Telling Jefferson Lies

Watch for information about Season Two coming in 2025!

Season one of the series was active from January-April, 2024. Bonus episodes were periodically posted throughout the remainder of 2024. Please subscribe so you will be notified about Season Two in 2025.

Telling Jefferson Lies chronicles how history can be hijacked for ideological and political purposes, as well as a much broader story about the surge of Christian nationalism and the misuse of history which often goes along with it. The series begins with an in-depth consideration of the methods of Christian nationalist story teller David Barton. Then I tell the story of how his book on Jefferson was pulled from publication in 2012 and the response of evangelicals to that rare event. From there, I broaden the scope to examine the varieties of Christian nationalism and the negative consequences of this way of thinking about church and state. The last segment examines the reasons why the separation of church and state is good history, good civics, and good religion.

For more information, go to http://www.gettingjeffersonright.com.

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Telling Jefferson Lies

The O'Connor Question

April 30, 2024 • Warren Throckmorton • Season 1 • Episode 13

In 2005, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor asked an important question for those who would erode separation of church and state: "Why would we trade a system that has served us so well for one that has served others so poorly? "

I spend much of this episode affirming that we should not trade. Much of this series has been raising alarm about Christian nationalism and supporting separation of church and state. This episode assembles an all-star cast of experts in favor of a strong separation position. Joining me are:

Randall Balmer: John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College
Rob Boston: Editor, Church & State magazine
Charles Haynes: Senior fellow at the Freedom Forum
Troy Jackson: Historian, civil rights activist, founder of Undivided
George Marsden: Professor of history, emeritus, Notre Dame University
Mark Noll: Professor of history, emeritus, Notre Dame University
Jemar Tisby: Historian, author, civil right activist

Show Notes:

The closing song is Twisting History by Jonus Fair and the theme song is The World Awaits Us All by Roman Candle. Background music is provided by Jonathan Swaim and yours truly.

Thanks to Grove City College Social Work professor Jennifer Hollenberger for the opening affirmation!

Thanks to Rob Boston for the tip on the O'Connor Question.

For more information about the book Getting Jefferson Right, go to gettingjeffersonright.com.