freedom of religion

… no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinion in matters of religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish enlarge, or affect their civil capacities.

* Separation of State Authority VII: political leaders should not express religious preferences in the course of their duties

* Separation of Religious Authority I: no church should prescribe, proscribe, or amend civil or common law.

* Separation of Religious Authority II: the church should not interfere in civil political processes or relations between the state and other nations.

* Separation of Religious Authority III: no church should actively endorse any political figure, and should confine itself to moral, ethical, and religious teaching.

* Separation of Religious Authority IV: no church should actively endorse any civil institution by providing religious services or religious expressions at that institution, nor favor one civil institution over another.

It seems quite a sensible and laudable approach, so how did America go from that thought to this?

July 6, 2007 — JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt today made the Alternatives to Abortion Program permanent and took action that will keep abortion providers like Planned Parenthood out of Missouri’s classrooms. Gov. Blunt signed legislation at Concord Baptist Church that enacts the provisions to further “protect the sanctity of human life”.

“All life is precious and needs to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect,” Gov. Blunt said. “I commend Rep. Therese Sander and Sen. Delbert Scott on their work to protect the rights of the most vulnerable members of our society. I will continue working with the Missouri General Assembly to pass strong pro-life legislation that respects the sanctity and dignity of all human life.”

“We here at Concord Baptist Church have prayed, preached, worked, and gone to the polls so that the lives of precious little ones may be saved. This is legislation that we can celebrate. House Bill 1055 will result in fewer abortions in Missouri. It is a good fair law that makes sense. I am excited to host Governor Blunt as he signs this progressive piece of legislation,” said Dr. Monte Shinkle, senior pastor at Concord Baptist Church.