authored the first plan of education adopted by the

authored the first plan of education adopted by the city of Washington, which used the Bible as one of the principle books to teach reading to students. Obviously, those who champion “separation of churcn and state” are either ignorant of what Jefferson stood for, or they are simply ignoring the truth to promote their own anti-God agenda.

Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, in which he invoked the authority of “Nature’s God” and the protections of “Divine Providence.” As President, he offered A National Prayer for Peace that begins “Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage....” He signed into law bills which appropriated financial support for chaplains in Congress and in the armed forces.

He signed the Articles of War, April 10, 1806, in which he “Earnestly recommended to all officers and soldiers, diligently to attend divine services.” While there are many, many more observances I could offer to demonstrate Jefferson’s beliefs, let me end with the following comment he made with respect to religion: “Deemed to other countries incompatible with good government and yet proved by our experience to be its best support.”

Furthermore, State-sponsored religions were not prohibited by the First Amendment when it was adopted. The founders, from 13 different States, were making sure that their freedom to worship in accordance with the religion of their particular State would not be interfered with by the Federal government.

The official religion of Virginia, at the time of adoption of the First Amendment, was the Episcopal religion. It was not until the adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment that the First Amendment became applicable to the States.

Accordingly, the argument that the “founders” intended that the First Amendment would create a “separation of church and state” is clearly erroneous and contrary to historical evidence.

Jim Oyster

Castleton