Thomas Jefferson’s Religious Perspectives
John Winthrop’s A Rope in Sand
Many men and women have contributed to the foundation of America, but there are two men who had a major influence on its growth and structure. Thomas Jefferson, and John Winthrop believed that freedom was the basis of all things. Both men, despite their different ideals and belief systems, had a profound influence on both their contemporaries as well as the United States of America. Both men held political and religious office. They were both powerful men with similar religious beliefs. However, their main differences came from their respective religions and the way they influenced their government. While they both believed in God, and followed Him, their beliefs also influenced the way America became what it is today. It was a country founded on religious freedom. With their differing political and religious beliefs, they formed a country that promoted religious freedom.
John Winthrop was attracted to America because it offered the opportunity to break away from England’s questionable Anglican faith. Winthrop arrived in America at the start of colonization. Winthrop took his religious beliefs and his reputation as a leader seriously. Winthrop, along with his fellow travelers, believed that “the purpose” of New England would be to demonstrate to the world that church and government could obey the laws set forth by God. John Winthrop’s main belief was that church should be separated from state, as in England. Both could still influence each other, however. Although the government had the most power, religious leaders could advise others. They were often called on to act as advisors.
In his sermon, A Model of Christian Charity, which he delivered on the way to America he stressed the importance of success in America. He also emphasized that it is important to work together as a team and not individually. Puritans such as him and others believed God was going to control their fates in America and that success or failure would be evident based on God’s influence and future events. He said that both the rich and the poor were important, and it was crucial that they coexisted and helped each other. Winthrop’s belief that God plays a significant role in society is evident. He stated they might not succeed in creating this New World. That would show God did not want or approve of them. He was of the opinion that everyone is equal, and religion is not about a relationship that one has with God or even between oneself. It’s a connection that exists between a group and God.
Winthrop’s religious beliefs were his top priority as a governor. As a governor, Winthrop made it a priority to keep his religious beliefs in front of him. Winthrop alerted different churches in the Roger Williams case and urged ministers to take appropriate action. He was concerned about the protection of religion and state, particularly when it came to people who threatened the community. As he was open and honest about his religion, he came to be admired for radiating true Puritanism. He was very pious and tried his best to live up to Puritan principles, particularly in terms of pleasure. He struggled internally over hunting and other issues that God may have approved or disapproved of.
Thomas Jefferson’s religion had a very different set of values. Thomas Jefferson, while he considered himself a Christian at heart, is better described as a Deist. Deism consists of a belief, at the most basic level, that God created everything based upon natural and science evidence. After that, deists do not believe God can influence our actions or circumstances. Jefferson, who was a deist, believed that Jesus’ moral doctrines “were more perfect and pure than those of most correct…gathering them all in one family…under bonds of love…charity…peace…common needs and common assistance” (Jefferson). Jesus was a great teacher, according to Jefferson. Jefferson rejected in his Bible all miracles and amazing feats he thought were made up. It was not a virgin birth. There were no miracles. And Jesus did not rise from the dead. He was a believer in the teachings and works of his teacher.
Jefferson was more concerned with living life in accordance with Jesus’ teachings than devotedly submitting to God. Although he believed in God, his main concern was what made someone good. In his parables, he emphasized that charity is important and privilege doesn’t guarantee you are a good human being. In the story of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with tears from her eyes, she is portrayed as a “bad”, sinful person. Jesus replied to Simon that she had been his host and not Simon. Jefferson shows through this parable that he believes in Jesus’ teachings, that good works are more important than riches and tributes. This belief is intriguing because Jefferson was not perfect by his own standards. He owned slaves, committed adultery and was quite wealthy. Jefferson was a firm believer in separation between church and state. He thought the state was too focused on religion and funding, in particular. He was a leader who used his scientific, philosophical and analytical thinking when making decisions.
Jefferson and Winthrop were both Christians but they held many different beliefs about Christianity. Jefferson was first to establish the level of separation between church and the state. Winthrop held a much more moderate view. Winthrop firmly believed in the Bible, and changed everything in his life in order to follow what it taught Puritans. Jefferson was more sceptical about the Bible and the origins of it. He thought that a lot of the Bible had been made up.
Winthrop, in his “A Model of Christian Charity”, preached on the Puritans and the importance of God in their daily lives. He told them that God could punish them for failure or reward them for success. Jefferson did not agree with this belief. He believed God was absent in everyday life. The main difference is this. Even though they were both leaders of the same country, with a relatively short period between them, their practices and views on it were very different. Winthrop’s leadership was based on his religion. Jefferson was a man of science and reason, not religion. His country still held religious values. Winthrop, a well-known religious leader in his community, was criticized by his critics and was questioned about his beliefs.
Both men were instrumental in shaping America today. The foundation of America is religious freedom. Although they held different beliefs, both men had similar ideas about religious freedom. Jefferson’s views were not popular, while the Puritans left the Church of England. It is this foundation that makes the United States what it is today, a place in which the forefounders were allowed to live their lives according to their own beliefs with little interference from government.
In spite of their differences, they were both able to lead and control a large group of people with a successful and resourceful way that shaped a nation. Winthrop was a Puritan who taught his shipmates about the power of God and their hope for success. He ruled the colonies with wisdom and devotion. Jefferson, as the third US president, was known for his religious views, which were quite different. Jefferson believed strongly in the scientific method and the logical processing of data and information. Although they differed in their opinions of the Bible and other issues, they helped to build this nation into what it is now, a foundation for religious equality and freedom.