"There is no such source and cause of strife, quarrel, fights, malignant opposition, persecution, and war, and all evil in the state, as religion. Let it once enter our civil affairs, our government would soon be destroyed. Let it once enter our common schools, they would be destroyed." Supreme Court of Wisconsin, Weiss v. District Board, 1890-MAR-18.
             Religious faith can be a powerful force, either for good or evil. When the U.S. Constitution was written, the country's political leaders were well aware of the many decades of religiously-motivated strife that had resulted in so many deaths throughout Europe. In order to avoid transplanting religious hatreds from Europe to America, they incorporated the Establishment Clause into the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. As interpreted by various courts, it requires a separation between church and state. This seems to be a beneficial relationship that has served the country well: Church affiliation and attendance in the U.S. are the highest of all industrialized nations.
             The USA has relative peace among followers of different religions, and of no religion. The country has avoided the type of religiously-based conflicts, civil wars, crimes against humanity, and genocides which have occurred in so many other countries.
             Many of the religious organizations throughout the country are healthy and vigorous.
             The principle of separation of church and state affects all government functions, including public schools. In 1948, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that religious instruction in public school was unconstitutional. In 1963, it ruled that mandatory reading of Bible verses or prayers are similarly unconstitutional. However, the same First Amendment guarantees that students may engage in many forms of non-disruptive personal religious expression, including the wearing of religious clothing and jewelry. They can pray (individually or in student-led groups) on the school bus, a...