... issue, submitting in 1779 a Bill to Establish Religious Freedom. The Commonwealth of Virginia did not approve the bill until 1786.16 Though well meant, some interpreted Jefferson's call for complete religious freedom negatively. Called by critics the "enemy of all religion," Jefferson attempted to reconcile Christianity with the Enlightenment.17 Frank Lambert rightly concluded that though the "free market of religion represented freedom from religion, others ... wanted a more positive arrangement, guaranteeing freedom of religion."18 The freedom from religion merely represented a lack o...

• Word Count: 3342
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... have informed so many of his activities that close attention to the books in his library offers useful insights to students of almost any aspect of his multifaceted career. The order in which he placed his books will of course also be of interest to students of broader topics, such as the Enlightenment in America. In a wider symbolic sense, this catalog catches America ... at one of its most characteristically hopeful moments. Americans living at the end of the eigh- teenth century were infused with an exciting sense of freedom that encouraged them to experiment with ... the social and...

• Word Count: 4278
• Approx Pages: 17
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... been practiced fervently in America, as seen following the events of September the eleventh. The problem with such a union is that it elevates nationalism and demotes Christianity so as to create equality between the two. It is evident from his own words, that Washington did not necessarily revere the Christian God of the Bible. As any good Enlightenment humanist would, Washington recognized a supreme being but ... in his heart, respected the will and potential of man above all. This mentality is aptly demonstrated by ... Washington's own pen in his letter to Secretary of War, Henry Kn...

• Word Count: 3207
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... of equality amongst men, and appeal of personal freedom in how the individual chose to live their life. However he enforced a work ethic over cultural exploration; he describes a novel as a great obstacle' in the education of youth, and discouraged sending children and young adults for cultural enlightenment in Europe. So rather than freedom of expression through artistic means, as American culture today encourages ... , Jefferson referred perhaps more to varied religious practice and the pursuit of happiness through one's chosen livelihood. Freedom, to Thomas Jefferson, however ... ...

• Word Count: 3113
• Approx Pages: 12
• Grade Level: Graduate