Attributes Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“His [Calvin's] religion was demonism. If ever man worshiped a false God, he did. The being described in his five points is ... a demon of malignant spirit. It would be more pardonable to believe in no God at all, than to blaspheme him by the atrocious attributes of Calvin” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/723/thomas-jefferson-43_attributes_his-calvin-s-religion-was-demonism-if-ev_1876610.jpg)
“His [Calvin's] religion was demonism. If ever man worshiped a false God, he did. The being described in his five points is ... a demon of malignant spirit. It would be more pardonable to believe in no God at all, than to blaspheme him by the atrocious attributes of Calvin”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Letter to John Adams, 1785
Jefferson critiques Calvinist doctrine as a false, malevolent belief system, suggesting atheism is preferable to worshipping a demonized deity.
In simple terms: He says Calvinism is like worshipping a demon, and atheism is better.
Key Takeaway
Consider the moral implications of belief systems.
Themes
religion
philosophy
skepticism
theology
ethics
Mood
critical
contemplative
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal belief
- theological debate
- historical analysis
- religious tolerance
Key Concepts
demonology
false deity
atheism
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a 'false' deity?
- How does belief shape moral behavior?
A Different Perspective
Critics may argue this view oversimplifies complex theology.
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
