[Unedited] Steven Waldman with Krista Tippett

Jefferson's Fury

Thomas Jefferson's religious beliefs were marked by a deep-seated fury towards the church and its interpretations of Jesus' message. Steven Waldman explains that Jefferson was enraged by what he saw as a thousand years of corruption of Jesus' words, starting with the apostles and continuing through history 1. His personal quest to rescue Jesus from these distortions led to the creation of the Jefferson Bible, where he meticulously cut out parts of the Bible he disagreed with, such as miracles and the resurrection 1.

Jefferson's passion for Jesus and his need to rescue and resuscitate Jesus is really palpable.

--- Steven Waldman

Jefferson kept his Bible project secret due to political fears, as his opponents used his religious views against him, labeling him an atheist 2.

   

Madison's Vision

James Madison's vision for religious liberty was deeply influenced by his alliances with evangelicals and his nuanced approach to church and state separation. Steven Waldman highlights Madison's belief that state involvement in religion, even if intended to help, ultimately harms it 3. Madison argued that the best religion is one that thrives independently of government support, pointing to early Christianity as an example 3.

The purest period of Christianity was before it got state support.

--- Steven Waldman

Madison's surprising alliances with evangelicals were crucial in his political career, as they supported his opposition to state-supported religion and helped secure his election to Congress 4.

   

Founding Perspectives

The Founding Fathers held diverse and often conflicting views on religion and government, challenging the notion of a unified stance. Steven Waldman notes that while some founders supported separation of church and state to promote religion, others believed state support was necessary 5. Madison, for instance, feared that government involvement would sap religion of its vitality, a view he believed was validated by the thriving religious landscape in America 6.

There is no such thing as the founding fathers as a unitary bloc when it comes to these issues.

--- Steven Waldman

This diversity of thought among the founders reflects the complexity of their intentions and the ongoing debates about their legacy 6.