I came across this today while doing some research for "Blogging Against Theocracy Conspiracists." It's from Wallbuilders.com, from David Barton. The website contains a wealth of information about the Founders and America's Christian heritage. Anyone doubting Barton's intellectal honesty should note that he has not only highlighted many of the quotes which prove America's Christian heritage, he has also pointed out some popular quotes that cannot be confirmed with original sources.
The following is a good summary of why the whole "theocracy" charge is fallacious, and is a veiled attempt to hide public expressions of faith in the closet.
In a recent letter, the writer took the same position as Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) and parroted AU's offensive mantra, associating a theocracy or theocratic state with the “Religious Right.” Such claims are patently false.
First, to have a theocracy in America, the Constitution must be replaced with a totalitarian dictator who speaks on God's behalf (i.e., a revival of “the Divine Right of Kings” doctrine). I challenge AU, or anyone else to identify which part of the “Religious Right” is calling for such a government.
Second, the “Religious Right” leaders (Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Jim Dobson, et. al) are calling for an increased respect for the Constitution and its actual wording, urging citizens to exercise their constitutional right to vote. The real “crime” of these leaders is not that they want a theocracy (which they don't) but that they rightfully want legislators to make national policy instead of judges. Should that occur, AU or groups like them could not win another battle, for Americans overwhelmingly reject their policies (e.g., “under God” in the Pledge - a phrase opposed by AU but supported by 87% of Americans).
The rabid opposition to public religious expressions is often irrational, In fact, a New Jersey bill proposing that students begin each day by reciting the first 56 words from the Declaration of Independence was loudly denounced as “a thinly-veiled attempt to put prayer in schools” - the first step on the road to a - you guessed it - “theocracy!” Reading the actual wording of the Declaration of Independence leads to a theocracy??? It is time for that term to become anathema in public discourse.
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