Originally Posted By: FursniperSwampy....We can't put our faith in men. Thomas Jefferson not only stated the things you posted, he also put these statements in writing.
Quote:THOMAS JEFFERSON
SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; DIPLOMAT; GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA; SECRETARY OF STATE; THIRD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
The doctrines of Jesus are simple, and tend all to the happiness of man.63
The practice of morality being necessary for the well being of society, He [God] has taken care to impress its precepts so indelibly on our hearts that they shall not be effaced by the subtleties of our brain. We all agree in the obligation of the moral principles of Jesus and nowhere will they be found delivered in greater purity than in His discourses.64
I am a Christian in the only sense in which He wished anyone to be: sincerely attached to His doctrines in preference to all others.65
I am a real Christian – that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus Christ.66
63. Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert Bergh, editor (Washington, D. C.: Thomas Jefferson Memorial Assoc., 1904), Vol. XV, p. 383, to Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse on June 26, 1822.
64. Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Alberty Ellery Bergh, editor (Washington D.C.: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904), Vol. XII, p. 315, to James Fishback, September 27, 1809.
65. Thomas Jefferson, Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies from the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Randolph, editor (Boston: Grey & Bowen, 1830), Vol. III, p. 506, to Benjamin Rush, April 21, 1803.
66. Thomas Jefferson, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Albert Ellery Bergh, editor (Washington, D.C.: The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Association, 1904), Vol. XIV, p. 385, to Charles Thomson on January 9, 1816
http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=8755#R66
Look, Thomas Jefferson as I, believed Jesus to be mortal like the rest of us. Does this diminish any of his teachings? I've read a decent amount of the Bible and that is also my interpretation. Jesus's downfall was that he lived in a crappy place during a bygone era. For that he ultimately payed with his life. If things unraveled as purported, When Jesus asked "father why have you forsaken thee?" then died shortly there after. That was just one more instance where God's hand failed to show up. IN MY OPINION
The Bible to me, gives us the rare view into the mixed up mind of a bronze aged middle eastern goat herder. (Its understandable to take pen to paper and vent. As living in that kinda environment must've been hella frustrating to say the least). It's a document that shares their thoughts about the workings of the world. I say this as not to ridicule, how could they have known the earth was not made in seven days or that those little specks of light in the sky are actually the light of suns billions of miles away? How could they have known about governing democracies and republics, when all they were ever exposed to were brutal kings and emperors? Had they been, perhaps the books would have been written a bit differently.
Luckily, we don't need religions or books to issue our morals. They're inherent in us. otherwise, we never would have made it this far withought them. There once was a time not to long ago, when "humans" weren't human as we are today. Though they couldn't talk, or pass on religious beliefs, they cared for their young and stuck together. The crooks, A-holes and free loaders didn't last long...that is my lineage, not Adam and Eve.