As for the separation of church and state as it was intended....oh boy is that a huge can of worms! Too many statements such as this in Washington's Farewell Address to say that the founders wanted freedom from religion as the man who put up the display in my state capital want.
Freedom of religion is how the Bill of Rights reads. Of. That means for BBO to do as he believes and for me to as well. But I see no reason to put him and his beliefs down in front of the world, as this man is doing to not just Christians but anyone of any faith, Christian, Muslin, Bhuddist, Satanist,...Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere Politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexions with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
