Jefferson’s commentary on religion in Notes on the State of Virginia seems very ahead of its time for someone of his day and age. In contrast to the writings of Mather and Edwards, he does not glorify his faith and force in onto others. Instead, he reasons why it makes no sense to condemn the practice of other religions. His logic is simple and true, as he says, “it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god.” This brief statement is arguably the most basic argument against any form of censorship or regulation – if it doesn’t hurt anybody, don’t stop it. He states this belief again, saying that “The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others.”

This idea is usually credited to English philosopher John Stuart Mills who said “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant.” Surprisingly, he was not born until 30 years after Notes. Thus, it may seem proper to recognize that he was not the pioneer of this idea. Instead, Jefferson had been using this logic prior.

However, although Jefferson legitimatized this idea with regard to religion, it seems quite hypocritical and ignorant that he did not realize its implications on slavery. It is obvious that slavery is harmful to someone, so why did he not fully condemn this act? The answer is obviously because he put blacks on level below whites; he believed he had proof because they were “in reason much inferior.” Yet, if Jefferson is to be considered such a great thinker, he should have found this fault. Although he may be ahead of his time in realizing the problems with religious laws, he was definitely not a ground breaking thinker in racial equality. With regards to other races, he fell in line with any common white man in Virginia in 1776.