| David Barton Born: 28-Jan-1954
Birthplace: Aledo, TX
Gender: Male
Religion: Christian
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Activist, Religion, Radio Personality
Party Affiliation: Republican Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Opposes separation of church and state Right-wing advocate David Barton authored The Myth of Separation, arguing that separation of church and state was the exact opposite of what America's founding fathers sought. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, where he falsely claims that all of America's founding fathers were Christians, that the US Constitution was written in accordance with Biblical principles with portions lifted "verbatim" from scripture, and that Thomas Jefferson was basically a fundamentalist Christian, "way out there even further than most [of the] Religious Right today would be."
He has stated that America's slavery era was wrong not because owning humans is inherently vile, but because American-style slavery was not technically in keeping with Biblical slavery as described in the Old Testament scriptures of Exodus, Deuteronomy, and Leviticus. He has wrongly written that the US Congress funded publication of the first English-language Bible published in America, and that most signers of the Declaration of Independence held Bible College degrees (only one actually did). He also believes that Sunday sessions of Congress are inherently unconstitutional.
Barton often meets with and is referenced by prominent politicians including Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Governors Sam Brownback (R-Kansas) and Mike Huckabee (R-Arkansas). Frequently billed at speaking engagements as "Dr. David Barton" and described as a historian, he holds a Bachelors' degree in Religious Education from Oral Roberts University, and an honorary doctorate from Pensacola Christian College. He served on the Texas State Board of Education's "panel of experts" that edited public school history textbooks to be more friendly to right-wing perspectives.
Most of Barton's books have been effectively self-published by WallBuilders, an organization founded by Barton himself, but his 2012 book The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You've Always Believed about Thomas Jefferson, was published by a more established book company, Thomas Nelson. After numerous startling claims in The Jefferson Lies were debunked in mainstream media, Thomas Nelson conducted its own investigation, and then took the extraordinary step of withdrawing the book from distribution, even as its sales were strong. The company's press release stated, "... as we got into [the investigation], our conclusion was that the criticisms were correct. There were historical details — matters of fact, not matters of opinion, that were not supported at all." The book was re-issued by WorldNetDaily in 2015, without corrections. Wife: Cheryl (one daughter, two sons)
Daughter: Damaris Schuler
Son: Timothy
Son: Stephen
High School: Aledo High School, Aledo, TX (1972)
University: BA Religious Education, Oral Roberts University (1976)
Administrator: Principal, Aledo Christian School, Aledo, TX
Administrator: Board of Regents, Ecclesia College, Springdale, AR
Administrator: Board of Reference, Oral Roberts University
Texas Republican Party Vice-Chair (2004-06)
Cornwall Alliance Board of Advisors
National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools
Providence Foundation Board of Advisors
Renewing American Leadership Board Member
Time Magazine 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America
Global Warming Skeptics US Senate testimony (7-Jun-2007)
Evolution Skeptics
Author of books:
The Myth of Separation (1989)
America: To Pray or Not to Pray (1991)
Original Intent: Courts, the Constitution, and Religion (2000)
Bulletproof George Washington: An Account of God's Providential Care (2003)
Celebrate Liberty!: Famous Patriotic Speeches & Sermons (2004)
The Second Amendment: Preserving the Inalienable Right of Individual Self-Protection (2004)
Setting the Record Straight: American History in Black & White (2004)
The Role of Pastors and Christians in Civil Government (2004)
Separation of Church & State: What the Founders Meant (2007)
The Jefferson Lies (2012)
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