Our Crazy (and Vital) Baptist History, Part 4
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Thomas Jefferson and Religious Liberty
Thomas Jefferson began his presidency in March of 1801. In October of that year, a group of Baptists from the Danbury Baptist Association in Connecticut wrote him a letter.
They had continued to be concerned, as had their New England Baptist predecessors in Isaac Backus and John Leland, that discrimination, taunts, and even persecution continued to plague them.
They here express concern to the president, particularly regarding the equivalent of religious tests for social legitimacy. They say:
… that Religion is considered as the first object of Legislation, and therefore what religious privileges we enjoy … we enjoy as favors granted, and not as inalienable rights. And these favors we receive at the expense of such degrading acknowledgments, as are inconsistent with the rights of freemen.
Giving thanks to Jefferson’s service to the country already, the letter goes on to request his further attention to what they call “religious liberty.” Their desire is to secure support for minority views along with the personal, spiritual freedom to hold one’s faith as each believes to be good and right.
From the date on Jefferson’s response, it appears that one of the first actions he undertakes in the new year of 1802, is to respond to this critical concern expressed by these Baptists from Connecticut. The following is the president’s reply on January 1, 1802:
Messrs. Nehemiah Dodge, Ephraim Robbins, and Stephen S. Nelson, A Committee of the Danbury Baptist Association, in the State of Connecticut.
Gentlemen,--The affectionate sentiment of esteem and approbation which you are so good as to express towards me, on behalf of the Danbury Baptist Association, give me the highest satisfaction.
My duties dictate a faithful and zealous pursuit of the interests of my constituents, and in proportion as they are persuaded of my fidelity to those duties, the discharge of them becomes more and more pleasing.
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between a man and his God, that he owes account to none other for … faith or … worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature would "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof," thus building a wall of separation between Church and State. Adhering to this expression of the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of those sentiments which tend to restore to man people all his natural rights … convinced he has no natural right in opposition to his social duties. I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Creator … and tender you for yourselves and your religious association, assurances of my high respect and esteem.
T. Jeff., 1/1/1802
A Wall of Separation
First of all, Mr. Jefferson’s attention to this tiny group from a minority sect in a small, distant state is quite significant. But notice further the part of his letter I have bolded.
Many have noted over the years the words “Separation of Church and State” or a “wall of separation” never appear in our Constitution. While this is true, the concept is clearly presented in the First Amendment which Jefferson quotes.
“The separation of church and state is one of the greatest gifts our nation has offered to the world. ”
However, the wording “wall of separation between Church and State” is explicitly stated here by the president.
In other words, the very terminology we take for granted and which most Americans understand to be the bedrock of American principles comes for the first time from Jefferson’s letter addressing a concern raised by Baptists.
Baptists and the Pursuit of Religious Liberty
As we learned earlier, it was John Leland’s Baptist influence on James Madison in Virginia that originally prompted the prioritized placement of religious liberty as the first statement of the Bill of Rights as the First Amendment to the Constitution.
And it was Roger Williams and John Clarke who formed the basis for the earliest colonial charters providing the protection and religious freedom which coming generations would blithely take for granted.
Now we see Jefferson’s full support of this Baptist concept. But here, on the first day of 1802, Jefferson substantiates the concept with his wholly appropriate wall image.
This vision forever arouses sympathetic imaginations of caring, responsible people. Our positive Baptist influence on this one issue offers vital guidance to governments of every kind, and it provides hope for people in all places.
Thanks to our early Baptist ancestors struggling mightily against the terrible difficulties of their times, we are the glad beneficiaries.
Separation of Church and State Today
Today, both in our land and across the globe, men and women know that their personal views and private spirituality should always be respected and protected.
We fall short. We struggle with interpretation. We argue about what was meant by the writers of the Constitution and what it all might mean today. And our world continues to wrestle against this basic Baptist concept of trusting God’s inspiration to the personal experience and interpretation of each individual.
Yet as my good friend, James Dunn of the Baptist Joint Committee used to say: the separation of church and state is one of the greatest gifts our nation has offered to the world. And this gift began thanks to the tireless, relentless courage of early Baptist believers on these shores.
As with democracy itself, we must be vigilant protectors. And let us remain thankful for those who have blazed the trails we now travel.
For though we often forge ahead with little thought of their prophetic stances, may we remember better and continue to learn more thoroughly of how gladly we benefit from their bold sacrifice and brave forbearance.
Read more
What Does It Mean to Be Baptist?
Our Crazy (and Vital) Baptist History, Part 1
Our Crazy (and Vital) Baptist History, Part 2
Our Crazy (and Vital) Baptist History, Part 3
David Jordan, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Decatur