A review of David Barton's 'The Myth of Separation'

When you think of David Barton your thoughts automatically go to original source documents. David Barton owns a large library of original source documents related to American history. When he speaks or writes his content is fraught with quotes from original sources.

His book, The Myth of Separation, is no exception to that rule. David Barton begins this work with excerpts from modern court cases to illustrate what the phrase “separation of church and state” has come to mean in American jurisprudence. He then goes back to the beginning to launch his reader on a journey from the original formation of the First Amendment to the Constitution, and the origin of the phrase “separation of church and state.”

Mr. Barton continues by building his case on “organic utterances” which he defines. “'Organic,' in a legal sense, simply means 'belonging to the fundamental or Constitutional law' and can be comprised of both historical information and of previous legal rulings based on such historical information. 'Organic utterances' are the base on which laws are built and are therefore part of the law – they are what judges term the 'common law.'” He then cites example after example of these “organic utterances”.

The bulk of your journey will then take you through the legal and political happenings that moved American institutions from the original intent of the First Amendment to where you find the same today. David Barton issues a warning call of the dangers of the modern understanding of the doctrine of separation of church and state.

Finally, Mr. Barton gives his blueprint for victory to save the Constitution from the Secular Humanist. Because his entire argument is based on original sources it is a daunting task for the Secular Humanist to answer his arguments. This book is a good addition to the library of any who are engaged in the battle for the American culture.