Just wanted to put that up so we know what we're talking about.
I read it, as I'm sure you do, that the United States government, and by extension the states since the 14th Amendment, cannot establish a "state" religion, nor can they prohibit the people to practice religion as they see fit. No ACLU involved.
"Pointing out that the Founding Fathers did not seek to create a Theocracy, says nothing at all about their personal value systems."
We agree. I made no comment about their personal values; which are, to say the least, to determine now, as it is near impossible to know what is in a man's heart. We do have what they DID, though, and that is above.
My point was that that clause does not say what you and others have read into it. It does not say that Congress shall make no law establishing a religion. It goes well beyond that. It says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. That obviously would include an attempt to establish a religion. It also, however, clearly includes a prohibition on interfering with existing establishments of religion.
The Founding Fathers expected the States to openly promote religious values. Jefferson, the author of the Act that disestablished the State Church in Virginia, premised his Act on the Will of the Creator, in giving man Free Will. Read the Act. He also sought to promote religion at the University of Virginia, which he considered a prouder accomplishment than being President.
For how the ACLU has distorted Constitutional Law in this area, see Leftwing Word Games & Religious Freedom.