I missed this paragraph the first time through. It's intellectually dishonest not to point out that, while the Constitution forbids the establishment of a federal religion, it makes no such rule for the various States, most of which had established religions at the time.
"Allen neglects one argument for her thesis that the United States is a 'secular project':
the Constitution mandates the establishment of a political truth by guaranteeing each state the same form of government ("republican"). It does so because the founders thought the most important political truths are knowable. But because they thought religious truths are unknowable, they proscribed the establishment of religion."
I missed this paragraph the first time through. It's intellectually dishonest not to point out that, while the Constitution forbids the establishment of a federal religion, it makes no such rule for the various States, most of which had established religions at the time.
A '"Republican Form of Government" for "Every State in this Union" effectively prevents an official state religion from being instituted in a new states proposed constitution. -- As Utah found out in its 40 year fight for statehood.
And the "religious Test" clause of Article VI stops a State from using an 'established religion' in any official capacity; "-- as a Qualification to any office or public Trust under the United States. --"