We learned -- or should have -- during the Enlightenment, that theologically-based governments are doctrine-bound and fail to meet the demands of changing knowledge and needs -- witness Galilelo's imprisonment and the modern attempt to suppress the teaching of the basic biological phenomenon, evolution. Just look at the squabbles about matters of faith among the protestants, Catholics and Mormons in this country and the hysteria over Sharia law. If we need a modern-day laboratory about faith-based government, all you have to do is look at Israel and the tensions between the secular and orthodox Jews over how to run the country. The lessons of history are plain and stark -- for example the Saint Batholomew's Day Massacre of protestants by Catholics. Remember Mohandas Ghandi's admonition that all religions are equally valid -- the precise reason why governments should be secular. Freedom of religion depends on freedom from religion..
NY Times Discussion
Judge not lest ye be judged, my very self-righteous pals. Put Christ or cops in gay bedrooms? Kill murderers for God's sake? Stop giving to the poor, the kids, the farm workers w/o papers? Preach Armageddon's eternal barbecue but say "I luv ya, Jew. I is a Jew"? Say "no" to taxing rich people or their estates, but cut Medicare for the elderly? Back breaks for sugar farmers but not mortgage-holders? Hate Darwin, Marx, Einstein, Keynes. Denigrate university professors and celebrate fake plumbers and half-governors who don't read papers or books? Put Christianity above all other religions, 'cuz except for Paine, Jefferson, Franklin, and a few others, the "originalists" was us?
I am sorry. I have great love for Christian civilization, religious history, and ideas. But when redneck, know-nothings in the US try to fit their biases around my neck, PLEASE don't pretend either the Founding Fathers or the Patriarchs would back you. Or if you think they DO, explain why some stoned fallen women and we won't, some allowed slavery and we don't. Chill, my evangoservative friends. Practice tolerance, charity, and kindness Keep YOUR specialized deities out of my bedroom, wallet, school board, and White House. Leave them to the progressive, liberal, educated Americans who can't make sense out of Palin, Bachmann, Santorum, Perry, Cain, Gingrich. Love us. We help the US do good works that SOME regard as holy. Try it, you'll like it. Be evangelical but be a true democrat at it. Yes, you can.