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May 4, 2005
Thomas Jefferson Pseudepigrapha
I've been trying to find anything that might be the basis of Pat Robertson's reference to Thomas Jefferson as explicitly rejecting atheists on his cabinet. I can find nothing. All evidence points in exactly the opposite direction. However, it appears that Robertson's seeming pseudo-citation is now being adopted within the right wing canon of proof texts.
In the usual contrived 'argument' that the First Amendment may not apply to "blasphemy, and professed atheism," Michael J. Gaynor writes in "Good Americans" And Religion for MichNews.com, May 2nd,
Thomas Jefferson, whose "wall" between church and state was transformed into official neutrality between religion and irreligion, would not have atheists in his Cabinet when he was President.
This comes one day after Robertson's insane interview. Perhaps Robertson and Gaynor got this from a common source. If so, I sure can't find it. My worry is that this supposed statement will become an integral part of the Jefferson pseudepigrapha used by the right as if it had the authority of being Jefferson's true opinion.
I am still open to anyone who can tell me where this cames from.
Posted by Duane Smith at May 4, 2005 1:00 PM | Read more on Current Events |
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