Saturday, June 26, 2010

Wwallbuilders web site

WallBuilders is an organization dedicated to presenting America's forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on the moral, religious, and constitutional foundation on which America was built – a foundation which, in recent years, has been seriously attacked and undermined. In accord with what was so accurately stated by George Washington, we believe that "the propitious [favorable] smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation which disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained."

Why the name "WallBuilders"?
In the Old Testament book of Nehemiah, the nation of Israel rallied together in a grassroots movement to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and thus restore stability, safety, and a promising future to that great city. We have chosen this historical concept of "rebuilding the walls" to represent allegorically the call for citizen involvement in rebuilding our nation's foundations. As Psalm 11:3 reminds us, "If the foundations be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?"

Our Goal
WallBuilders' goal is to exert a direct and positive influence in government, education, and the family by (1) educating the nation concerning the Godly foundation of our country; (2) providing information to federal, state, and local officials as they develop public policies which reflect Biblical values; and (3) encouraging Christians to be involved in the civic arena.

Educating the Nation
In the first part of this goal, we develop materials to educate the public concerning the periods in our country's history when its laws and policies were firmly rooted in Biblical principles. As George Washington indicated in his famous "Farewell Address," previous generations believed such elements were inseparable from America:

Of all the habits and dispositions which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.
For over three centuries, historians presented American history from a broad perspective, but in the 1960s historical writers widely embraced what today is called the "economic view of American history" whereby economic causes are the primary and almost singular emphasis of study. Consequently, students study only "taxation without representation" when they examine the Declaration of Independence rather than important civil, governmental, and moral principles addressed in that document.

WallBuilders returns to the historical approach long utilized by the nation's pre-eminent historians. As Charles Coffin (a best-selling author of school history texts in the nineteenth century) reminded teachers in his text, The Story of Liberty:

You will notice that while the oppressors have carried out their plans and had things their own way, there were other forces silently at work which in time undermined their plans – as if a Divine hand were directing the counter-plan. Whoever peruses the story of liberty without recognizing this feature will fail of fully comprehending the meaning of history. There must be a meaning to history or else existence is an incomprehensible enigma.
This broad and thus much more inclusive approach to American history characterized the work of influential historians and educators from George Bancroft ("The Father of American History") to Noah Webster ("The Schoolmaster to America") to Emma Willard ("The Pioneer of Women's Education in America"), John Fiske, and countless others. In fact, to exclude non-economic events and motivations is to present a biased view of history. As explained by U. S. Department of Education history researcher Dr. Paul Vitz:
Bias is primarily accomplished by exclusion. . . . Such a bias is much harder to observe than a positive vilification or direct criticism, but it is the essence of censorship.
WallBuilders presents an uncensored view of American history, thus not only giving meaning to history but also keeping it from becoming what Charles Coffin termed "an incomprehensible enigma."

Providing Information
In the second part of our goal, we believe that as citizens learn the truth about our nation's past, they will be better equipped to help frame its future and to help shape the policies under which they will live. Toward this end, WallBuilders is an educational resource to those working toward improving federal, state and local policies. This is accomplished in part by providing direct assistance to our elected and appointed officials. This assistance takes several forms, including consulting with both legislators and judges, at their request, on legal and historical issues, testifying in state and federal hearings, providing research services, identifying and supporting sound legislation, and providing historical perspectives to current problems.

Encouraging Christians
Thirdly, we encourage people of faith to become involved in the civic arena, whether through prayer or direct involvement. As President and gospel minister James A. Garfield stated, "Now, more than ever, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature. . . . [I]f the next centennial does not find us a great nation. . . . it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces."

Our Founder
WallBuilders' founder and president, David Barton, resides in Aledo, Texas (just west of Fort Worth), with his wife, Cheryl, and their three children. David spent eight years as an educator and school administrator before founding WallBuilders. He has received numerous awards including several Who's Who honors, two Angel Awards for excellence in media, and the George Washington Honor Medal. He has spoken to numerous state legislatures, consulted with both state and federal legislators on various bills, and has written amicus briefs in cases at the U. S. Supreme Court.

»» Click here for more information about David Barton.

Our Activities
WallBuilders is involved in a diverse array of activities which support our goals of educating Americans concerning our heritage and of influencing public policy.

The heart of our educational work, and that which makes WallBuilders so unique, is our library of rare books. We have collected thousands of first-edition works of our Founding Fathers – including their own handwritten documents – and it is primarily in these original sources that we conduct our research. From these priceless resources, we are able to document the rich religious and moral history of America as well as to establish the original intent undergirding the various clauses of our Constitution.

