianity_is_the_most_perverted_system_that_ever_shone_on_man

 

Here's another false quote:

 

"I have examined all the known superstitions of the world, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the earth."

If you look at Jefferson's notes on the State of Virginia, you will see that only some of this quote was truly penned by the hand of Jefferson.  Only the part that is underlined is true Jefferson.  The rest is false. 

 

Go here to see the section on Religion in the Notes on the State of Virginia (287): http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/etcbin/ot2www-singleauthor?specfile=/web/data/jefferson/texts/jefall.o2w&act=text&offset=8287826&textreg=1&query=burnt

 

Here's another popular quote, where only some of it is actually Jefferson.  Again, the underlined part is true Jefferson.  Even the true part is only paraphrase, not word for word. 

 

"Christianity...(has become) the most perverted system that ever shone on man. ...Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupes and importers led by Paul, the first great corrupter of the teaching of Jesus."

 

This link will take you to the actual letter where this is found.  The part you're interested in is found at the bottom of page 1 and into page 2, http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/P?mtj:2:./temp/~ammem_8FGO

 

This whole quote is false....

 

"The Christian god can easily be pictured as virtually the same god as the many ancient gods of past civilizations. The Christian god is a three headed monster; cruel, vengeful and capricious. If one wishes to know more of this raging, three headed beast-like god, one only needs to look at the caliber of people who say they serve him. They are always of two classes: fools and hypocrites."

None of this means that I believe Jefferson was a Christian.  He, of course, said he was a Christian; but did not believe in the Virgin birth, the Godhead, miracles, the resurrection, etc.  Thomas Jefferson was a Christ-rejecter. 

 

So I bring out these quotes because I, and I'm sure you, are interested in the truth even if the person in question doesn't happen to believe the way I do.

 

END

Hitler claimed to be a Christian; but was not.  George W. Bush claims to be a Christian; but is not.  Just because someone claims to be a "Christian" means nothing.  Jesus said that men would be known by their fruits... "Ye shall know them by their fruits..." (Matthew 7:16).  Thomas Jefferson denied the Godhead and called the Bible a dunghill, something no true Christian would ever do.  Though an educated and brilliant thinker; Jefferson was NOT a Christian! 

"As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." -Galatians 1:9

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth" -Philippians 2:10