Christianity from founding fathers Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The metaphysical insanities of Athanasius, of Loyola, and of Calvin, are, to my understanding, mere lapses into polytheism, differing from paganism only by being more unintelligible.”
About This Quote
Jefferson critiques the theological ideas of Athanasius, Loyola, and Calvin as unintelligible deviations toward polytheism, resembling paganism in obscurity.
In simple terms: He sees their ideas as confusing forms of polytheism similar to paganism.
Key Takeaway
Questionify theological concepts.
Themes
theology
philosophy
religion
Mood
critical
skeptical
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- religious education
- interfaith dialogue
- personal belief assessment
Key Concepts
polytheism
intelligibility
skepticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we distinguish between nuanced theology and incoherence?
- Can complexity be a virtue rather than a flaw?
A Different Perspective
These views reflect Jefferson’s Enlightenment bias against complex doctrines.
![“[All religious sects] dread the advance of science as witches do the approach of daylight; and scowl on the fatal harbinger announcing the subversion of the duperies in which they live.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08c/thomas-jefferson-43_announcing_all-religious-sects-dread-the-advance-of_1053268.jpg)
![“I have recently been examining all the known superstitions of the world and do not find in our particular superstition [Christianity] one redeeming feature.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d1f/thomas-jefferson-43_atheism_i-have-recently-been-examining-all-the-k_384136.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)
