“If the freedom of religion, guaranteed to us by law in theory, can ever rise in practice under the overbearing inquisition of public opinion, then and only then will truth, prevail over fanaticism.”

The prevailing fanaticism of the occupying statist theocracy now infesting this land only allows public expressions, definitions of life and anti-law canons of its socialistic atheism. The currently in power occupying statist theocry is at war with other religions (religious thought), freedom and truth.

Jefferson was a deist. He once said that he wouldn't trouble you with his religion if you would not trouble him with yours. "The Essence Of Jefferson " by Martin Larson is a great book on Jefferson's opinions on religion, politics and more. Many of his letters to John Adams are included.

Thank you Jim K from Austin, I look forward to reading "Essence of Jefferson." The Jefferson quote is typical of Jefferson as it captures a singularly fair and unbiased Enlightenment theme. To be clear, church/state separation and freedoms including religion and speech were the brilliant work of Dr. John Clarke (1609-1676). Jefferson had but to dust off the Rhode Island 1663 Charter in order to become the great man that he was.

Yes, and the same is true for government founded upon Liberty and the acknowledgement of the natural-born, inalienable rights of humankind. I suppose Jefferson's sentiment can be summed up with "the truth will set you free."

He further quotes, " and the genuine doctrines of Jesus, so long perverted by pseudo-priests, will be restored to their original purity. This reformation will advance with the other improvements of the human mind, but too late for me to witness it." He was well aware that priests had changed the doctrines to suit their own needs and that "Christianity had strayed from the original doctrines of Jesus Christ"