Lies were told about Jefferson and his religion. Most of these were regional, as we will see. They said things to the effect that if he becomes president of the US, you better hide your Bible. Let’s explore that from our book, “Doubting Thomas.” Author James Parton wrote about the …
In July 1873, author James Parton wrote a lengthy essay in Atlantic Magazine about the 1800 campaign.[1] Parton shows how religion was an important issue in the ugly 1800 election, pointing out that some of the ministers didn’t shy from speaking out on politics: “The orthodox clergy were not averse, …
In July 1873, author James Parton wrote a lengthy essay in Atlantic Magazine about the 1800 campaign.[1] It is interesting for it provides an analysis by a writer somewhat closer to those events than scholars today, and it attempted to correct some of the inaccurate portrayal of Jefferson in the …
Those who knew Jefferson personally thought that he was a Christian. Most of the critics of his faith or the lack thereof arose after his death. But there were contemporary accusations against Jefferson for supposedly not being a Christian. Many of these accusations, as mentioned in previous blogs, arose during …
Some in Virginia criticized Thomas Cooper (a vociferous Unitarian) being hired at the University of Virginia without questioning Jefferson’s personal faith, and as noted before, no clergyman in Virginia or anywhere south of New York ever criticized Jefferson’s faith in his entire lifetime. However, after Jefferson’s death some historical revisionism …
Although Jefferson clearly condemned church-state clergy in Europe and in the northeastern parts of the United States, he had a completely different view of clergy in Virginia for most of his last several decades. In late 1813 Jefferson wrote John Adams saying that here “. . . The law for …
Note: Jerry’s part in the program is about one hour into the show (halfway).
During the 1800 election, accusations were made against Jefferson’s faith—along the lines that he was a skeptic. He did not agree with what he was being accused and responded on occasion. Jefferson replied to New Hampshire politician and minister, Rev. William Plumer, on January 31, 1815, saying, “. . . …
Jefferson was unfairly criticized as being a skeptic in the withering election of 1800.So what were Jefferson’s relations with the clergy in America from that election to the end of his life? First it should be noted that Jefferson corresponded with and worked in alliance with just as many new …
Jefferson biographer Merrill Peterson comments on how Jefferson took this criticism. Jefferson was “personally hurt by the smear campaign” but thought it was reaction to his position of disestablishment which northerners had yet to embrace as Virginia had done. Note how Jefferson dealt with this unjustified criticism; he trusted that …