Final answer:
Thomas Jefferson's ideas are against having religious symbols like a cross on the White House because it would imply government endorsement of a particular religion. This conflicts with his principle of separation of church and state, which is rooted in the desire for religious freedom and the non-establishment of religion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Having a cross on the White House would go against Thomas Jefferson's ideas of the separation of church and state. Jefferson's viewpoint on the relationship between religion and government is epitomized by his metaphor of a 'wall of separation.' It's clear that Jefferson's vision was of a government that did not involve itself in religious affairs or endorse any religion, ensuring religious freedom and non-establishment as key principles. This approach is consistent with the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment, which Jefferson's writings helped to shape.
Jefferson's concerns were primarily related to the government's lack of authority to influence or control religious practices, emphasizing the importance of religious liberty. Displaying a cross, a religious symbol, on the White House could be seen as an endorsement of a specific religion, which would be contrary to Jefferson's advocacy for a government neutral towards religion.
Judging by Jefferson's writings and actions, including his efforts to abolish slavery and his push for limited government, his ideological stance was to maintain a clear boundary between government and religious institutions, fostering an environment where religious belief was a personal choice unaffected by state influence.