Monkish ignorance

I don't have any editorial for this one, as if any would matter to the masses *still* driving around with W stickers on their cars, right next to their anti-Darwin "truth" fishes.

Bush Edits Out Jefferson's Religious Views

Bush (4th of July address at Monticello):

Thomas Jefferson understood that these rights do not belong to Americans alone. They belong to all mankind. And he looked to the day when all people could secure them. On the 50th anniversary of America's independence, Thomas Jefferson passed away. But before leaving this world, he explained that the principles of the Declaration of Independence were universal. In one of the final letters of his life, he wrote, "May it be to the world, what I believe it will be -- to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all -- the Signal of arousing men to burst the chains, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government."

Jefferson:

May it be to the world, what I believe it will be, (to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all,) the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government.

Comments

Historical Context

The majority of persons in the US at that time were Protestants. A quick search of christian writings from this this time frame will easily yield a strong anti-papist opinion due to the bondage protestants believed the roman pope kept his followers. (salvation by faith through Christ alone vs salvation by works order by the roman church)

Much can be argued in support or against Jefferson's religious beliefs. But when taken into context of the world in which Jefferson lived, I fail to see how the quote presented here is a condemnation of Christianity.

BTW... I never had a W sticker, and I think the Darwin "truth" plates are only a little less childish than the "flying spaghetti monster" ones.

I don't think anyone said the

I don't think anyone said the quote here was a "condemnation of Christianity"? The point is that it was selectively edited, apparently, and that a fairly egregious "revisionism" - on a 4th of July speech (or any other day for that matter).

And, the Pastafarian stickers aren't serious, of course, rather they are an indictment of the ID-truth charade - so I wouldn't really call them "childish," personally - funny, but far from childish when you consider the bigger picture and the point of that "movement."

Great website

It was great talking with you tonight at the Pharyngufest! About this post, I think that Bush sure can be a real weasel sometimes (another instance would be yesterday's denial of EPA findings by Bush). As for the stickers, I've recently seen one that gave me a good laugh: an upside-down 'W' sticker that reads 'Moron' on the bottom. I have noticed quite a few bitter Kerry-Edwards stickers, too.

D'oh!, just noticed that was

D'oh!, just noticed that was supposed to be directed at kebernet. heh. my bad :)

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.