[Q]To Messrs. Nehemiah Dodge and Others, a Committee of the Danbury Baptist Association, in the State of Connecticut
Gentleman,
The affectionate sentiments of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association, give me the highest satisfaction. My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof thus building a wall of separation between church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man all his natural rights, convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties.
I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and Creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem.
T.W. Jefferson [/Q]
In no place in this letter does Jefferson say laws cannot be created. Now from this letter can it be interpreted that he would not support the establishment of saying the rosary in a school. Yes, I agree with you.
It does not say that laws cannot be created RE: abortion and marriage.
Since when is abortion and marriage solely considered simply a religious issue.
On a final note....3 days after this letter was written.....Jefferson attended church in the House of Representatives building. That sounds very separated. Should we be honoring what Jefferson intended? What we think he intended? Was he being a hypocryte that day?