Category Archives: Jerry’s Blog
One of Jefferson’s Earliest Criticisms of Clergy
Jefferson Comes to Washington, DC in 1800—A Practicing Christian by Outward Appearances
On November 27, 1800, Jefferson moved to Washington, D. C. where the new Capitol opened. In Margaret Bayard Smith’s First Forty Years of Washington Society, she wrote: “…During the first winter, Mr. Jefferson regularly attended service on the sabbath-day in the humble church. …The custom of preaching in the Hall …
Those Who Knew Jefferson Personally Defended Him and His Professed Christianity (at this stage of his life)
Those who knew Jefferson personally tended to believe that he was a professing Christian. That does not preclude the fact that in the 1810’s and beyond (after he was president), he entertained privately some serious doubts about core Christian doctrines. Suffice it to say: it is not tenable to say …
“Doubting Thomas” Co-Author Mark Beliles Co-creates “Healing 4 Charlottesville”
Politics Can Be a Dirty Business
Politics can be a dirty business. Just ask Thomas Jefferson. Some of the negative things being said about Jefferson, questioning whether he was a Christian, first came out as political statements against the Virginia politician when he was running for president in 1800. This helped create a misleading image of …
Politics and Muckraking in 1800—Accusing Jefferson of Being an Infidel
During the election of 1800, there was a great deal of acrimony. Some of the charges against Thomas Jefferson, alleging that he wasn’t a Christian were hurled at him at that time—because of political reasons. We address this in our book, Doubting Thomas. It’s hard to imagine muckraking by politicians …
Politics Seemed to Sour Worsening Relations Between Jefferson and Some Clergy
Beginning of Some Criticisms Between Jefferson and Some Clergy
Jefferson Referenced Jesus as “Saviour”
On February 5, 1798, Jefferson wrote some Notes on Newspaper Articles, which spoke of Jesus as “Saviour.” This term describes a redemptive mission. Jefferson also used this term or “Christ” in other letters; but in this 1798 case, like his earlier commonplace notes and other “Notes on Religion” (see DOUBTING THOMAS, pp. 10, …