[gdani]

"The only foundation for useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion."
Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson probably isn't the best person to quote.

He made a decision to keep the theology school separate from the rest of the state-funded University of Virginia because he felt it would be an establishment of religion.

[.30Carbine]

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath? Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that His justice cannot sleep forever."
Thomas Jefferson

[.30Carbine]

"If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him....Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants."
William Penn

[fr_freak]

Jefferson probably isn't the best person to quote.

He made a decision to keep the theology school separate from the rest of the state-funded University of Virginia because he felt it would be an establishment of religion.

There is a big difference between having a theology school, which is an organization designed to teach and promote specific religious beliefs, in a state-run school and simply having Christian references incorporated into school teachings. While I can see Jefferson recognizing that a state-run theology school would be a de facto establishment of religion, I am certain he did not object, but in fact even encouraged, incorporations of Christianity in the school, little things such as starting the day with a prayer or having the Ten Commandments displayed on the wall.

[hocndoc]

From the Jefferson Memorial walls:
God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties ar the gift of God?

Whatever Jefferson may have believed about who should pay for education, he most certainly was in favor of remembering and honoring God in the public sphere, as the source of our rights.