They say: [H]e detested the entire clergy, regarding them as a worthless class living like parasites upon the labors of others.1 Thomas Jefferson, in fact, was fiercely anti-cleric.2 “The clergy” were one of his enemies who were trying to keep him from being elected President. Surely they would have wanted a devout, God-fearing Christian to be elected! So this is one more proof of Jefferson’s religious beliefs.3 Some of the Framers of the Constitution were anti-clerical—Thomas Jefferson, for example.4 By now, we have covered enough original source material from Jefferson to make these claims laughably, obviously incorrect. But let us proceed to put the final nails in the coffin of this lie and lay it permanently to rest. Of course, as noted in the last chapter, with the fact that Jefferson was not a framer of the Constitution despite what writers such as Austin Cline, the author of the latter quote and a leader in prominent secularist groups, continue wrongly to assert. But notwithstanding that glaring historical inaccuracy, was Jefferson indeed anticlerical?
What do You think about The Jefferson Lies (2012)?
