Barton Controversy Comes to Montana Prayer Breakfast; Governor Declines to Attend
The David Barton controversy has come to Montana. According to the Missoula Independent:
Former state legislator Scott Mendenhall sounds disappointed. On the morning of Feb. 26, he learned that Gov. Steve Bullock won’t attend the annual Montana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast.
….
At issue is the breakfast’s keynote speaker, David Barton. Barton has garnered national headlines for his revisionist teachings, pro-life advocacy and calls to criminalize homosexuality, all of which would seem to run contrary to Bullock’s politics. According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “The scary thing about David Barton is that he has the ear of so many.”
The governor’s office is playing down the issue saying the governor did not know he was expected to attend. Activists of various persuasions apparently raised red flags about Barton’s attendance which was enough to cause the disclaimer.
I am looking into whether or not this Montana prayer breakfast is affiliated with the National Prayer Breakfast. Barton is slated to speak at a prayer breakfast in Kansas. According to sources within the Fellowship, the Kansas group is not affiliated with the national Fellowship.
Unfortunately it is pretty sloppy reporting. For example, the article says:
“For decades, the Prayer Breakfast, … has drawn lawmakers, ministers and the state’s top officials ”
But it doesn’t say how often the governor as attended, which would be useful to know when the current governor’s office says he didn’t know he was expected to attend.
Further there is no evidence it was specifically Barton that drove the governor away. For example, from the article:
“Mendenhall says he was unaware of any controversy associated with Barton.”
Any group that doesn’t realize Barton is controversial is probably a little to the right of reality, which suggests there are probably other things about this group that might have driven the governor away.
Thanks for the laugh!
Thanks for the laugh!
These “prayer breakfasts” seem nothing more than the religious equivalent of business “power lunches.” I suppose that comes with the incorporation of religion into megachurches and political action committees.
Though it is very vague, I still love it.
These “prayer breakfasts” seem nothing more than the religious equivalent of business “power lunches.” I suppose that comes with the incorporation of religion into megachurches and political action committees.
Though it is very vague, I still love it.
Here is the blurb on Barton on the prayer breakfast website (www.montanagpb.com):
David Barton heads WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America’s forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage.
David is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects being drawn largely from his massive library-museum of tens of thousands of original writings, documents, and artifacts from early America. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year.
There is also a Facebook page for the event: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Montana-Governors-Prayer-Breakfast/149108888579443?ref=stream
Further there is no evidence it was specifically Barton that drove the governor away.
Hm. Very sharp observation. Post hoc ergo propter hoc, eh?
FTR, I think he’s far too divisive a figure [and overtly partisan activist] for something presumably bipartisan and unifying like a prayer breakfast.
Here is the blurb on Barton on the prayer breakfast website (www.montanagpb.com):
David Barton heads WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America’s forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on our moral, religious, and constitutional heritage.
David is the author of numerous best-selling books, with the subjects being drawn largely from his massive library-museum of tens of thousands of original writings, documents, and artifacts from early America. He also addresses well over 400 groups each year.
There is also a Facebook page for the event: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Montana-Governors-Prayer-Breakfast/149108888579443?ref=stream
Unfortunately it is pretty sloppy reporting. For example, the article says:
“For decades, the Prayer Breakfast, … has drawn lawmakers, ministers and the state’s top officials ”
But it doesn’t say how often the governor as attended, which would be useful to know when the current governor’s office says he didn’t know he was expected to attend.
Further there is no evidence it was specifically Barton that drove the governor away. For example, from the article:
“Mendenhall says he was unaware of any controversy associated with Barton.”
Any group that doesn’t realize Barton is controversial is probably a little to the right of reality, which suggests there are probably other things about this group that might have driven the governor away.
Further there is no evidence it was specifically Barton that drove the governor away.
Hm. Very sharp observation. Post hoc ergo propter hoc, eh?
FTR, I think he’s far too divisive a figure [and overtly partisan activist] for something presumably bipartisan and unifying like a prayer breakfast.