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64 of 81 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some of the research used for this book might be off, September 20, 2010
This review is from: Separation of Church & State: What the Founders Meant (Paperback)
I am a big fan of David Barton's work. I think it is obvious for anyone who has read American history honestly (and is not on the ACLU's payroll) that Barton is correct about God's central role in America's founding, and foundation. However (and maybe I am not seeing something correctly) but, Separation of Church & State p.6 has three quotes that Mr. Barton uses that do not seem to match the official "Journal of the Senate" records from the same date referenced in his book for September 3, 1789.
Example #1: Mr. Barton's quote: "Congress shall not make any law establishing any religious denomination." The Journal of the Senate's first version of the amendment states that Congress should not support any "one religious sect or society in preference to others."
Example #2 Mr. Barton's quote: "Congress shall make no law establishing any particular denomination." The Journal of the Senate states" Congress shall not make any law infringing the rights conscience, or establishing any religious sect or society."
It doesn't change his very valid points, but it is very important to me (especially considering what's at stake) that original sources are quoted accurately. If I am wrong in my amateur research please show me I will immediately apologize and change this post. I have included the link to The Journal of the Senate date in question. [...]
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7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short and sweet explanation, September 7, 2011
This review is from: Separation of Church & State: What the Founders Meant (Paperback)
This book should be mandatory reading for all schools and people. It is a great explanation of the First Amendment and what it means. Most people do not know there is NOTHING in the amendment or constitution that separates church and state. In fact it is a protection for the people to be able to worship in anyway they chose, and that God (religion) should be included in peoples lives and schools to give way to a moral and just society. The Founders realized religion was the vehicle that would teach morality, and that morality comes from religion, not from the state. They knew a society with weak morals and standards could not sustain a democracy. I gave this booklet to a friend who wanted it for her pastor, who was trying to explain the real meaning of the amendment to his congregation. He was thrilled. I bought myself a second one and my high school nephew a third. Everyone needs to read the explanation in plain language to understand the nonsense that has been spouted by left leaning supreme court justices in the last 50 years or so. Their interpretation of the 1st is nowhere to be seen in the real amendment.
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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting book, but I go back to the original documents!, January 18, 2011
This review is from: Separation of Church & State: What the Founders Meant (Paperback)
I generally agree with the thesis of this book. However, when reading modern accounts of historical events it is hard to separate (excuse the pun) the facts from the spin. Solution -- go back to the original documents if they are accessible. Here is a readable account of the Christian nature of the United States from before the time it was a contentious issue, and each side put their own spin on it-- Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States
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