The religious views of thomas jefferson diverged widely from the traditional christianity of his era throughout his life jefferson was intensely interested in theology religious studies and morality jefferson was most comfortable with deism rational religion theistic rationalism and unitarianism. Thomas jeffersons religious beliefs have long been a subject of public discussion and were a critical topic in several of his important political campaigns as he was viciously and unfairly attacked for alleged atheism jefferson took the issue of religion very seriously. Sanfords book also shows the contradictions and complexities of jeffersons beliefs that he loved jesuss teachings even while doubting his divinity that jefferson attacked immaterialism in religion while believing in the afterlife and that he contributed to and regularly attended churches while blasting the corruptions of the church and clergy on the christian faith. In this new study we have a comprehensive account of jeffersons religious thought one that provides information about his beliefs and practices that will help remove any misconceptions about his religious life jefferson has long been recognized as a creative thinker ahead of his time as this book makes clear he was deeply interested in religious questions that the passing years have made