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June 2005 Table of Contents
Cover Story
Myth Busters
by Dr. Ed Litton
Pastor: First Baptist North Mobile
Mobile, AL
 One of the favorite reality television programs in the Litton home is Myth Busters, on the Discovery Channel. Two very funny egg headed gadget freaks, Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, seek to de-mythologize commonly held myths and urban legends. The high drama of the show is always the conclusion when a myth is busted or the truth is confirmed. My sons like the show because Adam and Jamie blow things up and participate in a lot of juvenile behavior. I like it for that reason and one other: I like to think of myself as something of a historical myth buster.
Like all Americans we have grown up with certain myths and legends concerning our collective history. There are certain legends that we hold to dearly – but are simply not true. Many more myths are inaccurate to the point that they have become potentially damaging. You might ask: "damaging to what?" They are damaging to our most precious freedoms.
I enjoy myth busting so much that two years ago my two teenage sons and I set out on a historical myth busting adventure. We set out to produce a documentary on the subject of the separation of church and state. If you ever try something like this, let me suggest an attitude that will serve you well. Approach your subject with ignorance and curiosity. We are all ignorant about something, but many of us are not curious.
I was taught a myth about the separation of church and state that has had profound impact on my role as a pastor and community leader. I have struggled with the commonly held myth that, as a pastor, I had little to no role in public policy, or political issues. Furthermore, as a Christian, I often heard that my faith was not to play a role in a pluralistic culture. This translates to preaching on almost any subject, except something that is controversial or that can be labeled as "political." I believed the myth of the wall of separation between church and state. Some of you reading this believe in it also. I am not saying there should not be some form of separation I am saying we discovered the metaphor of a wall is dangerous; a wall blocks passage from both sides. Our founders only indented that congress be restricted, not religion.
As we set out on our discovery, we researched the matter; we interviewed scholars, experts and leading thinkers on this subject. What we discovered amazed and surprised us. For instance:
Did you know that The Constitution of the United States at no time declares a wall of separation between church and state?
Did you know that Thomas Jefferson, one of our nation's most notable founders, was a man of deep and struggling faith but not a deist?
Did you know that the framers of our constitution and Bill of Rights were careful to place restrictions on Congress and not on churches?
Did you know that pastors and Christians played such an instrumental role that John Adams listed pastors, more than any others, as the key influencers responsible for the American Revolution?
Did you know that the term "wall of separation between church and state" was introduced to our modern way of thinking in 1947?
Did you know that, until that time, the phrase: "Separation of church and state" only appeared in a dozen or so court cases, but since 1947 it has appeared in over 6,000 court decisions?
Our curiosity led us to the conclusion that we live in a time in American history when the freedom of religion and all that it means is being seriously threatened. This documentary explores the origin of the First Amendment and what our founders envisioned. It presents the role of pastors in the founding of this great republic and it presents the historical roots of the metaphor of the wall of separation between church and state. This documentary is designed to be used in worship services, as well as small groups to help people understand the current struggle in church/state relations in America. It is an honest and direct examination of the founding intent behind the First Amendment and of the greatest threat to religious freedom. Like the popular television show says; "another myth busted!"
As worship leaders, our most precious freedom is the freedom of religion. As we celebrate that great freedom this July, we must also use this opportunity to teach our people the truth about our freedom if we hope to remain free to worship according to our conscience.
Well, the Litton's are heading out onto the street to discover if yet another myth is true or just urban legend. We are in production of another documentary to discover truth about the judicial system in America.
For more information on "The Wall" visit www.fbnm.org.
Happy 4TH of July!
Ed Litton
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