Top 100 Anti-Christian Quotations By Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson
Wikiquote
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson

Alan: I haven't time to fact check the following.

However, the compiler of this list takes time to spotlight several misattributions.

***

Thomas Jefferson

Life (1743-1826) Two-Term President (1801-1809)

Author of Declaration of Independence

Founder of University of Virginia

Governor of Virginia

Many term Congressman from Virginia

Author of Religious Freedom Amendment

Pre Revolutionary War, Pre- Us Constitutional StatementsFrom 1763-1787

17761] Jefferson’s Personal Rough Draft of Declaration of Independence [Jefferson was very much against the phrase ’endowed by their Creator certain inalienable rights‘, putting Deity ABOVE Government, and giving humanity rights that Government has neither power to abridge or take away. He believe they sprung from the EQUALITY of HUMANITY!]
"We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, . . ."
( Thomas Jefferson, in his "original Rough draught of the Declaration of Independence" before it was revised by the Committee of Five and Congress, 1776; from Julian P. Boyd, ed., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, 1760-1776, vol. I, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1950, p. 243. )

17762] Disbelieves & Abhors Christianity"I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment; but I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve and abhor." [Referring to Christianity]
( Thomas Jefferson, notes for a speech, c. 1776; from Gorton Carruth and Eugene Ehrlich, The H arper Book of American Quotations, eds., New York: Harper & Row, 1988, p. 498. )

17823] Millions burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned: uselessly! “Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity.( Thomas Jefferson, "Notes on the State of Virginia," 1782; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 286. )

17824] Jefferson RECECTS Christ’s Teaching of Repentance!"It is not to be understood that I am with him [Jesus Christ] in all his doctrines. I am a Materialist; . . . he preaches the efficacy of repentence toward forgiveness of sin;. . .” ( Thomas Jefferson, "Notes on the State of Virginia," 1782; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 286. )




17825] Christians: either Fools or Hypocrites! What has been the effect of coercion [World Evangelism by Christianity]? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites. ( Thomas Jefferson, "Notes on the State of Virginia," 1782; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 286. )

17826] Christianity: supports Rogue Dictators world wide! “To support roguery and error all over the earth."( Thomas Jefferson, "Notes on the State of Virginia," 1782; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 286. )[NOTE: This is claimed to be false by some authorities]

17827] Belief in Many gods is fine with Jefferson!But it does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty gods, or no God. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."( Thomas Jefferson, "Notes on the State of Virginia," 1782; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 285. )

17868] Christian Leadership fails in France"If anybody thinks that kings, nobles, or priests are good conservators of the public happiness send them here [to Paris]. It is the best school in the universe to cure them of that folly."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to George Wythe, August 13, 1786; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 859. )

17869] Proud to be the First atheist government, by reason alone“. . . it is honorable for us, to have produced the first legislature [In Virginia] who had the courage to declare, that the reason of man may be trusted with the formation of his own opinions…"( Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Madison, from Paris, December 16, 1786; from Lloyd S. Kramer, ed., Paine and Jefferson on Liberty, New York: Continuum, 1988, pp. 87-88. )

178610] Christianity: Imposed as a “False Religion”. [Jefferson believed ALL types & forms of evangelism was wrong, and was only perpetrated by cults and false religions; that TRUE RELIGION was certain to seek influence of no one, but rather allowed ALL people to FREELY make up their OWN MINDS, based on nothing but REASON ALONE, according to no standard EXCEPT PERSONALCONSCIENCE, as to matters of right & wrong!]
"Legislators and rulers, civil as well as ecclesiastical, who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others, setting up their own opinions and modes of thinking as the only true and infallible, and as such endeavoring to impose them on others, hath established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world and through all time: ??? ( Thomas Jefferson, "Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom," 1786; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 347. )

178611] None Compelled to attend Worship"No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, "Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom," 1786; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 347. )

