What Thomas Jefferson thinks about religion

@thomas-jefferson · 19 positions · On ppll ↗

Third US President (1743 to 1826); author of the Declaration of Independence and Notes on the State of Virginia.

Thomas Jefferson did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

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Only Thomas Jefferson on religion. See everyone on religion

2 dated positions, c. 1781–1787, in their own words. Our reading of what Thomas Jefferson has said — not written or endorsed by them.

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1. c. 1781–1787

   Our readingReligious coercion has made half the world fools and the other half hypocrites

   Their wordsWhat has been the effect of coercion? To make one-half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites.

   ↗Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVII: Religion (1853 edition)en.wikisource.org All 9 from this book

3. c. 1781–1787

   Our readingThe way to silence religious disputes is to take no notice of them

   Their wordsThey have made the happy discovery, that the way to silence religious disputes is to take no notice of them.

   ↗Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVII: Religion (1853 edition)en.wikisource.org All 9 from this book