Who was
Thomas Jefferson?
and what did he believe about God?
Thomas Jefferson
We all know that Thomas Jefferson wrote the
Declaration of Independence, was the third President of the United
States, started the University of Virginia and donated his library to
establish the Library of Congress. He also wrote the words "A Wall of
Separation between Church and State." Because of this last quote many
people have come to think that Jefferson was an anti-Christian
agnostic, or advocated that religion be barred from the government.
But what did Jefferson really believe about the Christian faith and its
relation to our government? Dr. D. James Kennedy makes some interesting
observations about the life of Thomas Jefferson, in his new book "What
if America were a Christian Nation Again?"
- Thomas Jefferson was raised in an
Anglican family.
- He went to a Christian school and was
taught by Christian pastors.
- Jefferson attended church regularly
his
whole life.
- As an adult he served on the Vestry of
the Anglican church.
- He attended the Presbyterian,
Methodist, and Baptist churches.
- Jefferson regularly tithed to the
church.
- While Washington & Adams ended
their Presidential Papers
with "In the Year of our Lord", Jefferson ended his Presidential Papers
with "In the year of our Lord Christ 18__".
- As President he attended the largest
church in the nation which held their services in the House Chambers of
the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
- Jefferson was not pleased with the
music, so he ordered the Marine Band to come to church on Sundays.
Mark A. Beliles has assembled an impressive list of some of
Jefferson's actions as president.
- Promoted legislative and military
chaplains.
- Established a national seal using a
biblical symbol.
- Included the word "God" in our
national
motto.
- Established official days of fasting
and prayer at the state level.
- Punished Sabbath breakers.
- Punished marriages contrary to
biblical
law.
- Punished irreverent soldiers.
- Protected the property of churches.
- Required that oaths be phrased by the
words "So help me God" and be sworn on the Bible.
- Granted land to Christian schools.
- Allowed government property and
facilities to be used for worship.
- Used the Bible and nondenominational
religious instruction in the public schools. He was involved in three
different school districts, and the plan in each required
that the Bible be taught in our public schools.
- Allowed and encouraged clergymen to
hold public office.
- Funded religious books for public
libraries.
- Funded salaries for missionaries.
- Exempted churches from taxation.
- Established professional schools of
theology.
- Wrote treaties requiring other nations
to guarantee religious freedom, including religious speeches and prayer
in official ceremonies.
You will notice that in many cases
Federal Treasury money was used to support churches.
Engraved on the walls of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C.
are the words of our third President: "God
who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be
secure
when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of
God?"
Jefferson wrote this warning on September 6, 1819: "The Constitution . . . is a mere thing of wax in the
hands of the judiciary, which they may twist and shape into any form
they please."
It is very evident from the record that
Thomas Jefferson believed in God and felt that religion should play an
important role in the government, and that government could and should
support churches. Would Jefferson who added the word "God" to
the National Motto, agree with the 9th Circuit Court, who stated that
the word "God" in the Pledge of Alegance is Unconstitutional? The
War that the Supreme Court has
launched on people of faith, Jefferson would be totally against.
[Introduction]
[Separation of Church and State]
Last Update May 2007