178612] None shall be enforced for Religious purposes"No man shall be compelled . . . enforced, restrained, molested, or burdened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer, on account of his religious opinions or belief; . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, "Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom," 1786; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 347. )

178613] All are Free to believe or not to believe without Civil Consequence". . . all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities."( Thomas Jefferson, "Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom," 1786; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 347. )
178714] Jefferson says of God: “IF there be one!”" . . . [God] if there be one, . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to his nephew Peter Carr, August 10, 1787; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 902-904. )

178715] Jefferson says of God: “Question with Boldness!”"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to his nephew Peter Carr, August 10, 1787; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 902-904. )

178716] Jefferson declares that ’Facts’ are NOT believed because they are ‘actual’ , but rather because of the AUTHORITY extended & attributed to the writer!Read the Bible, then as you would read Livy or Tacitus. The facts which are within the ordinary course of nature, you will believe on the authority of the writer, as you do those of the same kind in Livy and Tacitus. ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to his nephew Peter Carr, August 10, 1787; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 902-904. )

178717] Jefferson insists all remember the ’Pretensions’ of Bible to ‘Inspiration from God’.“Here you must recur to the pretensions of the writer to inspiration from God”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to his nephew Peter Carr, August 10, 1787; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 902-904. )

178718] Warns of Bible “Pretensions”“You will next read the New Testament. It is the history of a personage called Jesus. Keep in your eye the . . . pretensions: 1] of those who say he was begotten by God, born of a virgin, suspended and reversed the laws of nature at will, and ascended bodily into heaven;”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to his nephew Peter Carr, August 10, 1787; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 902-904. )

178719] Jefferson rejects Divine Inspiration of the Holy Bible, declaring ‘Human Reason’ is the ONLY ORACLE heaven ever gave. [The Bible itself claims to be ‘the oracles of God, heaven’. Jefferson declares not so, and elevates ‘human reason to the exalted standard.]“Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, . . .”
[Then repeats this declaration]20] “I repeat, . . .Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven, . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, July 5, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 433. )

178721] Jefferson’s ‘Four [4] possible belief systems’ regarding God[s]. I] If it ends in a belief that there is no God, you will find incitements to virtue in the comfort and pleasantness you feel in its exercise, and the love of others which it will procure you.
II] If you find reason to believe there is a God, a consciousness that you are acting under his eye, and that he approves you, will be a vast additional incitement;
III] If you find reason to believe there . . . be a future state, the hope of a happy existence in that increases the appetite to deserve it;
IV] If you find reason to believe . . . that Jesus was also a God, you will be comforted by a belief of his aid and love.
( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, July 5, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 433. )



178822] Equates Demonism with Christianity"I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, . . .."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Richard Price, Jan. 8, 1789; [ Richard Price had written to Jefferson about the harm done by religion and wrote "Would not Society be better without Such religions? Is Atheism less pernicious than Demonism?" Oct. 26, 1788.] from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 935. )

178823] Equates Demonism with Christianity"I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshipped by many who think themselves Christians."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Richard Price, Jan. 8, 1789; [ Richard Price had written to Jefferson about the harm done by religion and wrote "Would not Society be better without Such religions? Is Atheism less pernicious than Demonism?" Oct. 26, 1788.] from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 935. )

178824] False Beliefs v. No Beliefs"It is always better to have no ideas than false ones; to believe nothing, than to believe what is wrong ."[Referring to Common Christianity]( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Rev. James Madison, July 19, 1788; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 924. )

178925] Against Denominations"If I could not go to heaven but with a party [Denomination], I would not go there at all."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis Hopkinson, March 13, 1789; from Adrienne Koch, The Philosophy of Thomas Jefferson, Gloucester, Mass: Peter Smith, 1957, p. 89. )


179926] Against Establishment of Christianity"I am for freedom of religion and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendancy of one sect over another."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Elbridge Gerry, January 26, 1799; from Gorton Carruth and Eugene Ehrlich, eds., Harper Book of American Quotations, New York: Harper & Row, 1988, p. 499. )

