Examining the Jeffersonian Wall

Listed below are three of the most important statements made in the history of the world concerning religious freedom. All came largely from the pen of one man, Thomas Jefferson. First is the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom adopted in 1786, then is the First Amendment to the US constitution ratified in 1791, and finally the famous letter Jefferson wrote to the Danbury Baptist association in 1802. I will make a few comments after but far more important is that you please read and understand the actual writings of Jefferson.

I.                     Whereas Almighty God hath created the mind free; that all attempts to influence it by temporal punishment or burthens, or by civil incapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the Holy author of our religion, who being Lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was his Almighty power to do . .

II.                 II. Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.

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III.               III. And though we well know that this assembly elected by the people for the ordinary purposes of legislation only, have no power to restrain the act of succeeding assemblies, constituted with powers equal to our own, and that therefore to declare this act to be irrevocable would be of no effect in law; yet we are free to declare, and do declare, that the rights hereby asserted are of the natural rights of mankind, and that if any act shall be hereafter passed to repeal the present, or to narrow its operation, such as would be an infringement of natural right

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Mr. President

To messers Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, & Stephen S. Nelson, a committee of the Danbury Baptist association in the state of Connecticut.

Gentlemen

The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist association, give me the highest satisfaction. my duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, & in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.

Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church & State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves & your religious association assurances of my high respect & esteem.

(signed) Thomas Jefferson
Jan.1.1802.

It is no surprise that Jefferson was so intent on religious freedom. He was often critical of what he considered misrepresentations of Christ, and though he ardently professed himself a Christian he was at least sympathetic if not wholly endorsive of the views of the Unitarian Church and the teachings of Joseph Priestly. (A good article http://www25.uua.org/uuhs/duub/articles/thomasjefferson.html) he has become a hero to all who hold sacred the concept of religious freedom, I wish merely to make a few observations, as these texts will serve as a foundation as we look into religious freedoms and threats to the same in our current society.

First, no element of Jefferson’s words place limitations on the individual. Separation of church and state was always intended to hold the government bound and double ironed. There cannot be the official church of the United States or any governmental regulation over the teachings of such a church. Ministers and individuals seek God as their own hearts and conscience dictate and they have every write to bring those views to public life, to govern according to those principles and to persuade others as to the correctness of those beliefs.

Second, an acknowledgement of God does not constitute the establishment of religion. The very essence of America is that man has certain inalienable rights which are given not by the whim of the government, but by the will of God.  In the Danbury letter Jefferson refers to these as natural rights, that free thought was naturally programmed into the human brain and that no power of government has the power to change that.

Finally, religious conviction is not opposed to good citizenship it is a part of the same. Man’s duty to state is inseparable from his duty to God but should the state lay upon him burdens contrary to the will of God as he believes it to be, than the will of God takes precedent

Freedom neglected is freedom lost. Keep on the firing line.