[Jewbacca]

“No there were others that had separation. The ones you mentioned were religions where the leader was a god.”

I am fully prepared to believe you, but I can’t think of other examples.

And certainly none that effected Western Civilization like the Jewish concept of separation of government and priest.

In Western Civilization, this Jewish idea of separation combined with the Greek and Roman ideas of a democratic republic and slowly has grown to be accepted throughout the world (again, notably excepting Islamic countries).

[Varda]

Many ancient leaders were like King David not the religious leader but had a religious mandate. God(s)wanted them to rule. We see this in the temples and prayers left behind. For example Nebuchadnezzar built temples to Marduk (sp?) and is famous for his prayers to this god.
Most of the last 1500 years of western civilization was like this, while the kings weren't God or leaders of the church, they were not secular and were expected to uphold Christianity.

I think a previous poster has a point about the the 3 items the author lists. These would be the result of divine revelation rather than culture if you're a believer. They're only a result of culture if you're not.

Whatever the author believes the second point is a good one. Many pagan societies made deities out of parts of nature. Many times these deities were malevolent. The religions that followed often were aimed at deflecting harm. The god of the Bible is decidedly not like that.