Mike Johnson read some kind of supposedly inspirational prayer upon being elected House speaker, but he inappropriately tried to claim that it was written by Thomas Jefferson, the historic figure so notoriously non-religious that he actually made a version of The Holy Bible that omitted all the miracles, superstitions, and mysticism – including The Resurrection.
The Jefferson Monticello – University of Virginia in Charlottesville – Research & Education – Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia – National Prayer for Peace (Spurious Quotations) Ultimately, it seems unlikely that Jefferson would have composed or delivered a public prayer of this sort. He considered religion a private matter, and when asked to recommend a national day of fasting and prayer, replied, “I consider the government of the US. as interdicted by the constitution from intermedling with religious institutions, their doctrines, discipline, or exercises.”[3]
My letter to my representative in the House:
I would be very careful about trusting the judgement and leadership of Mike Johnson considering he entered misinformation into the public record immediately upon being elected House speaker when he tried to claim that some prayer was written by Thomas Jefferson, the historic figure so notoriously non-religious that he actually made a version of The Holy Bible that deliberately omitted all miracles and mysticism, including The Resurrection! This lapse in judgement by Speaker Johnson, and his staff in not preventing such an embarrassing gaffe for a Christian, doesn’t really inspire confidence, does it.