I wasn’t aware the “You Can Play” project had anything to do with gay marriage. While I disagree with Thomas both politically and personally, I think it’s unfair to him to imply that by not supporting gay marriage, he would also not support a gay teammate — which is the point of YCP. He never said that. Whether a gay teammate would want to play with a guy that doesn’t want him to have equal right is a different story.

It’s also kind of surprising that Thomas — who I thought was a libertarian, based on his previous statements — would take an anti-gay marriage stance. The major US Libertarian parties actually support gay marriage from an equal-rights perspective. 

it’s not an anti-gay marriage stance, it’s a freedom of opinion stance. 

I think I’d tend to agree with you, if Thomas said that. But the thing he posted, which is the only evidence I have, references being “unapologetically in favor of traditional marriage,” the “biblical definition of a family unit,” the “redefinition of marriage” and “what constitutes a marriage.” I think if Thomas said something to the effect of “I think Chick-Fil-A’s owner has a right to his beliefs, and his ability to do business in a free market shouldn’t be persecuted because of those beliefs” then I’d agree with tour freedom-of-opinion stance. But here, I think Thomas is saying that he, like Chick-Fil-A’s owner, believes marriage is between a man and a woman and he does not want to see law changes that effect that definition.

If Jesus was standing on the side of you would you support Gay Marriage?  Maybe you would but I really don’t think so.  The world we live in is just that THE WORLD.  Read your bible and than you may not be in favor of Gay Marriage.  Oh that’s right everyone has rights.  True but we al have to answer for what we do on this earth.  

You are an idiot. Enough said.

Oh thats right I have an opinion!!  Just doesn’t agree with yours.  Sorry Bro.  Christians can’t have an opinion I forgot.  What a bunch of hypocrites.  

Oh Enough said!!

Christians can have an opiniom. But so can Hindus, Protestants, Jews, Pagans, Atheists, and anyone else who may or may not identify with a religion. We live in a country that supports freedom of religion, and yet it’s ONE religion that seems to rule us all. We live in a country where there is supposed to be a separation of church and state, but ONE religion continuously sticks it’s nose into state affairs. If you, as a Christian, are allowed to have an opinion then I, whatever religion I may identify with and who happens to be the successful daughter of two lesbians, have a right to my own and your opinion SHOULD NOT affect how I or my loved ones choose to love. If Tim Thomas supports Chik-fil-a, fine. He’ll lose a lot of respect, personally. That doesn’t take away from his amazing career, achievements, or what he’s done for the Bruins. Do not lecture the world on how Christians “can’t have an opinion” when you belong to a religion who believes their opinion is the only one that matters.

What does “You Can Play” have ANYTHING to do with someone’s personal opinion about gay marriage?
You people are idiots.

I know a gay man named Jesus, thats ironic. Christians that try shoving religion into everything is hypocritical. Read your own bible and believe every word of the fiction or you will burn

The most amusing part is that Tim Thomas thinks anyone cares what his beliefs are on this subject. Talk about an ego. No wonder this guy never got a shot until in his 30s. Not such a feelgood story now since his true colors have come out.

 Thank god someone still believes in freedom of speech.

I don’t agree but its a free country and Facebook has a delete button if you don’t like it don’t friend him. Important part of all of this is freedom of speech.

That’s Tim Thomas’ decision. I can’t stand how the liberal losers love freedom of expression unless they disagree with it. What Hypocrites!!!! I totally agree with Tim and Chick-fil-A. Liberals can kiss my you know what.

because he doesnt tote the liberal loser line? you are an idiot

and your article flies in the face of all kinds of freedoms that we are supposed to be allowed to have in this country

oh wait I forgot you are allowed to believe in anything you want… freedom of religion, but if you believe in the bible forget it you will be harassed and ridiculed and mistreated. tolerance means we tolerate anything but the bible believers. you HYPOCRITS

I can’t believe people are so sensitive about a stupid fb post. Our society is insane. Who cares what Thomas thinks. Btw thanks for the cup

Do you like soup?

I liek more dumb coment pls

Oh you poor, persecuted Christians!  When will the madness stop?!?  When will you finally be allowed to practice your religion out in the open?

Get over yourselves.  No one has denied anyone their right to free speech.  But there’s no right to not be called out on your BS if people don’t agree with you.  I couldn’t care less how Tim Thomas feels about the issue, nor Dan Cathy, for that matter.

Bye, Timmy. Thanks for the one great season.