180027] Against Christian Evangelism“. . . as every sect believes its own form the true one, every one perhaps hoped for his own, but especially the Episcopalian & Congregationalist. . . . & they believe that any portion of power confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes [making converts until they have a dominant influence] . And they believe rightly; . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, September 23, 1800; from Thomas Jefferson: Writings, Merrill D. Peterson, ed., New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1081-1082. )

180028] Swears to stop TYRANNY of God, Church & Christianity: Would Jefferson use Military Force to stop Christian Churches if it appeared they were gaining a dominant position in the USA? “. . .for I have sworn upon the altar of god, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man [God, through Church & Christianity]; . . ."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, September 23, 1800; from Thomas Jefferson: Writings, Merrill D. Peterson, ed., New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1081-1082. )
180029] It appears Jefferson would use Military Force to stop Christian dominating influence, as he says he swearing that which should cause them to FEAR! However, he then attempts to offer some comfort, by promising not to hurt Christian Churches if they give up their Evangelism Goal of being the dominant sect [denomination] in the USA. “But this is all they have to fear from me;” [not being against their existence, but being against their being a dominant influence]"( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, September 23, 1800; from Thomas Jefferson: Writings, Merrill D. Peters

180030] Thomas Jefferson on George Washington: A Journal entry.". . .when the clergy addressed General Washington, on his departure from the government, it was observed in their consultation that he had never, on any occasion, said a word to the public which showed a belief in the Christian religion, and they thought they should so pen their address as to force him at length to disclose publicly whether he was a Christian or not. However, he observed, the old fox was too cunning for them. He answered every article of their address particularly, except that, which he passed over without notice."( Thomas Jefferson, journal entry February 1, 1800, published in The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. I, p. 284; from Franklin Steiner, The Religious Beliefs of Our Presidents, New York: Prometheus Books, 1995, p. 39. )on, ed., New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1081-1082. )



Jefferson Presidential StatementsFrom 1801-1809

180231] Wall of separation between Church - State". . .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 the Danbury Baptist Association, January 1, 1802; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 510. )

180532] Religion: State Issue, not Federal"In matters of religion, I have considered that its free exercise is placed by the Constitution independent of the powers of the general government. I have therefore undertaken on no occasion to prescribe the religious exercises suited to it; but have left them as the Constitution found them, under the direction and discipline of State or Church authorities acknowledged by the several religious societies."( Thomas Jefferson in his Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1805; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 519-520. )

180833] Personal Reason alone not God - dictates what is Right! "Everyone must act according to the dictates of his own reason, and mine tells me that civil powers alone have been given to the President of the United States, and no authority to direct the religious exercises of his constituents."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to the Rev. Samuel Miller, January 23, 1808; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 1187. )

Jefferson Post-Presidential StatementsFrom 1810-1827

181334] Choose our own Morals - Follow Conscience"We should all then, . . . moralise for ourselves, follow the oracle of conscience, , , ” Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, August 22, 1813; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 368. )

181335] We should not believe, what we can’t Understand"We should all then, . . . and say nothing about what no man can understand, nor therefore believe; for I suppose belief to be the assent of the mind to an intelligible proposition."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, August 22, 1813; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 368. )

181336] Christianity marks the lowest grade of ignorance!"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, letter to Alexander von Humboldt, December 6, 1813; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 370. )

181337] Religious Leaders Always avail themselves their own Purpose!“. . .religious leaders will always avail themselves for their own purpose."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Alexander von Humboldt, December 6, 1813; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 370. )

181438] Declares all books are legal: atheist, anti-god, etc."I am really mortified to be told that, in the United States of America, a fact like this can become a subject to inquiry, and of criminal inquiry, too, as an offence against religion; that a question about the sale of a book can be carried before the civil magistrate. Is this then our freedom of religion?"( Thomas Jefferson, letter to N. G. Dufief, April 19, 1814; from Gorton Carruth and Eugene Ehrlich, eds., Harper Book of American Quotations, New York: Harper & Row, 1988, p. 492. )

