"Start Each Day The Positive Way," at Internet Daily Chapel - Christian daily worship service and practical guide.http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/idc.html
Keywords: Jefferson Bible Download Free Copy Thomas Jefferson Freedom Of Religion Separation Of Church And State Wall Of Separation Between Church And State Freedom Of Speech First Amendment United States Constitution Ethics Of Jesus vs. Religion Of Christianity Golden Rule
Thomas Jefferson was the author of the phrase "wall of separation between church and state." He felt that the government had no business trying to control what people believed (as the government of England had tried to do.) And he felt there should never be any such thing as an "official church" of the country, as the Church Of England was in England.
Here is a link to Jefferson's letter which first mentions a "wall of separation" between church and state.
Jefferson also compiled a collection of Bible verses which is now known as "The Jefferson Bible." These verses contain the ethical teachings of Jesus without the religious content of either Judaism or Christianity. Jefferson considered these to be the pure teachings of Jesus, and he felt they were best ethical system ever developed.
Jefferson was able to distinguish clearly in his mind between the Ethics Of Jesus and the Religion Of Christianity. He accepted and embraced the Ethics Of Jesus, which includes the central ideas of The Golden Rule and love for all people. But he rejected the Religion Of Christianity, which includes the ideas of the virgin birth, the resurrection, baptism, the divinity of Christ, the indwelling of The Holy Spirit, and salvation through faith in Christ.
Thus, he believed that teaching the Ethics Of Jesus is not the same thing as promoting or "establishing" the Religion Of Christianity.
Therefore, Jefferson must have believed that teaching the Ethics Of Jesus does not violate the "wall of separation between church and state," which he himself erected.
Note: As a Christian minister, I accept both the Ethics Of Jesus and the Religion Of Christianity. But Jefferson accepted only the Ethics Of Jesus, which he considered to be very beneficial to the happiness and well-being of mankind. But he was opposed to Government promotion of Christianity or any other religion.
Here is your link to a free copy of The Jefferson Bible.
To see the copy at the Library Of Congress, please click HERE, then enter "Jefferson Bible" in the search box.
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men
should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this
is the law and the prophets."
For more information about The Jefferson Bible, please follow the links
you will find below:
Thomas Jefferson was the guiding intellect behind the American Revolution and modern Democracy. His writings are collected HERE! (also framed below). YOU ARE INVITED TO EXPLORE, particularly on the subjects of JESUS, ETHICS, and RELIGION.
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"Start Each Day The Positive Way," at Internet Daily Chapel - Christian daily worship service and practical guide.
http://www.internetchurchofchrist.org/idc.html