Jefferson's Koran? Whew, at least it wasn't his Bible.

It's so wonderful that Keith Ellison, the first Muslim to be elected to Congress is going to use Thomas Jefferson's copy of the Koran, brought over from the Library of Congress, to get sworn into Congress, especially after all the silly hullabaloo about the whole Koran thing.

At least they aren't using Jefferson's Bible.



Most of you probably know that Thomas Jefferson put together his own version of the gospels, with all the supernatural stuff cut out, and the stories of Jesus arranged in what he perceived to be chronological order. He did this, in his own words, by "cutting verse by verse out of the printed book, and arranging the matter which is evidently his [belonging to Jesus] and which is as easily distinguished as diamonds in a dunghill."

I think Jefferson would think Pat Robertson, James Dobson, and Jerry Falwell and company were full of dunghill.

Didja know Jefferson thought the Christian Church's belief in the trinity was, in a word, nuts?

Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be distinct before reason can act upon them; and no man ever had a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the mere Abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus.

Hey, at least that Muslim guy isn't using a Bible removed of dung. That wouldn't be Christian(ist).


Jefferson quotes are from this excellent academic paper. H/T to ma hunnie Sandy at the Aristocrats for finding the Koran story first. xoxo

Crossposted at the Dark Lord's Place.

To file under "more fodder for the fundys": Kos commenters are apparently four times more likely to prefer being sworn into Congress holding a vinyl LP of Frank Zappa's Hot Rats than holding a copy of their grandmother's Bible. See the poll at the bottom of the diary.

I'd appreciate any recommenders. Thanks.