How often have you heard it stated on TV; in the press; or by an acquaintance that the wall of separation between church and state are words taken right out of the US Constitution? In fact; the First Amendment to the Constitution - what is popularly referred to as the establishment clause; the only part of the US Constitution that even deals with religion and faith contains no reference whatsoever to a wall of separation; or; for that matter; any sort of wording including the phrase separation of church and state. The only words in the US Constitution concerning this topic are found in the First Amendment; where it is written: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion; or prohibiting the free exercise thereof... That s it. Yet these sixteen words have been elaborately interpreted by some as having a meaning that has no basis in the founders intentions or historic record. Where then has this mountain of contention come from; resulting in a wall of misconception between church and state; and indeed between God and government? The phrase wall of separation was coined by Thomas Jefferson in his private 1802 letter of response to the Danbury Baptist Association; wherein he reaffirmed the federal government s intention to protect the public s rights of conscience to believe and practice their faith without fear of interference from government. Several prominent citizens rights organizations will contend that this purported wall is being routinely breached by people of faith; yet others will assert that any action by the government to impede an individual s right to pray in school or at a public event; to display a Christmas tree in public or to say one nation under God in the Pledge of Allegiance is itself a violation of the First Amendment. In Wall of Misconception; Dr. Peter Lillback examines our nation's historic understanding of and the founding fathers intention in the relationship of our Constitution to matters of faith; ethics; and morals; taking into account the historical and biblical context as well as the concept s relation to today s culture. This is both the layman's and professional's definitive guide to the separation of church and state and; indeed; the separation of God and government.
#339422 in Books 2003-06-01Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 1.18 x 6.36 x 9.00l; #File Name: 0972528873425 pages
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. From the hand of "John Boy Walton"By Earl HamnerBread Crumb's life is worthy of the extensive documentation given to it.... The central core of the book is of course the familiar story of an immigrant coming to America and through exemplary character; extensive hard work; and sacrifice; realizing the American dream of success; wealth; and happiness. This is a worthy theme...dramatized well. Bread Crumb's life lends itself well to this theme since he practiced all those traditional virtues that make for success and seems to have been an appealing "regular" guy as well. In addition to his virtues there was high drama in the course of his life from the earliest years through his rise to the top of his profession. The period of his life also had large scope in time covering many of the crucial and dramatic years in our history. This is well underlined in the writing. Just a note about the writing. It is clear and vivid and honest; rich in detail and character description. The dialogue is so good that I have no doubt that this was exactly the way people spoke in the conversations which are recreated here. It is an "easy" book to read. It is an inspiring book and one that should be especially welcome today when patriotism is on the rise and we are taking a new look at our national character. Throughout the book there is a high moral tone.... This book is not the standard book you will find in bookstores today. Much of what is published today is depraved; morbid; or psychological case studies of sick people; or written to appeal to the lowest tastes and concerns of the reading public.... Bread Crumb is in a very special category.... The photographs are a wonderful feature of the book. They add immeasurably to the readability of the story. They are also well reproduced.... Lastly; I would like to have known Bread Crumb. I would like to have gone fishing with him.
