Bryan Martin wrote:

It is quite clear even from a cursory examination of history that the
founders of the United States strongly believed that the State and the
Church should be separate entities; that the State should not dictate
religious beliefs to the people and the Church should not control the
political process. That was the situation in England; the Anglican Church
was the official religion of England all others were banned and their
adherents persecuted. This was one of the reasons people came to America and
one of the reasons for the revolution.

Ironically, it was New England Baptists who were concerned about separation
of church and state because those same original colonial Puritans held a
hegemony that wasn't in the Baptists' best interests.

On the other hand, it is not the job of government to keep religion out of
the public schools but the government may not sponsor religion in the public
schools nor allow religious displays to cause disruptions of classes in
public schools. In short, there is no low prohibiting prayer in public
schools but it is unlawful to stand up in the middle of class and start
shouting sermons.

Heck, I recall old Stormin' Norman Johnson doin' a lot of secular
hollerin'. A couple others too. Then there was the math teacher who used to
whack us on the head with his college class ring when we'd get out of line.

I've seen a couple preachers as demonstrative as these guys, but I dunno if
I'd care to see 'em again. ;-)

- Scott