T Jefferson Notes

In Thomas Jefferson's Notes on the State of Virginia, he makes an interesting point regarding religious freedom, that sums up an American ideal, as well as one of the greatest conflicts to man throughout history. This battle between freedom and control is the basis of much of the conflict between people since the beginning of civilization, and still is today.

On the one hand, Thomas Jefferson mentions mentions the Quakers "were flying from persecution in England" (283). America was founded on people trying to escape persecution and reach freedom to practice religion and create laws and such as they chose. It could be argued that this was one of the main, if not the main, ideal on which America was built. Freedom. Eeven today Americans are seen trying to forced this ideal on people, such as trying to set up democracy in the Middle East. Our country was founded on people trying to be free, and that carries onto today, our countrie's slogan being "Land of the free, home of the brave."

Yet, even a country supposedly based on freedom, who had broken away from a colony (England), in search of freedom, immediately returned to the old patterns of control. The young colonies immediately established laws hindering the Quaker's freedoms such as prohibiting the unlawful assemblance of Quakers, and stopping a master of a vessel to bring a Quaker into the state. Control seems to be an unavoidable trait in humanity. Even today as we are supposedly "freeing" the Iraguis, we are using violence and force to control them.

This passage from Thomas Jefferson does an excellent job of describing an age old conflict of man, and also showing that time does little to change things. Although, our country was created on the ideal of freedom, we wasted no time in trying to control that freedom. It should be called freedom (to and extent). And even centuries later, people fall into the same pattern of advocating "freedom", but using a means of control to get there. It must be an unavoidable human trait.

Intro

My name is Brie Felnagle. I am a sophomore from Tacoma, Washington. I run track and cross country for UNC. I enjoy school a lot, even though it is far from home and I miss my family. I also enjoy English classes, so I am looking forward to this semester.

1/18/06 Post

Both Cotton Mather and Jonathan Edwards were important and influential ministers during the time they were writing. Their writings were centered around God but also were heavily influenced by the concept of light. While some of their ideas and uses of the word light were very similar, others were quite different.

Cotton Mather used a highly scientific approach to light. The first part of his essay on light spelled out Newton's scientific discoveries on the workings of light, such as the speed it travels and the way if reflects color. He explained that while these are natural laws of the universe, they were ultimately governed by God, the almighty creator. After he has explained the science of light he changes his usage of light into a metaphorical sense. He speaks of the light of God referring to the goodness and teachings of God that are present in God's word and in life. He speaks of both the scientific form of light and the metaphoric light of God as being important, but of God being the ultimate ruler of all kinds of light.

Edwards sermon does not reference the science of light. The light he speaks of is entirely centered around the idea of the divine spark or light of God in some people. He makes no mention of science or nature and even goes as far as to say that nature cannot overrule the spark of God, and almost implies that God uses nature to do his will. His usage of light is much less metaphorical than Mather's as he seems to take the divine light very literally, saying it exists and governs life and truth.

Overall, the writers are connected by their usage of the image of light. However, Mather has a much greater apprecation for nature and science, giving it more credit, although saying God ultimately governs all. His writing seems to say that nature is a major force as well as God's ultimate rule. Edwards gives less credit to the power of nature, speaking more of the divine light and power of God being special and in complete control of all things. Both writers use the concept of divine light in a sense of goodness and the word of God