23 JUL 2011 by ideonexus
The Principle of Religious Diversity
As to religion, I hold it to be the indispensable duty of all government, to protect all conscientious professors thereof, and I know of no other business which government hath to do therewith, Let a man throw aside that narrowness of soul, that selfishness of principle, which the niggards of all professions are so unwilling to part with, and he will be at delivered of his fears on that head. Suspicion is the companion of mean souls, and the bane of all good society. For myself, I fully and c... 1 
notes
notesPaine argues that a plurality of religious beliefs with strengthen the country.
24 JAN 2011 by ideonexus
Introduction to the Jefferson Bible
THE PHILOSOPHY OF JESUS OF NAZARETH
Extracted from the account of his life and doctrines as given by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Being an abridgment of the New Testament for the use of the Indians, unembarrassed with matters of fact or faith beyond the level of their comprehensions. [emphasis mine]Folksonomies: founding fathers separation of church and state
Folksonomies: founding fathers separation of church and state
1 
1 The first title of Jefferson's pairing down of the New Testament gospels states clearly the purpose of the text.
24 JAN 2011 by ideonexus
Jefferson's Intention with “The Philosophy of Jesus of ...
In extracting the pure principles which he taught, we should have to strip off the artificial vestments in which they have been muffled by priests, who have travestied them into various forms, as instruments of riches and power to themselves. We must dismiss the Platonists and Plotinists, the Stagyrites and Gamalielites, the Eclectics, the Gnostics and Scholastics, their essences and emanations, their logos and demiurges, aeons and daemons, male and female, with a long train of … or, shall ...Folksonomies: founding fathers separation of church and state
Folksonomies: founding fathers separation of church and state
A description of the problems Jefferson had with the gospels in their existing form, which were easily twisted for greedy purposes.
24 JAN 2011 by ideonexus
Clear Statement that the United States is Not Founded on ...
Art. 11. As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Mussulmen; and, as the said States never entered into any war, or act of hostility against any Mahometan nation, it is declared by the parties, that no pretext arising from religious opinions, shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries.Authored by American diplomat Joel Barlow in 1796, the following treaty was sent to the floor of the Senate, June 7, 1797, where it was read aloud in its entirety and unanimously approved. John Adams, having seen the treaty, signed it and proudly proclaimed it to the Nation.
