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Letter
from Thomas Jefferson to Ezra Stiles, President of Yale,
of June 25, 1819.
This
letter is a rare example of Thomas Jefferson's introspection.
In his words to Ezra Stiles, he discusses his beliefs
regarding religion and God, and attempts to categorize
himself as best as possible among the religions that
were present in that day. His conclusion, after such
attempts, begins this correspondence. He states that
he is of a sect by himself as far as he knows. This
letter, like so many of Jefferson's writings, expresses
his interest in religion. Often, students of Jefferson's
writings merely focus on his emphasis for religious
freedom. However, this and other works indicate his
great interest in religion as well. Jefferson did not
like religious dissensions, and often criticized various
churches for their dogmatic attitude. It seems as though
Jefferson wanted people to return to the simple teachings
of Jesus Christ.
RJ&L
Religious Institutions Group
. . . I
am of a sect by myself, as far as I know. I am not a Jew,
and therefore do not adopt their theology, which supposes
the God of infinite justice to punish the sins of the fathers
upon their children, unto the third and fourth generation;
and the benevolent and sublime Reformer of that religion
has told us only that God is good and perfect, but has not
defined Him. I am, therefore, of His theology, believing
that we have neither words nor ideas adequate to that definition.
And if we could all, after this example, leave the subject
as undefinable, we should all be of one sect, doers of good,
and eschewers of evil. No doctrines of His lead to schism.
It is the speculations of crazy theologists which have made
a Babel of a religion the most moral and sublime ever preached
to man, and calculated to heal, and not to create differences.
Letter
from Thomas Jefferson to Ezra Stiles (June 25, 1819), in
15 Writings of Thomas Jefferson, at 203-4 (Monticello
ed.).
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