I checked a trusted source. I was surprised to find that Unitarianism rejected the deity of Christ even 200 years ago. Therefore Unitarian could not be technically Christian and was basically similar to deism (why capitalize deism unless you want to capitalize agnosticism and atheism as well?). Even if Jefferson were some type of Christian, he certainly was not orthodox in his beliefs. But neither was he anti-Christian. If we need to bring in an example of an anti-Christian, use Thomas Paine. His anti-Christian sentiment cost him his powerful friends.
Paine discovered that his contributions to the American Revolution had been all but eradicated due to his religious views. Derided by the public and abandoned by his friends, he died in 1809 in New York City, a drunk and a pauper.
If Paine's anti-Christian views cost him his friends, doesn't that say something about the times and the respect for Christianity? Franklin gave Paine fair warning and advised him not to include his anti-Christian material in his book. Paine foolishly published it anyway.
Even if Jefferson were some type of Christian, he certainly was not orthodox in his beliefs Well, given his outright rejection of the Resurrection, the virgin birth, Jesus' miracles, etc, I would say that's the understatement of the day.
Even if Jefferson were some type of Christian, he certainly was not orthodox in his beliefs. But neither was he anti-Christian. I would agree, he was not anti-Christian in general. He did seem to have some difficulties with organized churches, though. Jefferson made some favorable comments about Jesus, but did not believe in His divinity.
If Paine's anti-Christian views cost him his friends, doesn't that say something about the times and the respect for Christianity? Franklin gave Paine fair warning and advised him not to include his anti-Christian material in his book. Paine foolishly published it anyway.
There indeed was great respect for and belief in Christianity.
I think Paine was warned by Jefferson as well as Franklin. It's been a while since I read The Age of Reason, but I seem to remember most of the book was about the Old Testament rather than the New.
And there's certainly no doubt his publication of the book made him a pariah.
I capitalize Deist as it is a recognized religion. Agnosticism isn't. Atheism might be, but seems pretty silly to me as it requires faith in a negative. How could you possibly prove there is no God ?