Since this quote has not shown up before, I am compelled to mention it now.

From John F. Kennedy's address at a White House dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners in 1962:

"I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

My understanding is that Jefferson was a friend to religion if not a conventional believer. He was opposed to "state religions" that had existed in Europe and open to the freedom of religious groups to worship without government interference. He was certainly opposed to religious groups imposing their will and beliefs on others by gaining favorable government status or any other means. In Virginia, prior to the Revolution, the Anglican Church received support from the state and was allowed to tax all citizens. Jefferson was instrumental in ending that practice. On the other hand he authored a state statute supporting religious freedom; a document he considered one of his greatest achievements. As one who is guided by Christian belief, I am thankful for Thomas Jefferson's imprint on the governing documents of the USA. I can also understand to a degree Jefferson's dilemma with slavery. While he could see the injustice of the institution, he could also understand the way slavery was ingrained in the economy of the south. He probably could not envision a way to eliminate slavery without destroying the agricultural system of the south. Somewhere I read that Jefferson believed a culture based around agriculture was superior to culture based upon industrialization.

Jefferson and Adams were bitter political enemies during their active years in politics. Jefferson defeated Adams in the presidential election when Adams was running for his second term. An aside here; Adams was advised that his best chance for re-election was for the country to be at war. Adams was more concerned about the welfare of his country than re-election. However, they later engaged in an active correspondence which revealed an immense respect. Both died on the same day; July 4 on the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.