Give your thoughts on the Jefferson Bible

[Quixote1818]

Thomas Jefferson believed that the ethical system of Jesus was the finest the world has ever seen. In compiling what has come to be called "The Jefferson Bible," he sought to separate those ethical teachings from the religious dogma and other supernatural elements that are intermixed in the account provided by the four Gospels. He presented these teachings, along with the essential events of the life of Jesus, in one continuous narrative.
This presentation of The Jefferson Bible offers the text as selected and arranged by Jefferson in two separate editions: one edition uses a revised King James Version of the biblical texts, corrected in accordance with the findings of modern scholarship; the second edition uses the original unrevised KJV. The actual verses of the Bible used for both http://www.angelfire.com/co/JeffersonBible/

[uhhuh]

1. Well, We're Movin' On Up!!

Oh, you meant THOMAS Jefferson. I think I will check this out.

[idlisambar]

2. An example of enlightenment era thinking

Jefferson was very much a part of that intellectual movement. Jefferson himself was more of a Deist than a Christian. Whatever you think of Jefferson the man and his obvious hypocrisies, it is very fortunate that Jefferson was one of political and intellectual Father's of our country -- his words provided a lot intellectual ammunition for liberalism.

[Rabrrrrrr]

3. In my understanding, Jefferson is the most singularly important

founder of our country's declaration of independance and the consitution and the modeling of our national psyche, until the nixon assholes put a dent in it and the reaganites detroyed it.

[underpants]

6. The founding fathers were NOT fundies and the Pilgrims were freaks

There I said it. The pilgrims didn't come here for "religous freedom" they got kicked out of everywhere because they were odd fundametalists. Thank God for them for making the trip but they are painted with a red white and blue brush.

This may soudn trivial but there was a final Jeopardy answer once ~: The Mayflower did not reach it's intended destination of Virginia stopping early because they had run out of this.

The correct question (according to Jeopardy) was:What is beer?

Also the Jamestown settlers were city folks who didn't know how to grow crops or feed themselves and Howard Zinn points out that there is a great deal of evidence that they resorted to cannibalism.

If you have never visited Montecello make the trip, it is incredible. Mr.Jefferson built a clock (had to drill through the floor in the entrance way to fit the weights) that still is accurate within a second a year. He engineered the staircases to only be 24" wide to save space, he also designed his bed in a little cut out in the bedroom wall. He made a swiveling podium to be able to read and cite 4 books at a time and a "copying machine" or sorts as he wrote correspondence a copy was created with and attachment on paper just to the side. All rainwater is collected and used to water the gardens and the fields. He hosted visitors for months to years which was part of the reason he was broke and sold his books to start the Library of Congress. He also ran and swam in his youth in accordance with the life of the natives in the area.

He also designed a home for Monroe (if I recall correctly)and being the smartass that he was the doorways to the back of the house were too short for Monroe to walk through so he had to bow over to fit through, the back faces in the direction of Montecello so Monroe was continually bowing to TJ and his house. Funny.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. Ash Lawn, Virginia, outside of Charlottesville. Beautiful estate.

http://www.ashlawnhighland.org/jm--ofva.htm

[mermaid]

4. Yes, The Actual Title of The Jefferson Bible Is....

The Life And Times Of Jesus of Nazareth.

It is a much-respected, and much-used text in Unitarian Universalist churches...of which I am a member.

Jefferson, a scholar fluent in six languages sought out the very oldest texts he could find, and also attempted to compile the four Gospels into one narrative, resolving the contradictions where possible, and not including the miracles. The resultant text was The Life And Times of Jesus of Nazareth, commonly referred to as The Jefferson Bible.

Jefferson, by compiling this work, sought to explore the TEACHINGS of Jesus, rather than the miracles.

Y'all may be interested to know that a copy of The Jeffrson Bible is traditionally given to every new incoming member of the House and Senate, and is also a traditional gift for graduation of high school for Unitarian Universalist young adults.

[izzie]

5. This was my father's church and the one I was first taken to.

I believe this is the church that came from the old NE church just as the Congregational church did and where I grew up. It was the church of Adams. It was the push in freeing the slaves. I know a lot of people who have moved to this church, and the best thing is you are taught to think for yourself. Many churches just do not like that. They seem to want you to believe their way or else.I married into a Cat. family and they used to say I was in a cult. Odd as now some in that family are also in this church.

[mermaid]

8. Yes

This is also why I am a Unitarian Universalist...they encourage you to think for yourself, and don't disparage or disrespect you for the decisions you arrive at, no matter how unpopular they might be.