Brayton: "Gregg Frazer Eviscerates David Barton"
Check it out
here. A taste:
And while I [Ed Brayton] have my disagreements with [Gregg Frazer] on the scope and nature of
the religion clauses of the First Amendment, I agree with him in his
assessment of the utter dishonesty of David Barton. Warren Throckmorton
has, with Frazer’s permission, published a long review of Barton’s America’s Deadly [sic?] Heritage.
Let us begin with monumental unsupported assumptions
presented as fact. The video begins with the claim that 52 of the 55
delegates at the Constitutional Convention were “orthodox, evangelical
Christians.” Barton does not supply any source or basis for this
astounding claim, but I strongly suspect that the source is M.E.
Bradford’s A Worthy Company. It is, to my knowledge, the only “study”
that attempts such a determination and that produces 52 as a result. The extent of Bradford’s evidence is simply a list of the
denominational affiliations of the 55 delegates. Mere affiliation with a
denomination is, of course, no evidence whatever of “orthodox,
evangelical” Christianity. This is particularly true since, in order to
get to 52, one must include the two Roman Catholics. If mere
denominational affiliation is proof of orthodox Christianity, one must
also wonder why Barton is concerned today, since 86% of today’s Congress
is affiliated with Protestant or Catholic denominations (compared with
just 75% of the national population). Today’s Congress is apparently
more “Christian” than the American public.
A second monumental assumption is the claim that George Washington’s
“miraculous” delivery in battle demonstrates God’s special hand on him.
The original source for this story is Mason Locke (Parson) Weems’s
embarrassing hagiography of Washington. To present one of Weems’s
stories as fact reflects very poorly on Barton’s historiography. But
even if one were to take this story as fact, one cannot assume without
revelation that an event such as this indicates a special relationship
with God. Hitler “miraculously” survived an attempt on his life, too –
and claimed that God had spared him to finish his “ordained” work…
....
3 comments:
A second monumental assumption is the claim that George Washington’s “miraculous” delivery in battle demonstrates God’s special hand on him. The original source for this story is Mason Locke (Parson) Weems’s embarrassing hagiography of Washington.
In a letter to John Augustine, 18 July 1755, Washington wrote
http://tinyurl.com/p3mr6mt
“By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet [I] escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me."
I'd say that qualifies.
I think that Frazer covers that with,
"But even if one were to take this story as fact, one cannot assume without revelation that an event such as this indicates a special relationship with God. Hitler 'miraculously' survived an attempt on his life, too – and claimed that God had spared him to finish his 'ordained' work…"
However, I assess a point demerit for not recognizing the GW quote.
In addition, Frazer is also expressing a religious opinion*, no more or less valid than Barton's.
Total fail on this point.
________
*Religious truth claims are above the historian's pay grade. What we have here is a theology battle between two non-theologians. With color commentary from the always adorable atheist Mr. Brayton.
Not our finest hour.
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