Separation of Church and State

Religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation …

…pits religious groups against one another in competition for funds. Over 10 years, organizations could qualify for as much as $23 billion in revenue — a dangerous temptation for churches struggling to fund community programs on collection basket change. Religious groups vying for federal tax dollars might be tempted to create half-baked programs — just to bring in revenue. This type of moral corruption isn't something church leaders are proud of — but it is a potential (and disappointing) reality