Visionary Jefferson’s view on the separation of religion & state
Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, argued a school of thought in 1800 that by even today’s standard would be seen as fairly radical. He expressed a belief in the importance of the separation of religion and government. In a letter to the Danbury Baptists his most famous line was written, “thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” Jefferson’s election was a revolution.
Jefferson was clear that government should have no influence on personal religion and that religion should play no part in government. It is hard to know whether Jefferson’s views was due to his own unorthodox thoughts on religion as many historians have stated they believe he was a deist. He never declared himself as a deist but one thing is evident, he was a very logical thinker. He was very critical towards religion as he felt it could lead to tyrants as our leaders. A letter to his nephew was found highlighting this, “Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.” That said he was supportive of the general morality provided in religion.
Secretary of state, James Madison was supportive of Jefferson’s beliefs which can be seen by some of his powerful statements. He wrote of “total separation of the…
