Churches, synagogues and mosques have their own lofty lessons to teach. Church and state have separate fundings. At least they should. It is none of the business of government to collect taxes for any religiously affiliated outfit. Church and state have their own methods.
Coercion is appropriate sometimes necessary for government.
Religious institutions in this country must depend upon persuasion. All of that makes us different from much of the world and we like it. Yet, there is room, no even a requirement, for the institutions of religion and government to interact. Separation of church and state does not mean separation of God from government or separation of people of faith from their citizenship or even separation of religion from politics. That's precisely why it is so difficult for us to find the proper role, the right relationship, the delicate balance, always reaching for hope reeling toward despair.