Jefferson the Reformer

[Looking at why our area has its unique political and religious attitudes.]

How did Thomas Jefferson’s religion influence our local politics?

William Curtis (1901) regaled with the story of an educated stranger who recounts his meeting Jefferson at an inn.

When he spoke law, I thought he was a lawyer; when he talked about mechanics, I was sure he was an engineer; when he got into medicine, it was evident he was a physician; when he discussed theology, I was convinced he must be a clergyman; when he talked of literature, I made up my mind that I had run against a college professor who knew everything.”

Jefferson with his colleague and old friend, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, one of the greatest scientists recognized by scientific societies in multiple countries, were the dominant architects of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. That is an awesome combination of talent.

The two promoted the idea of not having a state religion. What they framed was very different from some interpretations, which cannot withstand historical scrutiny. The background of world history explains why.

In earlier history, each country and culture had their own god and resulting religion which guided their governance and national relationships.

Wars, executions, and assassinations transpire in the name of religion. Religion and politics (philosophy) are inseparable. They are an explanation of our emotional framework which defines our value system. Marx was simply wrong when he boldly proclaimed religion as the opiate of the masses. Everyone has a religion and philosophy, whether they recognize it and admit it or not.

Along came Judaism, which affirmed their God was the greatest. Then about 2000 years ago, the Jewish religious leaders forced out a sect who became called Christians (students of Christ). Their influence spread rapidly to the west and dominated the European religious landscape.

Although there were numerous smaller traditions, a major group developed in league with the expanding Roman Empire, called the Roman Catholic. This was the religion of Europe’s kings. Then the Orthodox traditions separated and became the state religions of eastern Europe. With the crumbling of the Roman empire each region became a separate country but still embracing alliance with the Church.

The big sequence of events which directly impacts Jefferson’s thought process and consequently the settler-leaders of our Territory was the Reformation. Because of excesses in the state and church alliance, the Reformation came after 1517, over a hundred plus year period, as leaders redefined the Church traditions.

Although the Catholic Church survived on a much smaller scale, three major segments came out of the Reformation movement. These are broad characterizations of numerous nuances, practices, and teachings.

The “magisterial reform” groups kept much of the traditions, but no longer were under the Roman Church. Notable groups were Anglican or Episcopal, and Lutheran, who were the state religions of England and Germany respectively.

The reformed protestant groups followed Calvin with a very authoritarian, oppressive teaching and leadership. Notable groups were Presbyterian and Reformed, who were the state religion of Switzerland and Scotland. Congregationalist (Puritans) broke from the Anglican, followed the reformed protestant teaching, but had the government of the radical reformed groups.

The radical reform groups followed independent, free-thinking, personal responsibility teaching with limited hierarchal leadership. For obvious reasons these were called Separatists. Notable groups were Amish, Mennonites, and Baptist, who influenced the religion and leaders of Holland.

This milieu in 1620 was the driving environment for the Pilgrims (radical reformed or Separatists) to leave their homes and oppression by other religious groups in Europe to travel in a cramped, disease ridden ship, to settle in a place without any structured society. They were sure the freedom was worth the risk of death. Half of them died within the first year.

Because the colonists were pursuing religious practice on their terms, the make-up of the early settlers was predominantly magisterial reform, reformed protestant, and radical reformed. Few Catholics or Orthodox made the unfathomable journey to create nascent America. Why?

As more people crossed the Atlantic to come to the new land, they tended to settle in colonies with like-minded people. Consequently, eight colonies had a religion that their government imposed and financially supported with tax dollars. These included five Anglican and three Congregational colonies. Consistent with their radical reform influence, the Baptist and Quaker colonies did not have a state religion.

As the colonies came together to form a new nation, the passion of each for their form of government and religion caused consternation. It was this disagreement that Jefferson and Franklin addressed when advocating there be no state sanctioned church or religion.

Both gentlemen were decidedly acknowledged followers of Christian teaching, but wanted to allow people to follow their own religious tradition without submission to the state or federal government. Their design was freedom of religious practice from government control not freedom from religion. With that understanding, which reform practice would Jefferson and Franklin fit?

The answer to that question leads to a common mis-perception of the two, but that is another story.

Think of how religious traditions influence politics (philosophy). Can you influence without a value system? What is your value system?

Excerpts from our book: Separatists, Spinoza, & Scientists, The Mavericks of Intellectual Freedom, ISBN: 9781797744827