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First, there is no "separation of church and state" or similar language to be found in the Constitution or Amendments. It is a myth, a fabrication, but there is some histories that may have led some to believe this could be the case. The first amendment says nothing about the separation of church and state. James Madison's original draft of the first amendment states, "The civil rights of none shall be abridged on account of religious belief or worship, nor shall any national religion be established, nor shall the full and equal rights of conscience be in any manner, nor on any pretext infringed." The final house version of the first amendment as written by Fisher Ames states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment or religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." To the authors knowledge this has nothing to do with the separation of church and state. It only says there will be no laws made that benefit any religion. This does not say the church has no influence over any government issues. In fact, the sway of the church is a very prominent voice within our government. .
The problem is not that the church is running the show, but that the politicians use religion to sway the ideas of the public. George W. Bush said on national television "this crusade, this war on terrorism." to rouse the religious feelings of the voter public. According to the government census, 52.7% of America is Christian. That is a very large percentage when you take into consideration all of the other religions that exist. With this fact in mind, President Bush turned the conflict into a religious war. Although it should not matter what god a person prays to, many people out there will roll over when you say that god would want it. An Alabama chief justice won his office by using the quip "Alabama's Ten-Commandment judge." He keeps the Ten Commandments in the courthouse on display for everyone to see.
