re: The purpose of separation of church and state

quote:

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It was to keep the government out of the church business

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It was also very much to keep the church out of governmental affairs. Look at how the Vatican controlled so many European governments for centuries. Then do a little study on the church of England and see how that went.

Churches, like government, lose sight of their purpose when they wield too much power. In the case of the church we can see how the leaders became corrupted by riches and power and made use of their "divine right" to demand more and more of the laity whom they increasingly oppressed.

By the same token, we see how riches and power corrupt secular governments as well. Our federal government is a prime example. Just as the church declared their authority came from the divine will of God, our government claims their authority comes from the divine will of the people. But, truth be told, the church had become corrupted and the manner in which it ruled in no way resembled the will of God. And, in our current situation here in the US, we can see that despite the fact that the people get to vote for their representatives, senators, and president, those who attain office do little to serve those by whom they were elected and seek only to increase their own power and wealth as they accept gifts, bribes, and praises for the favors they dole out to the highest bidder.

The absolute LAST thing we need is a government who declares itself the divine hand of God anymore than they already to without so many words.