What matters is that he’s made his viewpoint very clear.  He doesn’t support equal rights for everyone.  He supports “privatized” bigotry.  That is his God-given and Constitutional right.  But it doesn’t mean that I’m not entitled to disparage him for it, just like it was my right to oppose and fight against racists. He’s just the next permutation of idiocy.  He and those of his ilk are headed for the dustbin of history, and I’m happy to give each of them a nice fat push toward their destiny.

To the author:

You sir, are an idiot. What does a position on gay marriage have to do with “encouraging a safe environment for a homosexual NHL player to come out to the league?”

It is shallow writers such as you, who somehow conflate supporting traditional marriage with hatred toward gays.

Please stick to hockey; you obviously have a hard time with more complex issues.

Stupid is as stupid posts.

Weei is really becoming a joke this is sports news and worthy of a story. After giving up on the broadcasts during the day its time to find another website for new england sports this is just crap ,grow and stop being tmz.

If Thomas were a liberal you would’t see ANY stories about his facebook postings.
Classic example of liberal media agenda.
They’re all upset because TT doesn’t buy in to their leftie politics.
Go Timmy!!!! 

I always thought Thomas was a closet case (nothing wrong with this) and still do. He must be so torn between his bible and his true nature. My man should just come out and come back to the bruins so he can be a fabulous goalie for us

you can have your opinions- but what you fail to come to terms with is your opinion is just that- yours. so if you don’t believe in gay marrage then you should not marry a gay person- now some other people in the community believe that gay marrage is ok- so they are free to marry gay people. It’s amazing what happens when you respect everyone’s rights to their own opinions

And if Jesus was on the side of me the last thing I would want to talk to him about is gay marrage- that walking on water thing would come up way earlier in the conversation, that sh$t is cool!

How does coming out against gay marriage in anyway fly in the face of “You Can Play”? Why must someone who opposes this be characterized as a homophobe, just as people opposed to Obama’s policies are called racist? By doing so, you water down true homophobia.

Here’s a thought, why don’t you stick to reporting about the game of hockey and leave the politics out of it! I’m so sick of hearing about this on my sports page. If you want to report on a players political views, save it for another venue D-bag!

Thank you for finally spelling that correctly!

Plus I would want to ask Jesus if he knows who will win the next World Series, Super Bowl, etc so I can get some bets placed.

Tim Thomas is all about freedom, so long as you are heterosexual. Stop with the opinion entitlement crap – such a cop out. Being anti-gay marriage or pro “traditional” family is nothing more than bourgeois bigotry at its finest.

The most humorous part of this whole story has to be that there’s a serious religious and social debate happening centered on the opening of a fast food chain! hahaha

The most humorous part of this whole story has to be that there’s a serious religious and social debate happening centered on the opening of a fast food chain! hahaha

 Bourgeois is a myth, and after Jerry Sandusky who is anyone to stand up for any level of perversion?

So typical how the right loves to pretend they are the victim when they are called out for their foolishness.  It’s ok for Thomas to speak out for his support but not ok for those who disagree with Chick-fil-a.  When opponents do it, it’s oppression, anti-free speech etc. when in reality Chick-fil-a and now Thomas (once again) brings this on themselves.  What to know what the right wing is doing?  Just read what they are acquising the left of doing.  So much of this hatred directed at others is really fear of what they might find in themselves.  

There is nothing wrong with gay marriage, it’s just two
people that are living together as companions and they want the same rights,
opportunities and privileges as a traditional (man and woman) marriage would
get. Chick-fil-A and Tim Thomas can say whatever they want about the subject
but it doesn’t make it right or acceptable. In fact, it is disgusting that
people of the Christian faith who are supposed to love everybody for who and
what they are would feel so strongly of a population of people that is
continually growing. The “You Can Play” project has everything to do with gay
marriage, it’s along the same lines of letting people, no matter their sexual
preference, have equal opportunity without being judged and looked down upon by
the straight population.

There is nothing wrong with gay marriage, it’s just two
people that are living together as companions and they want the same rights,
opportunities and privileges as a traditional (man and woman) marriage would
get. Chick-fil-A and Tim Thomas can say whatever they want about the subject
but it doesn’t make it right or acceptable. In fact, it is disgusting that
people of the Christian faith who are supposed to love everybody for who and
what they are would feel so strongly of a population of people that is
continually growing. The “You Can Play” project has everything to do with gay
marriage, it’s along the same lines of letting people, no matter their sexual
preference, have equal opportunity without being judged and looked down upon by
the straight population.

