Christian creeds and doctrines, the clergy's own fatal inventions, through all the ages has made of Christendom a slaughterhouse, and divided it into sects of inextinguishable hatred for one another.
Interpretation
This quote criticizes the divisive effects of religious doctrines on humanity and emphasizes the violence they can incite.
Thomas Jefferson expresses a strong disdain for organized religion, particularly the divisions and hatred that arise from Christian creeds and doctrines. He suggests that instead of promoting peace and unity, these belief systems have historically turned society into a chaotic and violent battleground, where sects of followers conflict with one another, contributing to a culture of hatred and slaughter. Jefferson's words serve as a caution against the dangers of dogma and the consequences of fanaticism.
In practice
During a discussion on the impact of religion on society, this quote could highlight the paradox of faith leading to conflict.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
βWe must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
The world is given to me only once, not one existing and one perceived. Subject and object are only one.
The will is not free - it is a phenomenon bound by cause and effect - but there is something behind the will which is free.
And we are magic talking to itself, noisy and alone. I am queen of all my sins forgotten. Am I still lost? Once I was beautiful. Now I am myself
I don't wish to be the symbol of anything. I'm only myself.
There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people.
Work is the only thing that gives substance to life.
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