Based on our extensive research, we have produced over two dozen books and videos (with new releases every year) applying the lessons of our history to contemporary issues. These books and videos not only present our nation's rich heritage but they also introduce the current generation of Americans to an uncensored view of America's religious and political history. These materials are used extensively by public officials as well as by individuals, churches, Christian educators, and various organizations across the nation. In fact, even public schools and colleges are using these materials in their classrooms.

WallBuilders outreach to ministers has paved the way for exclusive Congressional Pastors' Briefings on Capitol Hill where hundreds of clergy have been impacted by some of the country's top conservative political leaders in these educational and informative sessions.

Additionally, individuals in communities across the nation use our loaner videos, designed especially for broadcast use, and have aired them to great effect (at no charge) on local cable stations. Groups of businessmen or ministerial alliances have banded together to purchase an hour of air time on local network affiliates. We have also produced dozens of one-minute radio spots, titled "Moments From America's History," which many citizens have successfully encouraged their local radio stations to air. (If you are interested in helping spread the message of America's strong religious and moral heritage through these means, please contact us at (817) 441-6044 or wbcustomerservice@wallbuilders.com.)

To assist in the formation of sound public policy, we have established the WallBuilders' ProFamily Legislative Network. This arm of WallBuilders monitors and collects pro-family legislation from the various states in over a dozen different areas (e.g., marriage, abortion, education, public morality, gambling, parental rights) which we then make available to legislators and activists in other states at their request, thus enabling pro-family legislation to be introduced in states across America. We also support efforts by groups such as The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) and Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation that seek to provide principled Christian leadership in diverse policy areas, including a comprehensive call to civic responsibility and a call to truth on environmental stewardship.

WallBuilders is also a national leader in efforts to return local control to citizens through restraining renegade federal judges who too often impose their own arbitrary values on communities. David Barton has not only authored several works on this issue, he also addresses legal groups and has been sought out by federal and state legislators in their attempts to curb activist judges.

Combining both the educational and the public policy information, WallBuilders offers public presentations on a variety of topics ranging from our Godly heritage to what can be done to restore Biblical principles in our nation.

Click for information about booking an event.
To help keep citizens informed, we send emails with timely information that keep you up to date on legislation that could affect you and your family, highlight important aspects of our heritage, inform you of new materials that we have produced, highlight special sales, and much more.

»» Subscribe to our email updates.

What Others Are Saying
WallBuilders seeks to change lives, and thereby to change America. According to testimonials, this is occurring:

"David Barton is one of the foremost authorities on the moral and religious foundations of our nation's Constitution and history. I have heard David speak many times, have had him on my radio and television programs, have worked hand in hand with him to foster the political responsibility of the People of God, have co-sponsored clergy briefings with him in Washington, and have taken part in several of the spiritual heritage tours he gives of the Capitol. I always come away from his talks not only knowing more, but being more determined to preserve and advance our nation's Christian foundations. Moreover, I have seen firsthand the level of respect David is given by those who serve as our representatives in Congress and strive to live up to the vision our Founding Fathers had for those who occupy such high office.

"It is an honor to collaborate with David Barton and Wallbuilders, and I urge people of all denominations to become familiar with the resources he offers." --Father Frank Pavone, Priests for Life

"The seed you are sowing is bringing a harvest of righteousness and countering a tide of ungodliness. Praise the Lord." --Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty (Oklahoma)

"David's commitment to quality research and to making America a better place for our children shines through in all of his professional activities." --Former Congressman Bill Dannemeyer (California)

"Your materials were the turning point for me in becoming a Christian. . . . I feel like I have been granted a new life. . . . I thank God for you for influencing the way my life has changed." --Gary Sterling, presentation attendee (Texas)

"While watching [your] tape The Spirit of the American Revolution, I wept thinking how far our nation has moved away from the concepts of the Founding Fathers . . . . What can we do to get back to the founding concepts and blessings that our forefathers received?" --U. S. Senator Sam Brownback (Kansas)

"Seeing how far our country has moved from its beginnings and the original intent of our Founding Fathers has encouraged me to be very active politically to try to bring about a move back to our beginnings." --Connie Potter, presentation attendee (Washington)

"David's materials . . . have given me and other legislators the courage to defend the moral values that made our country great." --State Senator Ellen Craswell (Washington)

The above quotes represent but a few of the lives being changed through the message God has given WallBuilders. Their testimonials offer positive proof of a renewed vision and of a rededication to be good stewards of this country that God has so graciously placed in our hands. This civic stewardship is crucial both for our generation as well as future ones. WallBuilders embraces completely the timeless charge delivered in 1803 by the Reverend Matthias Burnet, who warned, "Let not your children have reason to curse you for giving up those rights and prostrating those institutions which your fathers delivered to you."

How to Get Involved
Although we have a dedicated staff at WallBuilders, we depend on people like you to help spread our message. There are at least three important things you can do to help.

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