Again that question about Thomas Jefferson’s relationship with Christ is raised. Was he really religious, and was he a Christian? As one of his last projects, Jefferson designed and built the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. He not only designed the buildings and the campus, he also designed the curriculum.

Here’s what he said at the cornerstone laying ceremony:

“May almighty God, without invocation to whom, no work of importance should be begun, bless this undertaking and enable us to carry it on with success—protect this College, the object of which institution, is to instill into the minds of Youth, principles of sound knowledge. To inspire them with the love of religion & virtue, and prepare them for filling the various situations in society with credit to themselves and benefit to their country.” (Founding Fathers—Uncommon Heroes, 2003, Steven W. Allen, page172.)

I wonder if they quote that passage in teaching at the University of Virginia today.