181439] Saxons, English, NEVER adopted Christianity as ‘Common Law’!If, therefore, from the settlement of the Saxons to the introduction of Christianity among them, that system of religion could not be a part of the common law, because they were not yet Christians, and . . .we are all able to find among them no such act of adoption, ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1324-1325. )

181440] Christianity is NOT part of American Common Law, and was NEVER a part of England’s ‘Common Law’!“. . .we may safely affirm . . . that Christianity neither is, nor ever was a part of the common law."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Dr. Thomas Cooper, February 10, 1814; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1324-1325. )

181441] Religious Leaders are always hostile to Liberty "In every country and every age, the priest (Religious Leader) has been hostile to liberty. “( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Horatio Spafford in 1814; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 371. )

42] Religious Leaders ally with Dictators!"He [The Religious Leader] is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. “( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Horatio Spafford in 1814; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 371. )

181443] Why Religious Leaders side with Dictators: Wealth!He [the minister] is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. It is easier to acquire wealth and power by this combination than by deserving them, . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Horatio Spafford in 1814; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 371. )

181444] Ministers Pervert Truth for Gain!It is easier to acquire wealth and power by this combination [in alliance with & abetting dictators] than by deserving them [wealth & power], and to effect this, they have perverted . . . [and] preached to man into mystery and jargon, unintelligible to all mankind, and therefore the safer for their purposes."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Horatio Spafford in 1814; from George Seldes, ed., The Great Quotations, Secaucus, New Jersey: Citadel Press, 1983, p. 371. )

181445] Christianity: An Artificial System of Religion "The Christian priesthood [Religious Leaders], finding the doctrines of Christ leveled to every understanding and too plain to need explanation, saw, in the mysticisms of Plato, materials with which they might build up an artificial system ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, July 5, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 433. )

181446] Christianity: Its “Indistinctiveness” causes “everlasting controversy” “. . . [Teachings of Christ mixed with Plato becoming incomprehensible] which might, from its indistinctness, admit everlasting controversy, give employment for their order, and introduce it to profit, power and preeminence. ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, July 5, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 433. )

181447] Accuses Religious Leaders adding mysticism to Christ’s teaching to cause “everlasting controversy”: for reason of insuring their employment!“. . .the mysticisms of Plato, materials with which they might build up an artificial system which might, from its indistinctness, admit everlasting controversy, give employment for their order, and introduce it to profit, power and preeminence.”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, July 5, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 433. )

181448] Modern Christianity: NONSENSE, that cannot be explained! [ThusThousands of volumes of books have not been able to explain it because, it CANNOT be explained!“. . .but thousands of volumes have not yet explained . . .[modern Christianity] and for this obvious reason that nonsense can never be explained."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, July 5, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 433. )

181449] Modern Christianity hopelessly corrupted from primitive simplicity!". . .the doctrines of Christ leveled to every understanding and too plain to need explanation, . . . The doctrines which flowed from the lips of Jesus himself are within the comprehension of a child; but thousands of volumes have not yet explained . . . [Modern Christianity corrupted by his followers]."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, July 5, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 433. )

