It can have a secular purpose and have a relationship to God because God was presumed to be both over the state and the church, and separation of church and state was never meant to separate God from government.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
But separation of church and state was never meant to separate God and government.
We have this idea in our minds that there's this separation of church and state in America, which I think is a good thing. And we extend that to our politics - not just church and state, but it's also there's a separation of religion and politics. But of course there isn't.
I don't believe there is a separation of church and state. I think the Constitution is very clear. The only separation is that there will not be a government church.
Quite often you hear people say, 'What about separation of church and state?' There is no such thing.
If marriage really is a sacred institution, then why is the government controlling it, especially in a nation that affirms separation of church and state?
To speak against religion (the Christian) is breaking down the bond of good government.
I don't believe in an America where the separation of church and state is absolute. The idea that the church can have no influence or no involvement in the operation of the state is absolutely antithetical to the objectives and vision of our country.
There are some who invoke separation of church and state - to try to get the government out of the business of morality - but this is antithetical to what the founders wanted. The founders wanted to keep theology out of government so that government could focus on the proper business of morality.
The Church's role should be separated from the state's role.
The separation of church and state was meant to protect church from state; a state that declares religion off limits in public life is a state that declares itself supreme over all religious values.