Kindest Regards, wil!
It was when I mentioned the Jeffersonian Gospels and the changes and ommissions he made to M, M, L & J that got me in hot water before....and still. Talk about throwing the baby out with the bath water...Spong doesn't hold a candle to some of Jefferson's discussions on this topic.
Yes, when you first brought up the topic it was considered a bit...controversial. More so than it was felt this forum was capable of handling, which is why it was pulled. I believe I stated early in this thread that this was an experiment to see if we could make things work. It seems most of the storm has blown over, perhaps now (at least in this thread) something like Jefferson's views could be raised if done respectfully.
I have heard allusion to Jefferson's views, and in light of the wording of the Declaration of Independence and Preamble to the Constitution, I can see where this may be so.
I have also recently heard that Sir Isaac Newton, an ordained clergyman, had some rather "heretical" views that kept him out of the pulpit. So Jefferson was not unique.
Jefferson was raised in a conversation I had recently. Consider, Jefferson was a consumate statesman if nothing else. While he may have had "non-mainstream" views, he was also accutely aware his consituency had decidedly mainstream views, and he of necessity played to that need on the part of those he served. If I recall correctly, Jefferson was instrumental in advocating the separation of church and state, unheard of before then (in practice). The U.S. was founded initially at Jamestown Va by Christians of the church of England, and shortly after a group of religious dissidents (Quakers?) fleeing the church of England founded Plymouth Rock in Mass. Maryland was founded by refugee Catholics from England. The U.S. has a great deal of Christian ancestry, and its legal codes are founded in large part on Christian values (not least the Ten Commandments). Even so, separation of church and state affords the Constitutional Right and Guarantee of freedom of worship for all, that the government cannot abridge. The exception in practice being when law is broken by excuse of religion (i.e., polygamy, illegal drug use, etc.). Even these sometimes are overturned with due process.
In general, Americans as a people are free to worship as we please, or not worship if we choose not to do so. By Constitutional Right. No matter how much we disagree, or view another as heretical, infidel, or heathen. We have no right to impose our religion on any other. Having laid this as a rule, I realize there are exceptions. People are people, and there will always be those who will abuse their authority to undermine the intent and purpose. That is one of the great things about being American, we can stand up against these people, and undo the wrongs done by them. Even if that wrong was committed with the best of intent.
