Customer Reviews

Separation of Church & State: What the Founders Meant

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

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. [...]

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.

This is an outstanding book! While a very brief book and quick read, it's packed with information that's critical for all U.S. citizens to understand and fight for. Thoroughly researched and clearly presented, it should be required reading for every teacher, lawyer, judge, person holding public office, and student! In fact, I think every American citizen should read and re-read this book and then hold their public servants (executive, legislative and judicial) responsible for ensuring both the law of the land and its application reflect the true intent of America's founding fathers.

I was amazed to see how blatantly and intentionally our principles of sound government and a civil society have been undermined by individuals in the judiciary with who knows what ulterior motives of opposing personal or political interests . . . and how else could this have happened except for accepted, widespread ignorance of the Constitution and the intent of our founding fathers when establishing it, and lazily trusting others to preserve and defend the ideals that made our country thrive as a free nation?

It was the wisdom incorporated into the foundational documents of our nation that facilitated this country developing into the great nation it was. We'd all do well to learn as much as we can about what our founding fathers truly intended with regard to the part government is to play in our daily lives, and restore all aspects of our governance to only that part, before our republic and the way of life it has allowed us is completely destroyed. THIS BOOK IS A GREAT PLACE TO START!!

David Barton teaches you things that you were not taught in school and should have been. He teaches the truth about our history, not the history liberals try to distort. Very enlightning,Thank you!!!!

More people need to read this and stop being sheep. It opens the eyes of those who don't think for themselves and do research.

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

This book is exactly what the title says it is, the founding father's view of religion's place in government and government's place in religion. Mr. Barton describes the origin of the phrase "seperation of church and state" (which isnt in the constitution)and describes how this phrase has been used contrary to its original purpose. This is a great book, easy to read, and well worth buying.

Read the truth about what those who wrote the constitution meant. Being lied to is no fun. We have been lied to about too many things concerning or history and current events. Learn the truth.

Learn the truth about our American heritage in this excellent short book. It will make you angry on how the truth has been taken away from us... This book gives the truth about the wizard behind the curtain. Buy it! It is a must read and have for any American that wants to learn real history! (David Barton uses actual, quotes from Founding Fathers, court cases... Not someone's interpretation.)

The common acceptance of the current popular belief that there is a constitutional mandate prohibiting any ties between government and religion is an example of the propaganda principal of "telling a big lie, repeat it over and over, and it will be accepted as truth". At this point in history, there is still such a huge wealth of factual information in opposition to this idea that even a brief review of the salient points, such as is provided in this little book, is enough to show the bad faith and ill will of those who propagate it. One can only believe this total misrepresentation of the truth deliberately or through ignorence. The latter can be quickly cured by reading this book. I highly recommend it.