Dear President Thomas Jefferson:
I am the most joyous recipient of your letter to our Danbury Baptist Association, dated January 1, 1802. The pleasure we have received from your thoughtful correspondence knows no bounds. Mrs. Gladstone, a soprano in the choir, has been giddy for days knowing a man of your esteem would take time to address our humble congregation.
The tone of your letter might impose upon one who was not so well acquainted with your history that thou are a Religious man. I have come to believe there may be some question in this matter. My opinion founded upon a conversation with Dr. Benjamin Rush where the good Doctor explained your disparagement regarding the “Christian System.” The good Doctor went on to explain you have conceived of a manuscript yet to be penned where you rewrite The Bible. I eagerly await the inevitable publication of such a novel idea.
I write today with profound respect. You are a most wondrous man. As with all great men therein lies a blurred vision on certain matters. Often enshelved deep are failings beyond that which may be seen until it is too late to make correction.
My letter to you is cautionary with regard to a yet to come unfortunate problem, known as “rights of conscience,” which in the more common vernacular is referred to as “belief.”
For clarity & ease of understanding respective to the points I desire to impart, I offer here words from your letter for reference:
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,” thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.”
Mr. President, I fear your intentions are well-meant but woefully short of sight. Your first phrase says, “religion lies solely between Man & his God.” You may have forgotten but as Baptists we are obligated to proselytize & convert as many Men to our world view as God shall allow. We can not keep our Religion solely between Man & God. Nor shall we.
I concur when you write that we “owe account to none.” Our legion is to God. We truly envision a Baptist world & live our lives so our actions may seek God’s glory.
Your words further describe with “sovereign reverence” that the American people should regard the words chosen for part of the First Amendment as effective as “a wall of separation between Church & State.”
If I may, my kind & esteemed President, there is no wall. The wall does not exist. The wall is as imaginary as our deeply held religious beliefs. The simile is commended but the concept I do challenge.
I offer fair notice Sir, that a time shall come when our small Baptist association will be powerful, wealthy, tax-free, & command cities across the land. Our government will pray and the whole American people will bow. We shall leverage “free exercise” to our advantage. Our growth shall be swift and sure. We shall own the towns.
Here now, I make confession to you Mr. President. I trust you will not breach mine own confidence. We do not all believe this stuff. We’re like you; we use our belief when it suits our purpose as you respect our belief when it suits your purpose.
A life, a country, a town, a man who begins with a false narrative shall most always draw false conclusions. All gods are false, unless we speak of a God familiar. How selfish religion can be.
Mr. President, my letter is offered not as counsel but to express my gratitude. For your “wall” shall not be the barrier you describe, but a useful fable that shall serve to line the path through the dark woodland that leads to the enrichment of the Religious.
I too reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection & blessing of the common father & creator of man, & tender you for great & continued success with assurances of my high respect & esteem.
Ken “Theurgist” Hurley / 4 February 1802
