You have a flawed understanding of history. The founders were well aware and openly said that this country was based on Christian principles and that they were necessary to the success of any government of the people. Oaths are taken on the Bible. Look at what is on our coins and currency, "in God We Trust."
The founders did say, in the 1st Amendment, that the government could not establish a religion (in other words have a State Religion) nor could it prevent the free exercise of a religion. In other words, there would be no Divine Right of Kings where the church and crown were intertwined.
You are correct. I did not mean to imply that religion and government have to be completely separated. It is not the function of our government to promote 1 religion or denomination over another, but to allow free expression to all. We are a predominantly Christian nation, the idea that the founding fathers meant we couldn’t have a nativity scene or a cross on public property is crazy. I have no problem with prayer in public schools, it would be a welcome addition. But, at the same time, I do believe it was their intent to have lines. Look at the Constitution, it doesn’t give us any rights. It only limits the government from infringing on our rights. So, prayer in school is fine, as long as students aren’t forced to pray. As I said earlier, you are correct. But, I do believe the intent of our founding fathers was not to keep religion out of the government, but the government out of religion. For this to happen, we need to have lines. Government funding of faith based programs is a line I believe we shouldn’t cross. I apologize if I was not clear in my earlier post. Respectfully—JM