Should Church and State be kept separate?

Interesting question. The problem you have and has been noted by the other answers is that even with a strict separation the only thing accomplished is that the church itself does not directly control the government. The reality is that if I as a religious person of The Church (meant to be vague) were to be elected to a government position of influence I can, and likely will, influence government in ways that reflect my religion.

Nothing can be done to stop that. And nothing can be done to stop The Church from organizing candidates to run for office with a common goal/theme.

So to answer the original question - I feel there should be a strict seperation so that freedom of religious choice is not compromised, though I recognize that religion will always influence politics

Religion always plays a part in government when talking about fundamentalist Christians...however I do think that Church and State need to be kept separate for the reason you listed. There are so many religions out there that it seems unfair to be partial to one of them and that's what it would have to come down to. George Bush was put in office by catering to fundamentalist Christians. It's scary but they have a pull here and I don't quite know why.

There may be influence due if majority of people belong to one religion. How ever religion should not have any thing to do with state as it f****** up big time. ( Intolerance and violence)...

Best example Turkey .. it has Muslim population but religion does not play any part in state affairs. However there is of course influence by religious leader for and against government decisions. which in a way a good thing to keep the democracy. but they have no direct effect in steering of the state.

I am not sure if this process is still carried out in Turkey as there is a new goverment. I just hope it does..

Did you know that George Bush was actually introduced at Camp David as "Our Born-Again Commander-in Chief"? Theocracy, to a great extent, is already here. A year ago there was a book fair in the lobby of the Federal building on Varick Street in NYC. They were selling Christian books! In a Federal building, for god's sake. (pun intended)

Why do you think the American public is being brainwashed to hate Islam? Probably because the tactics used during the Spanish Inquisition would shock the American public, so they have to rely on softer techniques. (except at Guantanamo Bay)

So, maybe your question should deal with protecting our rights under the

Constitution ---Or protecting the Constitution, itself.

Those f-ing christian politicians, I hate them all. Especially Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Adams.............. - oh wait. I guess I sound as ignorant as the other people answering this question.

If you understood the legal documents which form the foundation which our government is based on, the term separation of church and state appears nowhere.

The implication from the 1st amendment is that government should not restrict a person from practicing religion.

The fact that God appears in virtually every document which forms the basis of our government apparently is a coincidence.

Yes indeed, state and religion ought to be separated from each other.

Look at some of the Arab states there religious freaks kill one another for nothing, really nothing as both the Holy Book and other book in the same subject are poetry. As poetry, they are of course not false, but poems.

I agree with you about religion and politics should not mix becuase there are mahy peligions in the US and many people who dont have a religion too. You shouldnt force your belief on people, that may cause a war in the US against americans!

They should be separate but religion should not be excluded.Our constitution mentions god.It is where we get our morals and code of law.We should be free to chose what religion.This is why our government has the three branches to keep a check and balance on things.

Look at your governments currency (USA) "In God We Trust" Is on the bills you spend everyday. Church and State collide all the time. Is it right? I don't believe so. Atheists shouldn't be paid for work in bills stating they trust in God. As well as anyone ever be prosecuted for a belief. When you bring church into state it creates turmoil.

No, the religious freaks would be the downfall of society. Keep them seperate. Religion is all fictional so why base state on false beliefs?