Interesting adaptation of metaphor, Steve.  I imagine Trotsky would approve.  But I doubt your assessment is accurate.  Christian religions are too pervasive to be easily swept away; at least not until there is something that satisfies the same human needs clearly ready to step in and fill the void.  Science and humanist philosophy aren’t up to that task yet.  Sometime in the future, although perhaps not in your lifetime or mine, the chaos and lack of meaningful spiritual value in our modern society will call out for something more ordered and secure.  Christian faith will be there, as it has been on at least two other occasions in history (or many more, if you view local and regional social phenomena), to meet the needs of a frightened and disoriented population.  While you may be hopeful, it’s likely much too soon to be writing the obituary.

As for Thomas, I wasn’t aware that opposition to gay marriage deprived anyone of their rights.  There is no “right” to marry.  That’s a religious concept.  It would probably have been best if government had kept their nose out of the whole marriage business, offering recognition (and associated legal protections) to all adult couples- same and opposite sex- who want their relationships publically and legally acknowledged, perhaps with the “civil union” label we once used here in Vermont.

Finally, if the discussion ever gets slow here on these comment boards, you’ll have to fill us in on your fights against racists.  That might make for some intense and exciting reading.

There’s nothing wrong with a gay couple living together in a committed relationship, Uqhopkins.  They are entitled to the same protections under the law as a heterosexual couple living together in a committed relationship.  But I’m a little uncomfortable with the idea of applying the “marriage” label- historically a religious label for the union of a man and woman- to all committed relationships. 

I don’t speak with any personal axe to grind.  I’m not married, have never been married, and don’t ever plan on being married.  But I can understand how ‘traditional’ married people might feel like something is being taken from them when a label that has been in their domain for centuries is legally expropriated and applied to other situations. 

Many of us a rightly sensitive to the needs of homosexual couples to feel safe and included in our society.  We should be equally sensitive to the needs of others who feel like their proud status is being taken or diminished.  As I remarked in my post above, it would have been much less disruptive if government had decided to recognize all committed adult relationships with legal status and protections under a different label.  It wouldn’t have cost anyone anything to let men and women, whose union is recognized by their religion, keep the “marriage” label, while offering legal status and protection to all committed adult relationships under some other name.

He’s a dumb jock…who cares what he says?

First off, the reason we can have so many
“religious opinions” in this country occupied by ~ 85% who identify
as Christian (Protestants are Christians BTW) is because of (not in spite of)
the fact that it was founded by Christians on Christian morals and values. Try
educating yourself by reading the Declaration of Independence and the
Bill of Rights /Constitution…it’s all based on the Bible…not the Koran or
some secular moral code.
Secondly, please let me know when you come across the phrase “Separation
of Church and State” in any of those documents because it will be news
worthy since it’s not there. The intent was to simply insure the Fed Gov would not adopt a particular church or religion as was done in
England, and/or impose it’s own secular morals on the people as the current
administration is now doing with HHS mandate. So it’s the opposite; the state sticking it’s nose into church affairs. For 2012 years people like you have contradicted
the Bible /Word of God and tried to silence courageous Christians like
Tim Thomas from speaking it as Christ himself commissioned them to do. Get this,they are
not speaking on their own behalf…it’s not their opinion vs yours; it’s the Word
of God and therefore the truth on the subject and the truth is all that matters. The problem you all have had is with the truth,
because by its very definition, truth is exclusive. So yes…there can be many
opinions…but there can only be one truth. And there is only one biblically
authorized interpreter of that truth…the church. Not Tim Thomas and not you and
me. Many people don’t like either because they want to bend the truth to accommodate
their lifestyle, many Christians included. Ask yourself this…what are the chances 2012 later that you
are right in your beliefs and Jesus, who said “I ‘am the way and the truth
and the life”, is wrong.  I don’t think Vegas would give you very good odds on either.
As a fellow sinner…I’ll pray you figure it out.  

You know the Bible was written by men right ? You know it was also edited by men, around 408 A.C. So let’s be clear : even if God exist and know all the answers, there is no way to be sure that the message has not been corrupted along the way by the people who receive it. In fact, it is even more likely that the message has been tweaked to fit the ideals of men who lived about 2000 years ago. So stop saying the Bible possess the truth. The Bible is a book written by men 2000 years ago

Dear commenters of this article,  YOU”RE ALL AS RIDICULOUS AS THOMAS. We live in the 21st century people, ONE religion is not the way the world is run anymore. Too many believers of too many religions have shifted the constitution and the way of rights. EVERYONE has a right to live their lives and be who they want to be and be with. If a man and a man or a women and a women want to be married, it is their right. Just as it is for a man and a women to be married. Stop being so one minded and start living in the now. The world would be such a better place if we all accepted people for who they are not what religion they believe in.