181450] Declares Scripture the ‘Fabric of VERY inferior minds!’“In the New testament there is internal evidence that parts of it . . . are of the fabric of very inferior minds.”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181451] Jefferson on 10 Commandments & Bible: "Nor did the question ever occur to me before Where did we get the ten commandments? The book [Bible] indeed gives them to us verbatim. But where did it get them? . . . But the whole history of these books is so defective and doubtful that it seems vain to attempt minute enquiry into it: ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181452] Accuses God of ‘Self-Contradiction’!"Where did we get the ten commandments? The book [Bible] indeed gives them to us verbatim. . . . [However!] For itself tells us they were written by the finger of god on tables of stone, which were destroyed by Moses: it specifies those on the 2d. [second] set of tables in different form and substance, . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181453] Jefferson on parts of the Bible: “Dunghills!” [Jefferson’s definition of the inferior parts of the Bible] It is as easy to separate those parts, as to pick out diamonds from dunghills."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181454] Jefferson accuses ‘Tricks’ have been played with Bible Text: “. . . such tricks have been played with their text [Bible Text - original languages], ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181455] Jefferson Doubts Truth of Bible Text: “. . . , that we have a right, from that cause, to entertain much doubt what parts are genuine [of the Holy Bible]. ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181456] Jefferson says Bible Defective & Doubtful But the whole history of these books [of the Bible] is so defective and doubtful . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181457] Declares study of Bible seems ‘VAIN because of its defective state of error’“. . . [because the Bible is so inferior & defective, with even God contradicting himself in the 10 Commandments; some scripture simply the imaginations of men, some copied from heathen mystery systems, some written by ‘stupid disciples‘, some by ’very inferior minds’; with the whole of Christianity becoming unintelligible, incomprehensible, artificial, indistinct, cannot be explained, manipulated on purpose for human gain - ‘NONSENSE he called it, & “DUNGHILLS” - thus declaring:]
“. . . it seems vain to attempt minute enquiry into it . . .” ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181458] Jefferson’s respect for God is so low he does not capitalize ‘god’!"Nor did the question ever occur to me before Where did we get the ten commandments? . . . . For itself tells us they were written by the finger of god on tables of stone, . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, January 24, 1814; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 421. )

181559] Jefferson Rarely Speaks of religionI not only write nothing on religion, but I rarely permit myself to speak of it, and never but in a reasonable society.(Thomas Jefferson, n a Letter to Charles Clas - 1815

181660] Trinity is indistinct “Abracababra”Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus."
(Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 30 July, 1816)

181661] Christianity: Based on that which “Jesus never said”!“ . . . Christians and preachers of the gospel, while they draw all their characteristic dogmas from what its author [Jesus] never said . . .” “( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Charles Thomson, January 9, 1816; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1372-1373. )


181662] Christianity: Built upon “Heathen Mysteries”!“They have compounded from the heathen mysteries a system . . .” ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Charles Thomson, January 9, 1816; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1372-1373. )

181663] Christianity: “A heathen religious system, incomprehensible!”“. . . beyond the comprehension of man, . . .” [Christianity, nothing more than unintelligent heathen mysteries a system] ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Charles Thomson, January 9, 1816; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1372-1373. )

181664] Christianity: “Jesus today would recognize no part of His Church!”“The great reformer [Jesus] . . . , were he to return on earth, would not recognize one feature [of modern Christianity]."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Charles Thomson, January 9, 1816; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1372-1373. )

181665] Jefferson’s Bible: “A WEE-LITTLE BOOK!”"I, too, have made a wee-little book from the same materials [portions he cut out of the Bible], which I call the Philosophy of Jesus; . . . , made by cutting the texts out of the book, and arranging them on the pages of a blank book, . . .“ ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Charles Thomson, January 9, 1816; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1372-1373. )

181666] Jefferson’s love of his “A WEE-LITTLE BOOK” of ethics:A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen [Jefferson cut out nearly all references to miracles, and anything that appeared to be mystical. He did leave in some cases of ‘physical healing‘ not considering these ‘supernatural miracles‘. Far from supporting the deity of Jesus, he ‘CUT OUT the Resurrection of Jesus‘, which is the foundation of most Christianity.]; . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Charles Thomson, January 9, 1816; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1372-1373. )

181667] Jefferson’s claim that he alone is Christian"I, too, have made a wee-little book . . . it is a document in proof that I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus [but of His ‘Ethics Only’: Jefferson having cut out all references to miracles, heaven, hell, eternal life, future rewards or punishment, and anything that appeared to be mystical] , very different from the Platonists, who call me infidel and themselves Christians . . .”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to Charles Thomson, January 9, 1816; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, pp. 1372-1373. )



