what is the importance of the division of church and state in our laws?

That's a Liberal myth. Our country was founded on CHRISTIAN principles. Whatever we have to we have to keep the Liberals from taking away our right to pray! They have stolen Bibles and prayers from school but they won't stop until they have just ruined church for everyone. That's the truth!

Theoretically it is supposed to prevent laws being made based on religious beliefs (ie/the catholic church vs every gay person in the world)

It is also supposed to prevent laws interfering with church policies and practices.

Unfortunately in a country that funds religious education for one religion and refuses to acknowledge the others I find it hard to believe that we actually have this separation.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau said it best - "The state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation!"

I find it hard to understand someone saying theyve stolen bibles and prayer out of schools when THEY SHOULDNT HAVE BEEN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! You jesus freaks have your catholic schools. Quit your whining and leave the smart people alone

The importance is that you don't want a bunch of religious fanatics making laws that are prejudicial toward certain citizens, just because their religion sees something as unacceptable. No one should have to bow down to the religious beliefs of another person. That's what being in a "Free Country" is all about, being able to have not just freedom of religion, but freedom from religion, if you choose. No other person's religious beliefs should ever interfere with another person's " pursuit of happiness". When they do, it makes you wonder if you are still in a "free" country. Remember, the desire for "freedom of religion" was one of the reasons the Pilgrims fled England!

It is not in the constituition, the only reason it is brought up is so there is not one religion running the govt or being treated better because you are of that religion, all other issues are not what it was intended for.

It has been taken WAY too far these days by certain idiots

The state can not interfere in the church and the Church has no say in the state.

Theocracies tend to prevent the free exchange of ideas and principles especially when they may be perceived as a threat to the ones in power. Governments free of religion tend to promote an open exchange of ideas in all areas including religion.

P.S. to tdgains please read the Treaty of Tripoli