Separate? Church & State. It's a nice and vital concept, but its eroding more and more. Designed to keep religion in check as to its role in government. Not withstanding moral issues, not to be confused with religious issues, government is not suppose to be influenced by religion... any religion. Yet exactly the opposite is happening with alarming frequently. Religion remains active, and is ever increasing its influence upon government, so that religious beliefs are forced upon everyone via government policies and laws. Religious activity continues to lobby to dictate laws in accordance with religion. And while everyone is guaranteed the religious freedom to believe as you wish, and live their life as they so choose, freedom from religion is a fading if non existent concept. Freedom from religion to influence government and laws in theory sounds nice, but those that advocate freedom of religion, care nothing about freedom from religion. We all pay taxes to enjoy government by the people, for the people, that maintains and elevates our freedoms. Churches pay no taxes, yet want an active roles in government. Perhaps if they paid (via taxes) for the privilege of influencing laws that affect everyone, there would be less resentment of the churches role in government. So there it is... believe what you will. Think what you will. What gives churches & religion any rights to greatly influence government to rule everyone? Separation of church & state? In reality, not so much.
