Western Politics - Is there really a separation between the Church and the State?

[EricVJared]

Does the "Church" have too much influence in politics today? Specifically the current US elections?

[ProtectiveGrace]

Their is supposed to be, and when these two get too close together, legal action can be taken. With religious populations though, it is very difficult to get them to separate their politics from religion. Sometimes this is inevitable, and other times it crosses lines. Sometimes this is just fine, others it is obstructive to the political process.

I know religion, particularly Christianity, holds strong influence over US elections, but the church does not.

[BettyDFord]

The state should not promote one specific religion. I'm fine with that creed. That's probably the best way to leave it without going into a much wider discussion.

[CarlLOlson]

There is no separation these days!

The only line that is never crossed is the government having an official church. However, the un-official church is abundantly clear, and any politician not belonging to that church is frowned upon.

[FullofGoodness]

There has never been a religion that wasnt a little bit political, nor Politics that hasn't been a little bit religious.
Religion was the form of government in the world at one time, there is no better way for governments to control the populations, than through religious convictions.

[NicoleJWilliams]

nmtgirl sums it up well. America is supposed to be a nation of religious freedom and has the most diverse religious organizations of any country on the planet, yet Christianity prevails as the dominate religion and unless you are a Christian you stand little chance of being elected to a public office. These days an atheist doesn't have a chance, yet many of the nation's founders were atheists or deists. Two or three hundred years ago, religion was not the drug it has turned out to be.

It bewilders me how so many people are caught up in religious nonsense.