ADVICE

Thomas Jefferson was a statesman, a farmer, a lawyer, a diplomat, an architect, and a philosopher.  He was a writer of the Declaration of Independence, organizer of the Louisiana Purchase, the first Secretary of State, a President of the United States after being the Vice President.  He was one of our Founding Fathers.  

The Jefferson Memorial stands in his honor in Washington D.C.  It is a large structure made of marble and limestone with a statue of his likeness in the center of the interior.  The four sides of the domed and pillared monument have quotations and excerpts of his writings carved into them.  Along the facing under the dome is carved this special quotation: 

"I have sworn on the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of a man."

Do you get it?  Jefferson was decrying anything that subverts our minds, makes us believe lies, leads us astray the truth.  It was a solemn feeling for him.  

He advocated all the freedoms he wrote into the 'Declaration' and admired in the Constitution but more than that, he wanted everyone to have an independent mind.  Free to make one's own choices.  Free to make well-informed decisions.

He wrote this two centuries ago but it is current today.  It would be aimed at today's press and media or at today's educators or at those who monopolize the internet - all these and more.  

I say, resist their control as best you can.  Guard your children.  Educate and re-educate yourself.  Challenge your own beliefs.  Pray for our country and the world.