07-26-2017, 12:56 PM
Old Croc - yes, the establishment clause has been interpreted to mean that the gov't should not favor any religion. Having ANY advantages, tax or otherwise, bc you are a religion is favoring a religion. Allowing prayer in school is favoring a religion. Allowing 'In God We Trust' on currency is favoring a religion. Saying "One nation, under God" is favoring a religion. (I personally still say, "One nation, indivisible...") Allowing voting in a church is favoring religion. The list goes on and on. Therefore, the ONLY way to avoid favoring a religion - let's face it, we're talking Christianity - is to keep government and religion totally separate. I do acknowledge, however, that that is federal rules. I don't believe there's anything stopping a state, unless it's in their own state constitution, from favoritism when it comes to religion. I hope Hawaii leads the way.