Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia

Christianity is the best friend of government (Spurious Quotation)

Find why researchers think Jefferson never wrote or said "Christianity is the best friend of Government."

A modern-day portrait of Thomas Jefferson in early 19-century attire with a speech bubble next to his head that says, "I said what?!"

Quotation: "The reason that Christianity is the best friend of Government is because Christianity is the only religion that changes the heart."

Variations:

  1. "Christianity is the best friend of government because it deals with the heart."
  2. "The reason Christianity is the best friend for government is because Christianity deals with the heart."

Sources consulted: Searching on (christianity AND "best friend of government" AND ("changes the heart" OR "deals with the heart"))

  1. Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Digital Edition
  2. Thomas Jefferson: Papers and Biographies collections in Hathi Trust Digital Library
  3. Thomas Jefferson Retirement Papers

Earliest known appearance in print: 19961

Other attributions: None known.

Comments: This quotation has not been found in any of the writings of Thomas Jefferson.

Footnotes

  1. Pentecostal Evangel 4287-4312 (July-Dec 1996): 10.