One would almost think that Thomas Jefferson was describing the folks at The Family Foundation in Richmond or Maggie Gallagher or Tony Perkins in his statement on the intolerance that Christians visit upon others. Rather than being defined by their love and allegiance to Christ's Gospel message, it is their contempt and mistreatment of others. Here's Jefferson's statement via Warren Throckmorton's blog:In Thomas Jefferson’s Notes of Religion (Oct. 1776), Thomas Jefferson quotes John Locke on toleration of religious views.
He [Locke] sais ‘neither Pagan nor Mahomedan [Muslim] nor Jew ought to be excluded from the civil rights of the Commonwealth because of his religion.’ Shall we suffer a Pagan to deal with us and not suffer him to pray to his god? Why have Xns. [Christians] been distinguished above all people who have ever lived, for persecutions? Is it because it is the genius of their religion? No, it’s genius is the reverse. It is the refusing toleration to those of a different opn [opinion] which has produced all the bustles and wars on account of religion. It was the misfortune of mankind that during the darker centuries the Xn. [Christian] priests following their ambition and avarice combining with the magistrate to divide the spoils of the people, could establish the notion that schismatics might be ousted of their possessions & destroyed. This notion we have not yet cleared ourselves from. In this case no wonder the oppressed should rebel, & they will continue to rebel & raise disturbance until their civil rights are fully restored to them & all partial distinctions, exclusions & incapacitations removed. (Online Library of Liberty: The Works, vol. 2 (1771-1779).
Obviously, conservative Christians and the Catholic bishops have changed little over the last 235+ years. Things certainly have not changed for the better here in Virginia where the Christofascists are out of control
No comments:
Post a Comment