Regarding Jeffersons "Bible" The scholars at the Univ of Virginia have this to say;
"The so-called Jefferson Bible, more accurately "The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth," is now the property of the United States National Museum at Washington, having been obtained by purchase in 1895.""His original idea was to have the life and teachings of the Saviour, told in similar excerpts, prepared for the Indians, thinking this simple form would suit them best."
"it is interesting to note the title of the first compilation, which reads as follows:"THE PHILOSOPHY OF JESUS OF NAZARETH," Extracted from the account of his life and doctrines as given by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Being an abridgment of the New Testament for the use of the Indians, unembarrassed with matters of fact or faith beyond the level of their comprehensions."
Source: Univ of Virginia
The following are quotes from a history book called "America's God and Country" by W. Federer, 1994.Jefferson Quotes:"While in Philedelphia, Thomas Jefferson attended Christ Church."
"In Virginia Jefferson attended Bruton Parish Church (Episcopalian) in Williamsburg."
"His own bible a well worn, four-volume set, held preeminence in his personal library."
"In establishing the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson not only encouraged the teaching of religion, but set aside a place inside the rotunda for chapel services"
"My views...are the result of a life of inquiry and reflection, and very different from the anti-christian system imputed to me by those who know nothing of my opinions. To the corruptions of Christianity I am, indeed, opposed; but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus Himself. I am Christian in the only sense He wished anyone to be; sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others..."
-- Thomas Jefferson, April 21 1803 to Benjamin Rush
"A more beautiful or precious morsel of ethics I have never seen; it is a document in proof that I am real Christian; that is to say a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus."
-- Thomas Jefferson, Jan 9, 1816 letter to Charles Thomson.
"I hold the precepts of Jesus as delivered by Himself, to be the most pure, benevolent and sublime which have ever been preached to men..."
-- Thomas Jefferson, Nov 4, 1820 letter to Jared Sparks
"Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus." -- Thomas Jefferson, Writings, Vol XIII pg 377
"Had the doctrines of Jesus always been preached always as pure as they came from His lips the whole civilized world would now have been Christians."
-- Thomas Jefferson. Tyron Edwards New Dictionary of Thoughts- A Cyclopaedia of Quotations (1852) p.91
"I have always said, I always will say, that the studious perusal of the sacred volume will make better citizens, better fathers, and better husbands."
-- Thomas Jefferson. Tyron Edwards New Dictionary of Thoughts- A Cyclopaedia of Quotations (1852) p.46
- The doctrines of Jesus are simple and tend to the happiness of man.
- There is only One God and He is all perfect.
- There is a future state of rewards and punishment.
- 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
"I am for freedom of Religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another..."
-- Thomas Jefferson, Catalog of the Library of T.J. Voll II Catherine Millard
"The Christian Religion, when divested of the rags in which they [the clergy] have enveloped it, and brought to the original purity and simplicity to its benevolent institutor, is a religion of all others most friendly to liberty, science, and the freest expansion of the human mind."
-- Thomas Jefferson, Mar 23rd, 1801 letter to Moses Robinson
I think you have to be careful with this. My understanding is that he was required by law to attend. (which does not mean that he would not have attended by choice, but just that he had no choice)
ML/NJ