Thomas Jefferson was a studious, intellectual man with a powerful mind. Throughout history, uncovering Jefferson’s exact religious beliefs have been a challenge. In the book, The Mind of Thomas Jefferson, by Peter S. Onuf, some of the mysteries as to when he truly believed are revealed. Within this book, Onuf quotes and shares his knowledge of the great Thomas Jefferson.
In the beginning of the book, Onuf describes Jefferson as very rational. Onuf says that according to Jefferson, “moral philosophers remain the best guides to the good life.” This shows us that he believes strongly in the importance of philosophy and reason, rather than a spiritual figure leading a godly path for his life. Onuf also tells us early in the book that Jefferson doesn’t believe that Jesus was “begotten by God, born a virgin, suspended and reversed the laws of nature at will, and ascended bodily into heaven”, but that Jesus was “a man of illegitimate birth, of a benevolent heart, enthusiastic mind” who got many people to follow and trust him. This evidence informs us that Thomas Jefferson didn’t believe in miracles, or anything that couldn’t be supported by science.
Later on in the book, Jefferson’s views of priests are acknowledged. In a letter to John Adams, Jefferson writes, “if we could live without an order of priests, we could then moralize for ourselves, follow the oracle of conscience, and say nothing about what no man can understand, nor therefore believe.” Jefferson strongly believed that priests were clouding the reasonable part of religion, causing America to believe anything they hear. He also vigorously thought that a person should hold the freedom to believe whatever they wish to believe, without the role of a priest preventing them to think for themselves. According to Jefferson, a priest’s job was to obscure religion, which turned him away.
Jefferson however, had a fairly positive view of Jesus. He said that Jesus was, “the benevolent and sublime reformer”, and that Jesus spoke of God being “good and perfect”. He believed that Jesus “preached peace and love.” Jefferson saw Jesus as a real and great person who came and left this earth. According to Onuf, Jefferson could never believe in the trinity, which states that Jesus lives as three persons. This evidence reflects Jefferson’s views of science that I mentioned earlier. If science can’t explain it, then it must not be real. He once said, “Ignorance is preferable to error and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong”. Onuf tells us that Jefferson would rather be caught believing in nothing than believing in something that is incorrect and unreasonable.
In this book, Onuf repeatedly emphasizes Jefferson’s belief that religion should kept private. In the famous Danbury Baptists letter, Jefferson states that, “religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God.” Jefferson tells Calvinist Ezra Stiles Ely, “I am of a sect by myself”. This reveals that Jefferson has his own personal, spiritual beliefs and he doesn’t want the people of this world to compromise to his beliefs because he is seen as an intelligent, respected man. He greatly feels that everyone should believe in what they want no matter what others say or do. People should have freedom to think for themselves and make decisions on their own without anyone telling them what is right and what is wrong. To Jefferson, freedom of conscience is key.
Still today, no one knows for sure what Jefferson’s exact religious believes were. But Jefferson doesn’t want the world to know. He wants everyone to explore religion for themselves and question God’s existence. That’s the beauty of freedom. Onuf does a great job of portraying some of Jefferson’s views, however his true beliefs remain a mystery.
Detailed and accurate! You have done a thorough job.
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