re: The purpose of separation of church and state

It was the intention of the Founding Fathers that Americans would not be required to participate in religious activities but that they would always have the privilege to believe and practice the religion of their choice. You are not required to attend church but if you are walking down the street and hear a guy preaching on the sidewalk, you cannot stop him from doing so. In this and similar instances, you cannot be truly free from exposure to religion.