181768] Intellectual Disgust for Denominations DisagreeingIf, by religion, we are to understand Sectarian dogmas, in which no two of them agree, ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, May, 5, 1817; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 512. )
181769] On US Constitution debasing the Roman Catholic Church"I join you therefore in sincere congratulations that this den of the priesthood [from den-of-thieves] is at length broken up,”

181770] On US Constitution debasing the Protestant Church "I join you therefore in sincere congratulations . . . that a protestant pope dome [pope-like superiority] is no longer to disgrace the American history and character. ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, May, 5, 1817; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 512. )

181771] If there is a “HELL”, then it is protestant denominationalism of the USA“. . .we are to understand Sectarian dogmas, in which no two of them agree, . . .'something not fit to be named, even indeed a Hell.'"( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, May, 5, 1817; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 512. )

181772] Desires World without Religion the Best Possible World!“. . . then your exclamation on that hypothesis is just, 'that this would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.”( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, May, 5, 1817; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 512. )

181773] Deism taught us by Jesus if the sublime doctrines of philanthropism, and deism taught us by Jesus of Nazareth in which all agree, constitute true religion, ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, May, 5, 1817; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 512. )

181774] Claims Catholicism & Protestantism both were a DISGRACE to American History & character!"I join you therefore in sincere congratulations that this den of the priesthood is at length broken up, and that a protestant popedome is no longer to disgrace the American history and character.” ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, May, 5, 1817; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 512. )

1820,75] Equates ‘God as spirit‘ with ‘atheism‘"To talk of immaterial existences is to talk of nothings. To say that . . . angels, [&] god, are immaterial, is to say they are nothings, . . . [it is the same as admitting] there is no god, [&] no angels, . . . “( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, August 15, 1820; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 568. )
1820,76] The Stupidity of some Disciples of Jesus I separate, therefore, the gold from the dross, restore to him the former, and leave the latter to the stupidity of some and the roguery of others of his disciples."(Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Short, April 13, 1820, Works, Vol. 4, p. 320.)

182077] Ignorance better than Confused Christianity "When I meet with a proposition [Salvation by Christianity] beyond finite comprehension, I abandon it . . . in these cases, ignorance is truly the softest pillow on which I can lay my head."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, March 14, 1820; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 562. )

182078] Admits He is a ‘Materialism Disciple’ of Locke“ . . .I believe I am supported in my creed of materialism by Locke, Tracy, and Stewart.” ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, August 15, 1820; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 568. )182079] Against Christianity!"The truth is that the greatest enemies to the doctrines of Jesus are those calling themselves the expositors of them, who have perverted them for the structure of a system of fancy absolutely incomprehensible, and without any foundation in his genuine words.

182080] Jesus, an Imposter?"For if we could believe that he [Jesus] really countenanced the follies, the falsehoods and the charlatanisms which his biographers father on him, and admit the misconstructions, interpolations and theorizations of the fathers of the early, and fanatics of the latter ages, the conclusion would be irresistible by every sound mind, that he was an impostor."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Short, August 4, 1820; from Merrill D. Peterson, ed., Thomas Jefferson: Writings, New York: Library of America, 1984, p. 1435.


