[LauraleeBraswell]

Jefferson was actually a gnostic Christian- he viewed Jesus as a philosopher. You might call his a Deist, though. And Franklin was a Christian.

[Mark Felton]

"Jefferson was actually a gnostic Christian- he viewed Jesus as a philosopher. You might call his a Deist, though. No. This made Jefferson a Christian Unitarian, the type of Christian that existed before Catholicism was founded, and before the Council of Nicea defined the trnity as a foundation of Catholicism in AD 325 (or so). Jefferson was collaborating with other Unitarians as well and sought the day when all of the USA became Christian. Deists do not believe in a God that intervenes in everyday lives. Jefferson prayed hundreds of prayers asking for God to intervene in various matters. Jefferson was definitely NOT a diest. he proclaimed himself to be a Christian.

I am real Christian; that is to say a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."
                             -- Thomas Jefferson, Jan 9, 1816 letter to Charles Thomson. 

1. The doctrines of Jesus are simple and tend to the happiness of man.
2. There is only One God and He is all perfect.
3. There is a future state of rewards and punishment.
4. To love God with all the heart and thy neighbor as thyself is the sum of all.
   

" These are the great points on which to reform the religion of Jews."

-- Thomas Jefferson, Life of Jefferson, by Stephen Abbot Northropp pp252-253

"No one sees with greater pleasure than myself  the progress of reason and its advance towards rational Christianity, and my opinion is that if nothing had ever been added to what flowed from His lips, the whole world would at this day been Christian.... Had there never been a commentor there never would have been an infidel.  I have little doubt that the whole country will soon be rallied to the unity of our Creator, and, I hope, to the pure doctrines of Jesus also." 
                            -- Thomas Jefferson,  Library of American Literature, Vol III pp 283-284 Stephen Abbot Northrop

[UB355]

bookmark

[jla]

fyi

Oh, nice tagline you have there. ;^)

Keep on studying, and asking questions, LLB. I've a feeling you'll go far.