David Barton

David Barton is a little known Texan Christian Right activitist and founder of Wallbuilders. Barton was hired by the RNC as a political consultant and by November 2004, for U.S. presidential election, 2004, had traveled the country and spoken "at about 300 RNC-sponsored lunches for local evangelical pastors." During the "lunches," Barton presented "a slide show of American monuments," discussed his view of "America’s Christian heritage," and told "pastors that they are allowed to endorse political candidates from the pulpit." 

Christian Historical Revisionism
Described as a "Christian historical revisionist," Barton is attributed with not only authoring the following quotes which "the culture warriors of the Religious Right never tire of repeating ... ad infinitum and ad nauseam, ..." 


 * "The United States of America are a Christian Nation."
 * "The founding fathers were evangelical Christians."
 * "Church-state separation is a liberal myth."

but is also credited with making up supporting quotes, "such as the following one that is completely bogus, but still circulating in Christian Right circles."


 * "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." --fictional quote attributed to James Madison.

A "Christian Nation"

 * Frederick Clarkson wrote in an April 11, 2005, essay that "David Barton is perhaps the leading proponent of the notion that the U.S. was once, and should again be a 'Christian Nation.' He wants to sell you on that idea. He has books and tapes to sell too. The problem is that his slick products and presentations don't stand up to scrutiny."


 * "In 2004, the notion that the U.S. is a Christian Nation was added to the Texas GOP platform. According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State, this action was denounced by both Jewish and Muslim groups."

An Unholy Alliance
Barton, a right-wing religious revisionist, has teamed up with conservative radio and talk show host Glenn Beck. On July 7, 2010 Barton taught the first lecture in Beck's online seminar series entitled, "Glenn Beck University." His lecture,entitled "The Black-Robed Regiment," revolved around the idea of teaching the "true" history of America's founding. Beck’s Web site refers to Barton as “Prof. David Barton,” but Barton holds no advanced degrees and does not teach at any legitimate institution. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Christian Education from Oral Roberts University. While Beck is not an actual historian, he has posed as one since the 1990s. Barton's partnership with Beck has elevated his notoriety, since Beck's show reaches 1.5 million viewers nightly. Barton has appeared on Beck's television program at least 15 times since March, 2010, and Beck started featuring him in regular appearances on Friday nights, in what Beck calls Since March, Barton has appeared on Beck’s program at least 15 times. In fact, Beck calls “Founders’ Fridays.”

Author of Judicial Intimidation
Clarkson added April 12, 2005, that the "national media seems to be ignoring the outcry by civil liberties groups and Democrats about Christian Right author David Barton's religious history of the U.S. tour sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist. They are also ignoring Barton's role in formulating the strategy of 'intimidation' of judges by the Christian Right and their allies in Congress." 

Overseeing Public School History
David Barton "has been appointed by State Boards of Education and governors in several States to oversee the writing of history and government standards for public school students in those States, including Texas, California, Kentucky, and several others." April 2002.

Affiliations

 * Texas Republican Party, Vice Chairman
 * The Providence Foundation, Member of the Board

Publications

 * America: To Pray or Not to Pray, WallBuilder Press; 5th edition 1994, ISBN 0925279420.
 * America's Godly Heritage, WallBuilder Press, 1993, ISBN 0925279293.
 * Education and the Founding Fathers, Wallbuilders Press, 1993, ISBN 0925279307.
 * Keys to Good Government, WallBuilder Press, 1994, ISBN 0925279366.
 * Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution, and Religion, WallBuilder Press, 1996 ISBN 0925279501; 2000 ISBN 0925279757; 3rd edition 2004 Softcover ISBN 1932225269.
 * The Foundations of American Government, Wallbuilder Press, 1993, ISBN 0925279323.
 * The Myth of Separation: What Is the Correct Relationship Between Church and State?, Wallbuilders Press; 5th edition 1992, ISBN 0925279188.
 * The Role of Pastors and Christians in Civil Government, WallBuilder Press, 2004, ISBN 193222503X.
 * The Second Amendment, Preserving the Inalienable Right of Individual Self-Protection, WallBuilder Press, 2000, ISBN 0925279773.

SourceWatch Resources

 * Dominionism
 * The Bush Theocracy
 * Theocon
 * theocracy

Biographical Data

 * David Barton's Wallbuilders biography.
 * David Barton (1783 - 1837), Democratic Republican Senator from Missouri served 1821-1831; was also: Adams-Clay Republican; Adams Democrat; Anti-Jacksonian."

Testimony & Documents

 * David Barton, Testimony in the Kansas House on HCR 5050, School Prayer Amendment, April 3, 2002.
 * David Barton, "Separation of Church and State," Wallbuilders.

Articles & Commentary

 * Rob Boston, "Sects, Lies and Videotape. David Barton's Distorted History,". Originally Published in Church & State Volume 46, No. 4, April 1993, pp 8-12.
 * J. Brent Walker, "Critique of David Barton’s 'America’s Godly Heritage'," Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, January 20, 1995. Broken link; type link into search line.
 * Rob Boston, "David Barton. Master of myth and misinformation," IFAS/Freedom Writer, June 1996.
 * Rob Boston, David Barton and Wallbuilders, positiveatheism.org: Includes a comprehensive linked articles, particularly to examples of mentions of the false quotes.
 * Rob Boston, "David Barton's 'Questionable Quotes'," positiveatheism.org: based on concession statement from Barton that "the following twelve quotations attributed to prominent historical figures are either false or at best questionable."
 * Richard S. Russell, "Bogus Quotes" by Barton, positiveatheism.
 * Jim Allison, compiler, "An Index to Factual Information About David Barton And His Books" and "Study Guide: Problematical Religious Right Quotes And Arguments": Provides citations and debunking of Barton quotes.
 * Editorial: "A Critique of David Barton's America's Godly Heritage," Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs.

Dated Material

 * Nicholas P. Miller, "Wallbuilders or Mythbuilders," Christian Ethics Today, May 5, 2003 (update).
 * Background on David Barton (cache file), The Interfaith Alliance, July 2004.
 * Deborah Caldwell, "David Barton & the 'Myth' of Church-State Separation. The Bush campaign has hired a controversial activist who calls the U.S. a 'Christian nation'," Beliefnet, [November] 2004.
 * Steve Weissman, "America's Religious Right - Saints or Subversives?: The Lure of Christian Nationalism," Truthout, April 6, 2005.
 * Mark Preston, "Judicial Critic to Lead Frist Tour; Activist Favors Impeachment," Roll Call, April 7, 2005.
 * Bob Moser, "The Crusaders. Christian evangelicals are plotting to remake America in their own image," Rolling Stone, April 7, 2005.
 * Letter from Ralph G. Neas to Senator Frist Requesting Withdrawal of Sponsorship of Capital Tour Led by Judicial Intimidation Activist David Barton, People for the American Way, April 8, 2005.
 * Max Blumenthal, "In Contempt of Courts," The Nation, April 11, 2005.
 * Frederick Clarkson, "A Top Christian Nationalist Comes to Massachusetts," frederickclarkson.com, April 11, 2005.
 * Frederick Clarkson, "The Author of Judicial Intimidation," frederickclarkson.com, April 12, 2005.