182081] Heresy of human soul, angels, etc."To talk of immaterial existences is to talk of nothings. To say that the human soul, angels, god, are immaterial, is to say they are nothings, : . . . At what age of the Christian church this heresy of immaterialism, this masked atheism, crept in, I do not know. But heresy it certainly is."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, August 15, 1820; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 568. )


182082] “Imagination: used to write Christ’s Gospels!Among the sayings and discourses imputed to him [Jesus] by his biographers [Matthew, Mark, Luke & John] , I find many passages of fine imagination, correct morality, and of the most lovely benevolence;( Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Short, April 13, 1820, Works, Vol. 4., p. 320. )

182083] Jefferson on the Bible: “. . . so much ignorance, of so much absurdity, so much untruth and imposture, as to pronounce it impossible that such contradictions should have proceeded from the same being [Jesus]. ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Short, April 13, 1820, Works, Vol. 4., p. 320. )

182084] Jefferson on stupidity of some ScripturesI separate, therefore, the gold from the dross, restore to him the former, and leave the latter to the stupidity of some and the roguery of others of his disciples."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Short, April 13, 1820, Works, Vol. 4., p. 320. )


182285] Mocks Trinity: One Body with 3 Heads"The hocus pocus phantasm of a God, like another Cerberus, with one body and three heads, had its birth and growth in the blood of thousands and thousands of martyrs."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to James Smith, December 8, 1822; from Franklin Steiner, The Religious Beliefs of Our Presidents: From Washington to F.D.R., New York: Prometheus Books, 1995, p. 104. )

182386] Myths: Virgin Birth & Jesus Son of GodThe day will come when the mystical generation [birth] of Jesus, by the Supreme Being as his father in the womb of a Virgin Mary, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva [birth] in the brain of Jupiter."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Adams, April 11, 1823; from The Adams-Jefferson Letters: The Complete Correspondence, Chapel Hill and London: University of North Carolina Press, 1987, p. 594. )

182387] Calls New Testament Rogueries, absurdities and untruths !’"Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus . . .."(Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, dated: April 11, 1823)

182388] Calls New Testament writers a ‘Band of Dupes!’"Rogueries, absurdities and untruths were perpetrated upon the teachings of Jesus by a large band of dupe. . .."(Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, dated: April 11, 1823)

182389] Apostle Paul: First Great Corrupter"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."(Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, dated: April 11, 1823)

182390] Clergy: Manipulate Truth to Get Wealth!"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.(Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, dated: April 11, 1823)


182391] Clergy: The “TRUE ANTICHRIST!”.these clergy, in fact, constitute the real Anti-Christ."(Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, dated: April 11, 1823)

182392] Fable of the “VIRGIN BIRTH”"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." (Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Adams, dated: April 11, 1823)

182593] Holy Scripture: Ravings of A Maniac!"It is between fifty and sixty years since I read it [Revelation], and I then considered it merely the ravings of a maniac, ( Thomas Jefferson, letter to General Alexander Smyth, January 17, 1825; from Fawn M. Brodie, Thomas Jefferson, An Intimate History, New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1974, p. 453. )

182594] Revelation: No more Coherent than Nightly Dreams[The book of the Revelation is] no more worthy nor capable of explanation than the incoherences of our own nightly dreams."( Thomas Jefferson, letter to General Alexander Smyth, January 17, 1825; from Fawn M. Brodie, Thomas Jefferson, An Intimate History, New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1974, p. 453. )

182595] Unitarian "I trust that there is not a young man now living in the United States who will not die a Unitarian." Thomas Jefferson, an Intimate History by Fawn M. Brodie, p. 453 (1974, W.W) Norton and Co. Inc. New York, NY) Quoting a letter by TJ to Alexander Smyth Jan 17, 1825,


96] Only Protection for Religious Liberty is “Public Opinion’!"The only ultimate protection for religious liberty in a country like ours, Madison pointed out—echoing Jefferson;—is public opinion: ( Edwin S. Gaustad, Faith of Our Fathers: Religion and the New Nation, San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1987, p. 56. )

97] Separation Church & State‘Every new & successful example therefore of a perfect separation

98] False Quote!"Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man." FALSE
"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
Even monticello.org confirms this: http://wiki.monticello.org/mediawiki/index.php/Christianity_is_the_most_perverted_system_that_ever_shone_on_man

99] False Quote!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."

This whole quote is false.... 100] Christianity] False Quote!"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."

This whole quote is false.... 100] Christianity] False Quote!"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."