Believe Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“If we could believe that Jesus...countenanced the follies, falsehoods and charlatanisms which his biographers father on him, ...the conclusion would be irresistible...that he was an imposter.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Notes on the State of Virginia, 1785
The quote suggests that if we accept the biographers' negative portrayals of Jesus, we might conclude he was a fraud.
In simple terms: Questioning Jesus' authenticity based on biased biographies.
Key Takeaway
Consider evidence before forming conclusions.
Themes
skepticism
religion
historical analysis
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- historical research
- media literacy
Key Concepts
bias
authenticity
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria determine a reliable biography?
- How do we balance criticism with respect?
A Different Perspective
Relies on potentially biased sources; may overlook positive evidence.
![“If we believe that he [Jesus Christ]really countenanced the follies, the falsehoods, and the charlatanisms, which his biographers [writers of the New Testament]father upon him, and admit the misconstructions, interpolations, and theorizations of the fathers of the early and the fanatics of the…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba1/thomas-jefferson-43_age_if-we-believe-that-he-jesus-christ-reall_277925.jpg)
![“If we could believe that he [Jesus] really countenanced the follies, the falsehoods, and the charlatanism which his biographers [Gospels] father on him, and admit the misconstructions, interpolations, and theorizations of the fathers of the early, and the fanatics of the latter ages, the…” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9b6/thomas-jefferson-43_christianity_if-we-could-believe-that-he-jesus-really_3065658.jpg)
![“[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)
