New Confirmation of Thomas Jefferson's View of "Separation of Church and State" By Olivia Hanson The Library of Congress is hosting an exhibit that confirms the role of strong religious convictions by America's Founders. James H. Hutson, the library's chief of manuscripts has provided scholarly research to confirm that Thomas Jefferson's phrase "separation of church and state" was never written to establish a Constitutional precedent of complete separation of church and state. The incorrect portrayal by the Supreme Court of Jefferson's phrase was and is the basis for the Court's systematic removal of religious freedoms in America's public institutions. (See: Religious Speech: A Public Offense (Part I and II) http://1faith.org/religspe.shtml ) and Thomas Jefferson and The Myth of Separation http://1faith.org/myth.html ) Jefferson's 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists of Connecticut was to assure the Baptist there would not be an established national religion, as the Church of England. Jefferson had been attacked as an atheist by his political enemies, the Federalists and was attempting to shore political support in the letter. Prior to Mr. Hutson's confirmation of Jefferson's purpose of the 1802 letter, the actions of President Jefferson that supported many examples of church and state blending had been historically established. The FBI's technological ability to scan deleted portions of the letter affirmed the phrase was not an attempt to interpret the Constitution. Jefferson's participation and encouragement of Church services within Congress - after writing the letter - clearly defined his intentions and view of the importance of orthodox religion as the foundation of good government. Visit the Library of Congress: Religion and the Founding of the American Republic http://lcweb.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9805/religion.html The following is an excerpt from, Faith of Our Forefathers, Religion and the Founding of the American Republic Religion and the Federal Government "Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, the third and fourth presidents, are generally considered less hospitable to religion than their predecessors, but evidence shows that, while in office, both offered religion powerful symbolic support. During his two administrations (1801-1809), Jefferson was a "most regular attendant" at church services in the House of Representatives at which, surviving records show, evangelical Christianity was forcefully preached. Madison followed Jefferson's example, although unlike Jefferson, who road on horseback to church in the Capitol, Madison came in a coach and four. Jefferson permitted church services to be conducted by various denominations in government buildings, such as the Treasury and the War Department. During his administration, the Gospel was also preached in the Supreme Court chambers. It is, in fact, accurate to say that on Sundays in Washington during the Jefferson and Madison administrations the state became the church. Recently, scholars have contended that Jefferson adopted a more positive view of Christianity in the 1790s as a result of reading Joseph Priestly's arguments that many of the miraculous features of Christianity to which Jefferson objected were not authentic, having been added at a later time by a self-interested priesthood. [Editor's note: Though Jefferson has been described as a deist, he did not hold to a primary principle of deism that God does not intervene in the affairs of mankind or any universal law.] Whatever the reason, after becoming president in 1801, Jefferson began making statements about the social value of Christianity." ----------------------- President Thomas Jefferson, March 4, 1805, offered A National Prayer for Peace: Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those to whom in Thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. *********************[EMAIL PROTECTED]******************** The Patriot Resource Center: http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/6627/ Online Patriot Internet Radio: http://www.geocities.com/aresister_2000/ **********************Live Free or Die!*********************<>< <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! 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