Peter Onuf's "The Mind of Thomas Jefferson"

                Thomas Jefferson, a timeless, intellectual figure of American history is praised for his political contributions throughout his lifetime.  Although he influenced the idea of equality, many people tried to find flaws in his political career by questioning his religion, which he refused to reveal.  Throughout *The Mind of Thomas Jefferson*, Peter S. Onuf, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Professor of History at the University of Virginia, analyzes Jefferson’s mysterious religious beliefs by examining quotes and actions of Jefferson throughout his lifetime.  Onuf found that Jefferson, “reinforced his faith in reason and his hostility to the rule of ‘kings, nobles, or priests’ the ‘abandoned confederacy’ that waged perpetual war ‘against the happiness of the mass of the people.”  Jefferson felt that priests were not equipped to stand between man and his God.  He strongly believed that a person’s personal relation with God was the most important. 

Onuf explains Jefferson’s constant push for the right of religious freedom and the separation of church and state for the better of the country.  Jefferson’s disapproval of priesthood stemmed from his personal belief that priests wanted people to follow them only for the sake of profit.  As the priests acquired more power, their income rapidly increased.  Jefferson wished to restore Christianity, “to the original purity and simplicity of its benevolent institutor,” trusting that if the common man is free to think clearly and freely, he will make the right choices.  Jefferson was confident in the fact that people would feel better choosing their path rather than being forced through set rules.  Jefferson’s fear of religious power ruining the foundation of the country gradually increased as he observed the downfall of the Spanish Empire.  He realized that, “the power of the church was so deeply entrenched in the Spanish Empire…however much Revolutionaries there followed the North American lead, they would in the end ‘bow the neck to their priests, and persevere in intolerantism.”  Refusing to follow in the Spanish footsteps, Jefferson pushed to separate church and state. 

As Jefferson pushed for freedom of religion, speculation about his own beliefs arose.  Onuf reveals that, “Jefferson believed that the theological differences that divided Americans in his lifetime ultimately would disappear;” however, he refused to reveal his religion until people began to think openly and logically.  Jefferson felt that the matter of his religious beliefs was not worth shedding blood over.  Most importantly, he wished for a ‘union of sentiments’ and to be remembered, unlike other politicians, for his accomplishments and actions, not his religion.  Onuf admires that Jefferson was not afraid to challenge the priests attempting to take power.  Onuf expresses that people should no longer judge a politician by their religion, but instead by what they have done for their country.  With this in mind, Jefferson upheld his decision and chose to never reveal his beliefs.  Onuf found his self-imposed silence on controversial issues “striking.”  Jefferson’s choice of keeping silent led to his later successes and redirected the focus of his career from religious judgment to the glorification of his great accomplishments. 

Onuf, Peter S.  “The Mind of Thomas Jefferson.”