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"I
HAVE SWORN UPON THE ALTAR OF GOD . . ."
Jefferson
Letter to Dr. Benjamin Rush, 1800
Apparently,
as this letter indicates, a great many of the clergy
of the various religious sects had mistaken ideas pertaining
to the scope of the new government. Many, especially
the Episcopalians and Congregationalists, hoped that
they would be able to establish a particular form of
Christianity throughout the United States. At the time,
as Jefferson implies, these hopes may not have been
ill-founded. However, in expressing approval of the
Bill of Rights, Jefferson states that the "returning
good sense of our country" should destroy any hopes
of establishing a religion. Furthermore, President Jefferson
pledges his sworn opposition to any attempt to establish
a religion, as such would constitute "tyranny over the
mind of man."
RJ&L
Religious Institutions Group
Monticello,
Sep. 23, 1800
DEAR
SIR,--I have to acknolege (stet) the receipt of your favor
of Aug. 22, and to congratulate you on the healthiness of
your city.
*
* * *
I
promised you a letter on Christianity, which I have not
forgotten. On the contrary, it is because I have reflected
on it, that I find much more time necessary for it than
I can at present dispose of. I have a view of the subject
which ought to displease neither the rational Christian
nor Deists, and would reconcile many to a character they
have too hastily rejected. I do not know that it would reconcile
the genus irritabile vatum who are all in arms against
me. Their hostility is on too interesting ground to be softened.
The delusion into which the X. Y. Z. plot shewed it possible
to push the people; the successful experiment made under
the prevalence of that delusion on the clause of the constitution,
which, while it secured the freedom of the press, covered
also the freedom of religion, had given to the clergy a
very favorite hope of obtaining an establishment of a particular
form of Christianity thro' the U. S.; and as every sect
believes its own form the true one, every one perhaps hoped
for his own, but especially the Episcopalians & Congregationalists.
The returning good sense of our country threatens abortion
to their hopes, & they believe that any portion of power
confided to me, will be exerted in opposition to their schemes.
And they believe rightly; for I have sworn upon the altar
of god, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny
over the mind of man. But this is all they have to fear
from me:
*
* * *
Source:
Thomas Jefferson: writings 1080-82 (Merrill D. Peterson
ed., 1984).
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