The WallBuilders Show

Dual Citizenship in America: A Constitutional Perspective

Tim Barton, David Barton & Rick Green

Today's episode dives deep into constitutional questions that reveal the complex interplay between America's founding principles and current debates about citizenship, federal funding, and religious foundations.

When a listener asks about dual citizenship, we uncover a fascinating historical shift. While America traditionally emphasized singular national loyalty, the Supreme Court's 1967 ruling dramatically changed citizenship policies. This transformation reflects broader cultural changes in how we view commitment—a shift from steadfast loyalty to seeking multiple options and escape hatches. The discussion raises profound questions about what happens when citizens maintain divided allegiances during challenging times.

The conversation takes an illuminating turn when examining claims about Planned Parenthood funding in recent legislation. What begins as a simple fact-check reveals the surprising power of unelected officials in the legislative process. The Senate parliamentarian's decision to reduce defunding from ten years to one demonstrates how procedural mechanisms can fundamentally alter major policy decisions with little public awareness.

Perhaps most compelling is our examination of the founding fathers' religious beliefs. When confronted with claims that figures like Jefferson, Franklin, and Madison were deists who rejected Christian principles, we present documented evidence that paints a dramatically different picture. Drawing from Professor Donald Lutz's comprehensive research analyzing 15,000 founding-era writings, we demonstrate that the Bible was the single most cited source (34%) in the founders' documents—far outpacing Montesquieu, Blackstone, and Locke.

The narrative of America being founded on anything other than predominantly Judeo-Christian principles simply doesn't withstand historical scrutiny. Benjamin Franklin's famous call for prayer during the Constitutional Convention hardly aligns with portraying him as a deist who believed in an uninvolved creator.

For those wanting to explore these topics further, visit wallbuilders.com for primary source documents and deeper insights into America's true constitutional foundations. These questions remind us that understanding our nation's principles requires moving beyond simplified narratives to embrace the rich complexity of our shared heritage.

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