My Rebuttal of PBS's "Wall of Separation" (Part 1)
Chris Rodda printable version print page     Bookmark and Share
Sun Jul 15, 2007 at 03:07:25 PM EST
Feeling compelled to respond to the recent PBS pseudo-documentary, "Wall of Separation: The Phrase that Divided America," in some way, but not having the time to write anything new right now because of several other pressing projects, I've decided to do something a bit different. I've made PDFs of the sections of my book rebutting a few of the many lies in "Wall of Separation," and am making them available here.

Except where otherwise noted, the following quotes from PBS's "Wall of Separation" are from the program's narration.

In April 1789, James Madison, the principle architect of the no establishment clause headed up a committee to appoint and pay congressional chaplains to open every legislative session with prayer.

See pages 337-342 of Liars for Jesus: The Religious Right's Alternate Version of American History.


And this same Congress, only years earlier, had requisitioned 20,000 Bibles to distribute throughout the nation to its citizens.

See Chapter 1 of Liars for Jesus.


As President, he [Jefferson] supported the use of the Bible in Washington D.C. schools.

See pages 243-249 of Liars for Jesus.


He [Jefferson] presided over the largest church service in his administration, held in the Capitol Building.

and

Church services were held in the Capitol Building itself, and this tradition has continued in Congress to the present day.

See pages 442-447 of Liars for Jesus.


James H. Hutson, Chief of the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress: At one point when he [Jefferson] was working on designing the Great Seal of the United States, he suggested that you have Moses leading the Israelites through the Red Sea.

See pages 456-459 of Liars for Jesus.


He [Jefferson] wrote and signed the Northwest Ordinance, encouraging religion in federal government and education.

and

At the same time that Congress was constructing the First Amendment, they also approved a statute regarding the government of newly formed state territories.

Dr. John C. Eastman, The Claremont Institute Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence: It's called the Northwest Ordinance, and the Northwest Ordinance contains a very famous and important provision. It says, "Religion, morality, and education, being necessary for good government, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." They saw no contradiction between religious schools -- government supported religious schools -- in the Northwest Ordinance and the Establishment Clause.

See Chapter 2 of Liars for Jesus.


He [Jefferson] promoted Christianity to Native American tribes, through the arm of the federal government.

See pages 71-79 of Liars for Jesus.


For anyone reading the excerpts from my book, there is also a footnote archive on my website where you can view actual images of the books and documents cited as you're reading.




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