NPR recently branded him "the most influencial evangelical you've never heard of." As barton puts it, his mission is "historical reclamation," as in Ministry of Truth style manipulation. In short this guy whats to "add God and stir" to American history, because you know, Christians are neglected and oppressed by academic historians. First of all, he is not interested in writing history about Christians, but "Christians" the kind of narrow minded psychos whom we hoped had excited stage right during the Middle Ages. And these "Christians" are not the theocratic New Englanders who for a small stretch of history did blend church and state, and burned witches. Barton wants you to know that our Founding Fathers were fundamentalists and everything you know is wrong.
First off, his credentials. None. "He has a bachelor's degree in Christian education from Oral Roberts University and runs a company called WallBuilders in Aledo, Texas." At least a charleton like Newt Gingrich, listed as a fan by the article, has a doctorate in history, however shadily he got it. Barton doesn't even pretend. This is Triumph of the Will stuff taken to its fevered conclusion by the "Christian Fascists" Chris Hedges analyzed in his book of the same name.
Second, he argues by simple force of assertion. This is called rationalization. He concludes that the Founding Fathers and many other significant figures in American history were just as crazy as he is and selectively finds evidence that can be tortured into an interpretation approaching his beliefs. None of his research methods approach anything other than wishful thinking. His conclusions are better known as "lying."
Finally, the damage done to our society by Barton and his ilk is a problem, not an issue. The christian fascists have discredited themselves as a legitimate faction in our society and do not deserve to be taken seriously. The only issue that is realistic in this situation concerns freedom of speech. Does this snake oil salesman have the right to lie to desperately gullible people? Or does society have a right to defend itself from this kind of radical destruction of our history?
It is incumbant on all real historians to confront the lies of david barton and his followers. Historians often disagree on interpretations, but this re-invention of America as Theocracy is something real historians and all Americans interested in real history need to be aware of. And we must inoculate our citizens and institutions from the poisonous virus of Christocentric revisionism.
David Barton is a schmuck, and a liar. He isn't even a very good liar. If journalists at NPR can expose you as a fraud this easily, it is no wonder you peddle your wares to the gullible sheep and the wolves who feed on their ignorance and blind obedience.
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