Honor the principle of religious freedom

Posted January 08, 2025 4:00 am

Thank you so much for the excellent history lesson articulated by Javeed Akhter regarding the founding fathers’ views on religious freedom.

I would like to add that, contrary to those who argue that America was founded as a Christian country, the author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, was not a Christian. Although he respected and studied the philosophy of Jesus as set forth in the New Testament, Jefferson was a Deist, as was Benjamin Franklin, and did not believe that Jesus was divine.

Jefferson was often subject to attack by Christians because of his religious beliefs. That fact no doubt reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of religious freedom he embodied in the 1786 Virginia religious freedom act he authored.

Jefferson and Franklin worked diligently to ensure that the United States treated all religions and beliefs equally. We should honor that principal today.

Patricia Motto

Elmhurst

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