'I should have done the research': Atheist group presents billboard with Thomas Jefferson anti-Christian quote - but he NEVER said it



A California-based atheist group is red in the face after trying to send a message using one of the Founding Fathers in a billboard ad campaign.

The massive sign, put up by the group Backyard Skeptics, features an anti-Christianity message next to the face of Thomas Jefferson.

However, the quote splashed across the billboard was never actually uttered by the Declaration of Independence author.

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Misquoted: The statement splashed across this billboard by a California atheist group was never actually uttered by Thomas Jefferson

The quote reads: 'I do not find in Christianity one redeeming feature. It is founded on fables and mythology.'

Bruce Gleason, who runs Backyard Skeptics, told KABC-TV that the billboard was put up to endorse secular ideals.

Father: Thomas Jefferson, right, was the third president of the United States and the author of the Declaration of Independence

The Jefferson Library admits that it is often asked about the quote, which is most often cited as being in a letter to someone named 'Dr Wood.'

As far as the library is concerned, there has never been a correspondence between the third president of the U.S. and anyone known as Dr Wood.

When approached by an Orange County Register reporter about the error, Mr Gleason said: 'You're absolutely right.'

He added: 'I should have done the research before I put my billboard up.'

KABC-TV reported that an anonymous donor with the group put up $4,000 for the two billboards to be displayed for two weeks in Orange County.

Of the founding fathers, Thomas Jefferson was believed to be the most sceptical, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Later in his life, he put together what is known as the 'Jefferson Bible,' his own portrayal of Jesus Christ.

Mr Gleason said that even if the quote is a fake, Jefferson probably would not be upset if he saw the billboard.

He told KABC-TV: 'He'd probably say, "Yea, I kind of agree with that," because all the other quotations that he's had are in the same vein.'

Mistake: Bruce Gleason said he 'should have done the research' when this quote was chosen