Comments on: Jefferson’s Bible http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/ A computer programmer's commentary on news, Linux, programming, music, web design, trivia, humor, usability and whatever else strikes his fancy at the time. Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:44:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: dan http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-75959 dan Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:07:00 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-75959 Mark: I wrote, "Until I see a quote from Jefferson stating that he didn’t believe in the subjects he chose to exclude from his Bible, we can’t jump to the conclusion that he didn’t believe in them." I fail to see how that translates into doing poor research and thinking "the paragraph or two [we] read about him in an elementary school history textbook was the whole story." My skepticism remains. I failed to find a quote from Jefferson that says he didn't believe in the divinity of Jesus, miracles or any other supernatural event in the Bible. Your link just says that he excluded those types of events from his Bible. Mark: I wrote, “Until I see a quote from Jefferson stating that he didn’t believe in the subjects he chose to exclude from his Bible, we can’t jump to the conclusion that he didn’t believe in them.” I fail to see how that translates into doing poor research and thinking “the paragraph or two [we] read about him in an elementary school history textbook was the whole story.”

My skepticism remains. I failed to find a quote from Jefferson that says he didn’t believe in the divinity of Jesus, miracles or any other supernatural event in the Bible. Your link just says that he excluded those types of events from his Bible.

]]> By: Mark A. Craig http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-75934 Mark A. Craig Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:14:51 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-75934 Addendum: Try this page on for size as a good summary, which includes relevant snippets of his private writings: http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Sacred_Scripture/Sacred_Scripture_012.htm That, too, ought to end your skepticism. Addendum: Try this page on for size as a good summary, which includes relevant snippets of his private writings:

http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Sacred_Scripture/Sacred_Scripture_012.htm

That, too, ought to end your skepticism.

]]> By: Mark A. Craig http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-75933 Mark A. Craig Mon, 26 Mar 2007 10:02:30 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-75933 Kris and Dan, you fellows certainly do poor research. Go here: http://www.angelfire.com/co/JeffersonBible/ and look for the several accompanying personal letters which Jefferson wrote to others about his "Jefferson Bible" and some of his beliefs in general. There was once a similar site several years ago that had more letters and even *images* of the originals, but I now can't find it. There are plenty of his other personal writings which clearly document his beliefs, which he did NOT wish to discuss publicly. As it was, he had been loudly denounced as an "atheist" on many occasions. I would also recommend that you buy or borrow a copy of the book, "The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson", and perhaps also, "Thomas Jefferson : Writings : Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia / Public and Private Papers / Addresses / Letters". As far as this topic is concerned, though, the above site should refute your skepticism. Did you honestly think the paragraph or two you read about him in an elementary school history textbook was the whole story? Kris and Dan, you fellows certainly do poor research. Go here:

http://www.angelfire.com/co/JeffersonBible/

and look for the several accompanying personal letters which Jefferson wrote to others about his “Jefferson Bible” and some of his beliefs in general. There was once a similar site several years ago that had more letters and even *images* of the originals, but I now can’t find it. There are plenty of his other personal writings which clearly document his beliefs, which he did NOT wish to discuss publicly. As it was, he had been loudly denounced as an “atheist” on many occasions. I would also recommend that you buy or borrow a copy of the book, “The Life and Selected Writings of Thomas Jefferson”, and perhaps also, “Thomas Jefferson : Writings : Autobiography / Notes on the State of Virginia / Public and Private Papers / Addresses / Letters”.

As far as this topic is concerned, though, the above site should refute your skepticism. Did you honestly think the paragraph or two you read about him in an elementary school history textbook was the whole story?

]]> By: dan http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-69848 dan Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:53:07 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-69848 I agree. Until I see a quote from Jefferson stating that he didn't believe in the subjects he chose to exclude from his Bible, we can't jump to the conclusion that he didn't believe in them. I agree. Until I see a quote from Jefferson stating that he didn’t believe in the subjects he chose to exclude from his Bible, we can’t jump to the conclusion that he didn’t believe in them.

]]> By: Kris http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-69844 Kris Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:15:40 +0000 http://dan.hersam.com/2007/02/27/jeffersons-bible/#comment-69844 "In essence, Thomas Jefferson, along with other founding fathers, did not believe in Jesus’ divinity, the Trinity, resurrection, miracles, or any other supernatural aspect described in the Bible." This is a boldly worded conclusion that I'd like to see supported by a direct quote from Jefferson. I could only find circumstantial evidence. This source listed in the Wikipedia entry (http://web.archive.org/web/20030212234400/http://www.monticello.org/resources/interests/religion.html) starts by saying that Jefferson was always reluctant to share his personal religious beliefs. Just because Jefferson omitted certain things in his collection of verses from the Bible does NOT equate to his disbelief in them - isn't this one of those classic logic errors? Jefferson's religious beliefs are only a curiousity to me, but I think people should be VERY careful about attempting to put words in the mouth of a revered historical figure, who since dead cannot speak for himself. “In essence, Thomas Jefferson, along with other founding fathers, did not believe in Jesus’ divinity, the Trinity, resurrection, miracles, or any other supernatural aspect described in the Bible.”
This is a boldly worded conclusion that I’d like to see supported by a direct quote from Jefferson. I could only find circumstantial evidence. This source listed in the Wikipedia entry (http://web.archive.org/web/20030212234400/http://www.monticello.org/resources/interests/religion.html) starts by saying that Jefferson was always reluctant to share his personal religious beliefs. Just because Jefferson omitted certain things in his collection of verses from the Bible does NOT equate to his disbelief in them - isn’t this one of those classic logic errors? Jefferson’s religious beliefs are only a curiousity to me, but I think people should be VERY careful about attempting to put words in the mouth of a revered historical figure, who since dead cannot speak for himself.

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