Here's what Jefferson actually wrote: "May [the Declaration] be to the world, what I believe it will be - to some parts sooner, to others later, but finally to all - the signal of arousing men to burst the chains under which monkish ignorance and superstition had persuaded them to bind themselves, and to assume the blessings and security of self-government."

The passage sounds unusually frank to today's ears, but it's typical of Jefferson. The author of the Declaration of Independence and our third president did not oppose religion, but he was a committed foe of blind adherence to dogma. "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear," Jefferson once wrote to his nephew.

Jefferson knew there would always be people among us who would not question any dogmatic claim with boldness. He supported the right of these people to worship freely, but he did not want them to be able to use the power of the government to force their views onto others. Hence, Jefferson was a strong advocate of the separation of church and state.

Amazingly, right-wing political operatives and their Religious Right allies have often tried to portray Jefferson as one of their fellow travelers. Those willing to do a little digging can quickly learn the truth: Jefferson left us voluminous writings, including personal letters and essays, where he outlined his views on religious freedom, the value of education, science and a host of other issues. (For more on Jefferson and religious liberty, see here.)

These documents portray a Jefferson who accepted the morality and teachings of Jesus while remaining skeptical of his divinity. They show a man well versed in history who was as comfortable reading the Bible as he was dissecting the writings of ancient Greeks. They unveil a man passionate about science who conducted his own experiments in horticulture, a deep thinker who believed many people had been led astray by religious zealots eager to boost their own power.

They show Jefferson to be everything Bush and his Religious Right crew are not: curious, open-minded and interested in reconciling faith and reason.

Jefferson stands with the advocates of separation of church and state, not the Bush gang and its Religious Right cronies. Bush's recent rewriting of Jefferson's real views is sad. The Sage of Monticello must be turning over in his grave.