Why do you self-proclaimed “Christians” always scream persecution? YOU ARE THE MAJORITY IN THIS COUNTRY. What a bunch of idiots.

“You Can Play” is a movement to promote awareness and acceptance of gay athletes. By stating a personal opinion against gay marriage, Thomas has implied that he is also against equal rights for gays. And if he is against equal rights for gays, it is logical that he would not accept a gay teammate. If you have not made that logical leap, you are the idiot.

The Chick-Fil-A president has every right to express his opinion. As does Tim Thomas. Accordingly, I have the right to think they are both wrong, and say so.

And, sorry, I don’t know what you want liberals to kiss.

*He* is an idiot? You seem to be the one misusing a very common expression. Idiot.

Once again, I would like to remind you vocal “Christians” that you are the majority in this country. Please stop trying to make others believe that you are being persecuted for your beliefs.

if you read my previous comments you will know that I am not against Gay Marriage, but I also don’t think because he is against gay marriage he is against gay people or wouldn’t accept a gay teammate- I don’t tthink the 2 agruements are the same- some people have no problem with gay people but would rather see their legal relationship refered to as a civil union.

I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you couldn’t have an opinion anymore.  We are quickly becoming a “you can have your own opinion, so long as it’s in line with mine” country.  Scary stuff.

If Jesus was standing beside you would he support Gay Rights? My Jesus would. Have you changed at all in the last 20 years of your life? Obviously the answer is yes. I think it is safe to assume Jesus has changed in 2000 years. You are quoting crap written too many years ago. When he returns and gives us an updated Bible 2.0 you just may be suprised what you will find.

I do not think freedom to Discriminate is a protected Freedom. Funny thing is if these were Muslims saying anything so high profile it would be OK to condem them for their belief. If you truly supported freedom amongst EVERYONE including your own freedom to religion then you would agree gay NON Christians and Muslims should be allowed to be married. If they do not belong to a faith that condems it, then it would be their Freedom to partake in marriage. Just because your religion does not condone it, does not give you the right to push it upon others.

Psycho. The bible is a book of stories, full of fact, fiction, metaphor and lessons. To take it literally and say that if you read it you will not be in favour of Gay Marriage is absurd. Also, if Jesus was standing on my side he wouldn’t have a lot to say because he died 2000 years ago. I believe he was a great man, but I don’t believe that he’s coming back to make all the gay husbands and lesbian wives pay for their injustice and arrogance. I mean the audacity of these gay people being in love with eachother. I can’t believe it…

I’m in support of people loving eachother and living their lives. Gay, straight, bi, whatever. Just as long as you’re happy and not hurting anyone else. Funny how Christians always preach about forgiveness and righteousness and they’re always the first to throw the stone. To live in fear is to not live at all.

This is not about opinions or religious beliefs. The reason that Chick-fil-a’s stance (and by proxt Tim Thomas’s) is so offensive is that they donate millions of dollars every year to fund ballot initiatives and propaganda campaigns that seek to limit the civil rights of homosexual citizens. It is the definition of discrimination and bigotry. It wouldn’t be a freedom of speech issue if I campaigned to take the vote away from baptists. It isn’t a free speech issue when you try to take away the rights of a minority group. It’s persecution.

Protestants are Christians, last I checked. 

Says the person who watched hockey starting exactly a year and two months ago.

Thomas wouldn’t be saying these comments if he was a liberal, brilliant bit of thinking there, ma’am.

You.  You posted on this thread and joined the discussion.

Incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state_in_the_United_States

If you’re gay then fine be gay. But a marriage is the union of 2 individuals that can reproduce. If you want to be gay and live with each other you don’t need any piece of paper and you forfeit any benefits a married couple have. And I don’t think this is prejudice but if some scholar thinks it is I’m okay with that too because that’s not how I feel. And I’m more concerned with how I feel than how others intepret my beliefs.

Jesus was not a homosexual. Sorry, bro. If you read the Bible, he was absolutely against it and warned people if they partook in homosexual activities and didn’t repent and mourn for their sins, they’d wind up in Hell.

