http://www.huffingtonpost.com/byron-williams/church-state-and-a-whole_b_31804.ht...
10.16.2006
Church, State and a whole and Lot of Pandering
Though not explicitly stated in the Constitution, most Americans accept the
notion that there is a wall that separates church and state. The phrase
"separation of church and state is derived from a letter written by Thomas
Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist.
Because it has been a notion rather than unambiguous law, the concept has
been challenged over the years.
The president's public expressions of faith, along with the expansion of
the faith-based-initiative polices have solidified an evangelical base for
which assumed destiny trumps facts, reason, and self-reflection.
But recent disclosures by notable conservatives suggest that just below the
surface of pious rhetoric lies perhaps political pandering at its worst.
Consider this recent exchange between conservative talk show host Tucker
Carlson and Chris Matthews on the "Chris Matthews Show" as to how the GOP
views it evangelical base:
Carlson: The deep truth is that the elites in the Republican Party have
pure contempt for the evangelicals who put their party in power.
