posted July 15, 2006 06:54 PM              

Jefferson on Jesus, from a letter to Joseph Priestly -

"... a master workman, and his system of morality was the most benevolent and sublime probably that has been ever taught, and consequently more perfect than those of any of the ancient philosophers. His character and doctrines have received still greater injury from those who pretend to be his special disciples, and who have disfigured and sophisticated his actions and precepts, from views of personal interest so as to induce the unthinking part of mankind to throw off the whole system in disgust, and to pass sentance as an imposter on the most innocent, the most benevolent, and the most eloquent and sublime character that ever has been exhibited to man."

Jefferson, a Unitarian btw, compiled a little book called the Jefferson Bible. I have a copy. It's lovely.

posted July 16, 2006 01:41 AM              

I will argue politics but I WILL NOT argue religion with anyone. What works for me is not necessarily for everyone else. We all have our own personal journies through life. For that reason I see no reason to argue about religion.

This article that Rainbow posted was as she stated, about hypocrisy, not about Jesus or religion per se and we seem to have gotten off the topic.

The U.S. was not established as a Christian nation. It may have been that some of our founding fathers were Christians but as Fayte pointed out, Thomas Jefferson was not one of them. We can probably come up with more like him. The Constitution clearly states that there is to be "No state Church." That is to say that no one religion, no one Church, is to have any preference with the government. Our Constitution provided for the freedom of religion, with all peoples worshiping as they see fit or not worshiping at all if that is their choice. Those who founded this country came here to escape religious persecution and that is why they were so adamant about a separation of church and state. They saw first hand what happens when the two join up together. So, No, the U.S. is not a Christian nation. It was not designed to be one and it never was a Christian nation. We need to rid ourselves of that misrepresentation. The U.S. was not founded on Christianity or any other religion.

In answer to lioneyes question about the U.S. trying to separate religion from government, it always has been separated from government under the Constitution which states that no religion shall have any influence on government and that there shall be a separation of church and state. The Religious Right, with Jerry Falwell and Pat Robinson who are involved in government would like to see the separation of church and state end with them running a theocratic government. So it is the opposite of what you said, lioneyes.