[sueuprising]

Martha Washington detested Jefferson on the basis of his heretical opinions. Of course, so did the Adamses. They connected Jefferson’s atheism with that of the French. During the latter part of the 18th century when war with France was looming, the American public believed that the French would forced secularism and atheism down their throats. War was avoided, but what is interesting is despite Jefferson’s reputation in the inner circle as a man with no religion and an enemey to Christianity, he won the 1800 election. I suppose the voting public considered him a friend of the common man more than they did Adams, and winced over his unorthodox beliefs or simply had not heard of them. Jefferson had better PR I think.

[WackySam]

They connected Jefferson’s atheism with that of the French

Jefferson was not an atheist.

[DJ MacWoW]

Jefferson was no atheist.

On July 4, 1776, Congress appointed Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams "to bring in a device for a seal for the United States of America." Franklin's proposal adapted the biblical story of the parting of the Red Sea . Jefferson first recommended the "Children of Israel in the Wilderness, led by a Cloud by Day, and a Pillar of Fire by night. . . ." He then embraced Franklin's proposal and rewrote it. Jefferson's revision of Franklin's proposal was presented by the committee to Congress on August 20. Although not accepted these drafts reveal the religious temper of the Revolutionary period. Franklin and Jefferson were among the most theologically liberal of the Founders, yet they used biblical imagery for this important task.