May God Bless America - in spite of our many faults

Yes?? That's a surprise to you? Freedom of religion is a uniquely Protestant Christian concept. The founding fathers, inspired by Biblical principles, sought to escape the tyrannical church + state theocracies of Europe. Separating God ordained civil government (Romans 13) from God ordained institutions such as Israel and the Church.

Such were our pilgrim forefathers seeking to escape the corrupt Church of England to worship as they saw fitting and freedom to criticize counterfeit religions without fear of the state.

Something the LGBT movement is trying to reverse today with their "equality act". You must either change your religious beliefs to accept their perversions or face wrath of the state. (fortunately it will not pass with our great President at the helm!)

I guess I hit a nerve, aye? Sorry Octavia. Good questions!

God established Israel as a theocracy to rule the world, with Him as head, until they rejected His rule and asked for a King like other nations. "they have rejected me from being king over them" (I Sam. 8:4-18) He appointed a "King" Saul, along side the High Priest, and so began the separation of "church" and state. Later, Babylon and King Nebucadnezzer was endorsed as the first Gentile sovereign govt. separate from Israel. (book of Daniel). Continuing to today. (Romans 13 gives a good summary)

Someday soon, Christ will return and rule the earth from Jerusalem, restoring the theocracy and sovereign rule of Israel over the world. With today's flawed and often corrupt leaders, separation is a good thing, until the "good" King returns to do the job himself.

I agree many early colonies first followed the tradition of the church of England, ruling in a theocratic and tyrannical way, but eventually they all agreed that separation of powers was the best way. Church and State EQUAL but separate.

"God established Israel as a theocracy to rule the world, with Him as head"

False.
Yahweh is tribal God. That's why the Chosen who worship Him were located in Judea.

Jesus told his Disciples that he would return within their lifetimes.
He didn't.

The Church of England got its name because it IS the Church of England, as in a vehicle for political (then royal) rule.

Separation of Church and State is not how it has come to be understood. Individual States were allowed to have state religions. The separation was in terms of Congress being barred from establishing one on the Federal level.
Further, religion was not equal to gov't, merely recognized and established by States if they so chose.