Quotes from Thomas Jefferson

The constitutional freedom of religion is the most inalienable and sacred of all human rights

I consider ethics, as well as religion, as supplements to law in the government of man.

Man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous. . . .

Question with boldness even the existence of a god.

Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God

Difference of opinion is helpful in religion.

I have sworn upon the altar of god.

I am an Epicurean. I consider the genuine (not the imputed) doctrines of Epicurus as containing everything rational in moral philosophy which Greece and Rome have left us.

Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.

He, who steadily observes those moral precepts in which all religions concur, will never be questioned at the gates of heaven as to the dogmas in which they all differ.

Neither Pagan nor Mahamedan nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the Commonwealth because of his religion. -quoting John Locke's argument.

I do not find in orthodox Christianity one redeeming feature.

The way to silence religious disputes is to take no notice of them.

Civil officials have no business meddling in private religious affairs.

The moral sense is as much a part of our constitution as that of feeling, seeing, or hearing.

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

The Christian religion is the best religion that has ever been given to man

[O]ur rules can have authority over such natural rights only as we have submitted to them. The rights of conscience we never submitted, we could not submit. We are answerable for them to our God.

I can never join Calvin in addressing his god. He was indeed an Atheist, which I can never be; or rather his religion was Daemonism. If ever man worshipped a false god, he did.

The genuine and simple religion of Jesus will one day be restored: such as it was preached and practiced by Himself.

Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to God alone.

The only foundation for useful education in a republic is to be laid in religion.

I may grow rich by an art I am compelled to follow; I may recover health by medicines I am compelled to take against my own judgment; but I cannot be saved by a worship I disbelieve and abhor.

My religious reading has long been confined to the moral branch of religion, which is the same in all religions; while in that branch which consists of dogmas, all differ[.