Thomas is a nutbar who i am sure will not be missed in the dressing room. He may be a good goalie but i really think the baggage that comes with him is not worth the trouble. now the bruins can stick to hockey and not have to answer for this wingnut.
GO HABS GO!!

You raise some very good points. Let’s answer
them logically using your “assuming there is a God” approach and further assume
-as the Bible tells us- that He is a Spirit not constrained by anything. So He
revealed Himself and his plan for our salvation (i.e. Revelation) in 6 phases
that included speaking directly (e.g. Abraham,Moses) and through the prophets
prior to birth of Christ whose death marked the end of Revelation and the fulfillment
of prophecy. Is it logical that God would after all that, then let some
fallible men write His Sacred Word without any guidance from His Holy Spirit as
to what He wanted written; and then have His son commission the Apostles to go
teach that to the world ??? God Himself therefore is the author of all
Scripture inspiring the men who wrote it in truth, because God is truth. You
are incorrect to state that the Bible was “edited” around 408 AD. The Bible is
the most researched book in history and the discovery/existence of original
writings collaborates the accuracy/consistency over the ages of it’s content.
The men you are accusing of “tweaking” the Bible 2000 years ago would be 6 of
the Apostles and 2 immediate disciples of Jesus since they are the 8 co-authors
of the New Testament. They each wrote their own books in the 2nd
half of the 1st century, putting into writing what Jesus Himself
taught them. In 382 after the Roman persecution ended, the Catholic Church was
then free to consolidate (not edit) these books into the New Testament, which
were being used in different churches throughout Christendom. Any books not
directly attributable to Apostolic teaching (i.e. tweaked) were not allowed by
the Magisterium/teaching authority of the Church. You are absolutely correct
when you say the message has been corrupted along the way, but not by the men
who wrote it 2000 years ago. That truth has been taught by one Church without
error or change through an unbroken apostolic tradition since. The tweaking
started in 1,500 years later and now you have ~ 40,000 different denominations
of Christianity who all believe fervently that they are interpreting God’s Word
correctly in order to fit their ideals/lifestyles. The only problem they have
is that they have no Biblical authority to do so and so you have confusion and
chaos with His Message. Do you logically think God is the author of that
confusion ??? One God…one truth…one authority to interpret it.

So King James didn’t revise this book at all? Also, why were SOME books chosen to be included and others not? Why wasn’t the book of Judas Iscariot included? He wrote one…

Not the point.  Stop shoving your bible in our face !  I believe in Jesus too, I just have more respect for myself and my religion than to weild it like a knife against others, just because they don’t believe what I believe.  Turn down your righteous indignation.  You damn rightwingers think Jesus belongs to you !  Or what ever version of religion suits Exxon, the NRA or the nazi-tea party.  You are hatemongers wrapped in religion – makes me sick.   

Interesting attempt at the propagation of Christian hegemony, but it isn’t valid.  I’ll skip the debate about religion for now.

Marriage between two loving adults is an unalienable right. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that
among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”  Authored by Thomas Jefferson, a Deist, not a Christian.  No one has any right to impose their morals, religious or otherwise, upon two loving adults to prevent their pursuit of happiness.  See, generally, Lawrence v. Texas, 539 U.S. 558 (2003).

Marriage may have originated as a religious concept, but that association has long since died in the meaningful sense.  From the time of the 16th century, the marriage concept took on true legal meaning when Nation-States began adopting “LAWS” regarding the regulation of, as well as recognition of marriage and attaching thereto legal rights. Rights affecting legal title to property, disposition/passage of estates, authorities to act on behalf of another, rights to benefits and pay earned, etc., were all affected thereby and marriage died as a religious concept, but rather became a substantive civil legal concept, as it stands today.

As the Federal courts have universally expounded in finding the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, with rulings issued by numerous Republican appointees, this nation is not a nation of “separate but equal.”  Civil unions are not “equal” to marriage, even when they purport to bestow the same rights as marriage.  Federal law does not recognize them as equal or bestow the same rights and privileges to each.  Hell, partners in a civil union can’t even file a joint federal tax return together.  And even if the concepts were equal in every way except name, it would still be unconstitutional to attach one name to it for gays and another for heterosexuals.  This is commanded by the “equal protection of the laws” to which each American is constitutionally entitled.

