No historical fact is better established, than that the doctrine of one God, pure and uncompounded, was that of the early ages of Christianity : Nor was the unity of the Supreme Being ousted from the Christian creed by the force of reason, but by the sword of civil government, wielded at the will of the fanatic Athanasius. The hocus-pocus phantasm of a God like another Cerberus, with one body and three heads, had its birth and growth in the blood of thousands of martyrs : The Athanasian paradox that one is three, and three but one, is so incomprehensible to the human mind, that no candid man can say he has any idea of it, and how can he believe what presents no idea? He who thinks he does, only deceives himself. He proves, also, that man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without rudder, is the sport of every wind. With such person, gullibility which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason, and the mind becomes a wreck.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Jefferson argues that monotheism was original Christianity and that complex doctrines like the Trinity were imposed by force against reason.
- In plain terms
- He says simple belief in one God was original and complex ideas were forced by rulers.
- What can you take from it?
- Stick to reasonable beliefs rather than complex dogmas.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What is the core of faith?
- Who decides religious truth?
Another view
Complex doctrines provide depth and community structure for many believers.
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