“Christianity Will Be the Law”: High-Profile Advocate for Ending the Separation of Church and State Is Well Acquainted With Speaker Mike Johnson

Amy LewisNov 6, 2023

Minute Read

A high-profile activist for ending the separation of church and state is reportedly having staffing discussions with Speaker Mike Johnson

A Christian Nationalist Tool

David Barton is an activist from Texas. In his eyes, the separation of church and state is deeply misunderstood and America should be a Christian nation. After Representative Mike Johnson, known for believing the Earth is 6,000 years old and working for firms advocating for the sterilization of transgender people, was elected as speaker, Barton said: “We have some tools at our disposal now [that] we haven’t had in a long time.”

A Profound Influence

The pair are acquainted. Speaker Johnson spoke at a WallBuilders – Barton’s nonprofit – event. He said Barton had a “profound influence on me, and my work, and my life, and everything I do.”

The Rise of Christian Nationalism

Barton has been called upon to testify in favor of bills aimed at ending the separation of church and state on numerous occasions. Critics are concerned that Johnson’s recent victory, and his praise of individuals like Barton, indicate a troubling future ahead and a potential rise of Christian nationalism.

An Expert Opinion

David Brockman, a scholar in religion and public policy, said: “Johnson’s rise means that Barton and his fellow Christian nationalists now have unprecedented access to the levers of power on the national stage, paralleling the access they already have here in Texas and some other states.”

The Godly Foundation of America

Barton founded WallBuilders in 1988. He isn’t shy about its purpose: To “exert a direct and positive influence in government, education, and the family by educating the nation concerning the Godly foundation of our country” and “providing information to federal, state, and local officials as they develop public policies which reflect Biblical values.”

The Establishment Clause

Barton is now one of the most high-profile figures among those who wish to erase or warp the meaning of the establishment clause of the First Amendment, a clause that clearly states that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion.”

A Deep Misunderstanding

In Barton’s eyes, the aforementioned clause has been deeply misunderstood. According to him, the Founding Fathers were “orthodox, evangelical” Christians and intended for “religion” to be interpreted as “Christian denomination.”

Rewriting to Constitution

“We would best understand the actual context of the First Amendment by saying, ‘Congress shall make no law establishing one Christian denomination as the national denomination,’” Barton said.

Twisting and Warping the Constitution

The controversial figure also said the Founding Fathers “never intended the First Amendment to become a vehicle to promote a pluralism of other religions.” WallBuilders’ website says: “‘Separation of church and state’ currently means almost exactly the opposite of what it originally meant.”

Causing Society’s “Problems”

Barton also claims that all of society’s problems – both actual and perceived – are caused by the current understanding of the separation of church and state. This includes, in his opinion, school shootings, drug use, divorce, crime, and the existence of LGBTQ+ people.

Comparing Gay People to Nazis

As if all of the aforementioned beliefs weren’t archaic enough, Barton once said that we don’t have a cure for AIDS because of God’s vengeance regarding homosexuality. He also compared Nazi Germany’s war crimes to being gay.

A Biblical Worldview

As well as Speaker Johnson, Barton is well acquainted with Rick Green, the leader of Patriot Academy – a group that trains people to “influence government policy with a Biblical worldview.” The training uses a lot of Barton’s talking points.

God Wrote the Constitution

Some Texas Republicans have voiced similar views to Barton. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick called the U.S. “a Christian nation” and said: “There is no separation of church and state. It was not in the Constitution. We were a nation founded upon not the words of our founders, but the words of God because he wrote the Constitution.”

Christianity Will Have Power

Johnson attempted to assist Trump in overturning the 2020 election by putting together a legal brief advocating for a lawsuit aiming to throw out the results in four swing states. Now, the former president has promised evangelicals that “Christianity will have power” if he’s reelected.

The Most Important Election

Given the aforementioned comments from Trump and Johnson’s rise to speaker, people are naturally concerned about Christian nationalist views being validated. Barton and individuals like him now have a direct link to those in very powerful positions – and Johnson’s agenda is clear. The 2024 presidential election will likely be the most important in America’s history.

The Internet’s Response

News of Barton’s “discussions” with Speaker Johnson was shared across the internet and people flocked to comment sections to give their views. One person said: “The state is supposed to support people of all religions without favor. Religion cannot play a part in politics. They must stay separate.”

A God for All People

Another commenter wrote: “Religious zealots and fanatics are a dangerous bunch of people, regardless of which religion they support. Take a look at the Middle East. That part of the world has suffered for centuries due to religious fanaticism. We do not need that here. Last time I checked the Bible, God was a God for all people.”

Fearing for the Future

Others expressed fear: “I am truly terrified by what I’m seeing. I fear for the future and I don’t see things getting any better. In 50 years, I worry that women will be banned from working, driving, doing anything without permission from men. I worry that they’ll look back at photos of women from today, like we look back at photos of women from Iran in the 1970s, and wonder how things changed. I fear that Christianity will be the law.”