Is there truly a seperation of Church and State?

Although I did not have the opportunity to attend the event this past Monday, The Daily Pennsylvania recapped a discussion led by guest speaker James Wilson, a public-policy professor at Pepperdine University in California. In his speech he discussed the religious benefits the United States reaps as a result of its secular government, and the importance of such a government in promoting religious tolerance. According to his argument, "...the benefits of religion are the most important when the government is not itself religious and enforces fair rules among those who are religious."

"American democracy has helped shape American religion," he said, "just as much as American religion has contributed to American democracy." In essence, the United States experiences a "free market" of religions--American citizens are able to freely choose what and whom they believe in. As a result, they embrace their own, unique identity, and although they are (or aren't if they don't wish to be) part of an organized religious community, they are able to maintain a sense of individualism if they so please.

Another interesting point in Professor Wilson's argument is that, according to several surveys, people who are religious obey the law more often than not, have economic success, and usually tend to live in two-parent families that donate to charities. Therefore, a secular government that promotes religious freedom, also promotes economic and social benefits for a city, state, etc.

It is important to notice the limplicit ink between religion and government here, although the United States has long promoted the seperation of the two entities. Essentially, they are not completely divorced of each other.