The "Wall of Separation" Strengthens

A new Pew survey reveals that a slim majority favor keeping churches out of politics. For the first time in over a decade, attitudes have shifted away from religious groups' having influence over political issues.

Here's the big kicker:

"Overall, the number of people who say churches should not endorse political candidates is up slightly, but among Republicans it is up 11 points, and among white evangelical Republicans it is up 19 points," said Greg Smith, a research fellow at the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

Time to increase calls for churches to back off politics. Jerry Falwell is dead, his Moral Majority long obsolete. Pat Robertson increasingly sounds like a candidate for a straightjacket and a padded cell. Ted Haggard is coming to terms with being gay and trying to kick meth. John Hagee has fallen off the front page of the corporate media. Ralph Reed is a disgrace with a dead political career. Jeremiah Wright has faded into the background. Even the Pope's voice hardly rises above the din of arguments over how many houses McCan't owns and can't influence the discussion over when life begins. Only Rick Warren has made a splash, albeit a minor one that will quickly fade once the conventions begin.

Maybe, just maybe, reason can return to political debate. Hope is still alive.