Mere opposition to gay marriage is one thing.  I have no problem with one who merely philosophically opposes gay marriage as a purely private matter.  But advocating for the passage of laws against gay marriage is an entirely different matter.  That is an attempt to institutionalize personal bigotry, just as racism was in our nation’s sad history.  Thomas says he supports Chick-fil-A and the Cary family.  The Cary family spends millions of dollars out of the profits of Chick-fil-A to lobby for the passage of laws that attempt to outlaw gay marriage.  That is not a mere privately held belief, but rather an attempt to institutionalize their own moral code in detriment to the pursuit of happiness of others.  The rights of Thomas and the Cary family stop when they move beyond having a viewpoint and instead attempt to make their viewpoint the “law.” Its their attempt to impose their moral view on others that makes them vicious bigots, rightly subject to scorn and to vehement opposition.

Some boring day, I will regale you with my history.

The King James Bible is merely a
translation from Greek to English in the 1600’s overseen by reputable church
authority…Anglican I believe. Any “editing” could be easily proved by
cross-referencing it to the original Greek/Hebrew manuscripts and I have never
heard of any such claims against that version. Only minor spelling and grammar changes
since then… the 1611 version is probably the best if this concerns you.

Please don’t believe everything you read in the
papers or what’s on TV because they are in the business of ratings/money making
The National Geographic promotion of the “Gospel of Judas”
manuscript as an authentic early Christian document is widely recognized as an
unscholarly attempt to discredit Christianity which doesn’t stand up to
scientific muster (carbon dated to late 2nd century at the earliest)
or logic (It would be a pretty good trick for Judas to have written this since
he hung himself the day of the Christ’s crucifixion). The “Gospel of
Judas” reflects Gnostic polytheistic teaching, which is why it was labeled
as heretical by early church leaders. Gnostics were one of the early splinter
groups that tried to highjack true Christianity. As stated previously, if it
could not be traced directly to the Apostles themselves it was not included in
the bible. 

not a bruins fan but a lot of respect for M Tim Thomas as a hockey player and a man. in the world we live in it’s the end of the world if you say anything bad about gay’s calling a dude a negger is ok but the gays ……already said to much don’t want to get killed by the gay mafia!!

That is a baseless revisionist view of
Jefferson that the ACLU and others have adopted in order to create this hoax
that he was a deist. By the historical record and the very definition of deism
it is however factually wrong. Deism is a religious philosophy that centrally holds
that there is no need for organized religion.

The Library of Congress shows that while in
office Jefferson faithfully attended church services with evangelical preaching
during his two terms in the House of Representatives. Those services were held
in the largest 19th century church in Washington DC… the Rotunda of
the Capitol Building up until the 1880’s. One account by James H. Hutson of the
Library of Congress recounts Jefferson riding a horse through a thunderstorm to
get to the services and his explanation to a friend for doing so as follows: “Sir,
no government can flourish without religion and I’m going to give religion the
sanction of my appearance, supporting and attending church services”.

As head of the executive branch, our 3rd
President permitted church services in the government office buildings, the war
office and the treasury building…in which there are accounts of a 4 hour
communion service held there during his administration conducted by
Presbyterian minister James Lowry. Hardly the actions and words of a man who
did not value or recognize the value of organized religion to a society or
government.

While it would be fair to say from the
historical documents he may have questioned the supernatural accounts of
miracles in the bible he revered the moral teachings of Jesus…even going to the
extent of Extracting passages from the account of His life from the
doctrines given by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; as an Abridgement of the New
Testament. He did this for his own personal use and later as an uncomplicated
means of educating/evangelizing the native American Indians. The title of
original1804 was, The Philosophy of Jesus of Nazareth The Life and he later
produced a second edition titled Morals of Jesus of Nazareth.

He enthusiastically described his idea it in a
letter to John Adams, one of the most devout Christians of the dated 13 October
1813:

We must reduce our volume to the simple
evangelists, select, even from them, the very words only of Jesus, paring off
the amphibologisms into which they have been led, by forgetting often, or not
understanding, what had fallen from him, by giving their own misconceptions as
his dicta, and expressing unintelligibly for others what they had not
understood themselves. There will be found remaining the most sublime and
benevolent code of morals, which has ever been offered to man. I have performed
this operation for my own use, by cutting verse by verse out of the printed
book, and arranging the matter which is evidently his, and which is as easily
distinguishable as diamonds in a dunghill. The result is an octavo of forty-six
pages, of pure and unsophisticated doctrines.

So let’s add it up. Jefferson valued organized
religion and faithfully attended church services; he personally believed in and
lived by the morals of Jesus as accounted for in the bible; and he wrote books
on it in order to evangelize the native American Indians. So much for Jefferson
the deist.

Some boring day I will address the gay marriage
issue.