You are not signed in. Sign in.

List Books: Buy books on ListBooks.org

Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution, and Religion »

Book cover image of Original Intent: The Courts, the Constitution, and Religion by David Barton

Authors: David Barton
ISBN-13: 9781932225631, ISBN-10: 1932225633
Format: Paperback
Publisher: WallBuilders, Incorporated
Date Published: August 2008
Edition: (Non-applicable)

Find Best Prices for This Book »

Author Biography: David Barton

David Barton is the founder of WallBuilders, an organization dedicated to presenting America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage. David is author of numerous best-selling works and a national award-winning historian who brings a fresh perspective to history.

Book Synopsis

An essential resource for anyone interested in our nation's religious heritage and the Founders' intended role for the American judicial system. Original Intent combines hundreds of quotes from primary sources with the author's exposition on hot topics such as revisionism, judicial activism, and separation of church and state. A substantial appendix encompasses full texts of the founding documents, biographical sketches of numerous Founders, and extensive reference notes.

Table of Contents


Foreword 5 Editor's Notes 7 Acknowledgments 11
1 Religion and the Courts 13
2 Religion and the Constitution 27
3 The Misleading Metaphor 49
4 The Judicial Evidence 55
5 The Historical Evidence 81
6 The Religious Nature of the Founding Fathers 129
7 Safeguarding Original Intent 153
8 Rewriting Original Intent 157
9 Ignoring Original Intent 197
10 The Court's Selective Use of History 203
11 Establishing the American Philosophy of Government 219
12 A Changing Standard - Toward a New Constitution? 233
13 A Constitution in a State of Flux 239
14 Identifying the Spirit of the Constitution 247
15 Maintaining Constitutional Integrity 259
16 Revisionism: A Willing Accomplice 285
17 Religion and Morality: The Indispensable Supports 325
18 Returning to Original Intent 337 Appendix A The Declaration of Independence 357 Appendix B The Constitution of the United States 361 Appendix C Biographical Sketches of Select Individuals Referenced in Original Intent 379 Appendix D Endnotes 439 Appendix E List of Cases Cited 505 Appendix F Bibliography 513 Appendix G Index 535

Subjects