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Thomas Jefferson’s Letter
to the Danbury Baptists |
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This is the letter from Thomas Jefferson that contains
the famous phrase, "wall of separation between church and state." |
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About The Letter:
This is the letter that Jefferson sent to the Danbury Babtists that
gets quoted every time a liberal wants to prevent a Christian from exercising
his religion. The term "Wall of Separation between church and state" was
first used in this letter. Notice how he mentions the line from the first
amendment regarding the legislature making no law respecting an establishment of
religion or restricting the free exercise thereof. That has to do with the
legislature (congress) making laws that establish religion. Many try to
stop those employed by the government (such as a school teacher) from wearing a
crucifix while on the job by utilizing the first amendment and invoking the wall
of separation term. But an employee of the government such as a school
teacher is not acting as a member of the legislature (congress) passing a law.
Oddly enough, while Jefferson was President, he permitted the use of government
funds for the purpose of distributing bibles to the Indians. He didn't
believe that an act such as that should be considered the establishment of
religion. What the founding fathers originally intended was that no
specific Christian denomination be adopted as the official government religion.
They, however, believed that America would always be a Christian nation.
It was inconceivable to them that America could be anything else. It's
interesting how far we've come. |
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To Messrs. Nehemiah Dodge and Others, a Committee of the Danbury Baptist
Association, in the State of Connecticut |
January 1, 1802
GENTLEMAN,
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as
to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association, give me the
highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the
interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my
fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and
his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that
the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I
contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which
declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment
of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of
separation between church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme
will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with
sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to
man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to
his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common
Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious
association, assurances of my high respect and esteem. |
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