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Thomas Jefferson on Religion

1743–1826 United States

← All quotes by Thomas Jefferson

10 quotes

Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law [this quote is referring to English Common Law].

Vol. 1 Whether Christianity is Part of the Common Law (1764)

The office of reformer of the superstitions of a nation, is ever dangerous.

Knowing that religion does not furnish grosser bigots than law, I expect little from old judges.

Letter to Thomas Cooper (1810)

Politics, like religion, hold up the torches of martyrdom to the reformers of error.

It is in our lives, and not from our words, that our religion must be read.

Freedom of religion, restricted only from acts of trespass on that of others.

Letter to A. Coray (1823)

Religions are all alike – founded upon fables and mythologies.

May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all), the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government.

1. Religion shall be free; 2. Printing presses free; 3. Trials by jury preserved in all cases; 4. No monopolies in commerce; 5. No standing army.

In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own. It is error alone that needs the support of government. Truth can stand by itself.

a letter to Horatio Spofford (1814)

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: Thomas Jefferson (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.