Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man (Spurious Quotation)
A somewhat paraphrased quote by Thomas Jefferson.
The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (also known as "The Jefferson Bible): Title page in Jefferson handwriting; image courtesy The Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, Bering Center.
This comment on Christianity is a somewhat paraphrased excerpt from the following letter written by Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley:
"this was the real ground of all the attacks on you: those who live by mystery & charlatanerie, fearing you would render them useless by simplifying the Christian philosophy, the most sublime & benevolent, but most perverted system that ever shone on man, endeavored to crush your well earnt, & well deserved fame." - Jefferson to Priestley, March 21, 18011
Further Sources
- Adams, Dickinson W., ed. Jefferson's Extracts from the Gospels: "The Philosophy of Jesus" and "The Life and Morals of Jesus." Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1983. The introduction to this book has an excellent discussion of Jefferson's thinking on religion.
Footnotes
- PTJ, 33:393. Press copy available from the Library of Congress. Transcription available in Founders Online.