Jefferson Review

"Your Liberty is Our Interest"

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PRESIDENTIAL QUOTE FOR THE WEEK 

This week's presidential quote comes directly from the pen of President Thomas Jefferson when he wrote to a group of Baptists in Danbury, Connecticut.  They were concerned about the possible establishment of a church that they would be required to attend.  Jefferson wrote to ensure them that their free practice of religious liberty would never be interfered with by the government, for that would go against the will of the people and the Constitution.   Jefferson closed his letter by thanking them for their prayers on his behalf. 


Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.

I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem.
--Thomas Jefferson, January 1, 1802.

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