In reply to Clovis Wendt.

Melanchthon (and Luther) did not believe in freedom of religion, and lived in an era of absolute monarchs. Our Constitution gives EVERYONE (Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, atheist, Satanist, etc.) freedom to practice his or her beliefs. The government has no right to "destroy idols"--we call that religious persecution. What if the government doesn't agree with your definition of an "idol"? Some Christians think it's wrong to have a crucifix ("We worship a risen Savior, not a dead one"). Some Christians think statues of Mary or other saints are idolatrous. Should the government be able to destroy crucifixes and smash statuary as "idols"? Remember, those ancient rulers didn't just ban Lucifer from the courthouse lawn. They banned pagan worship, entered and vandalized temples, and fined, imprisoned or executed pagan worshipers. Giving the government power to promote "good religion" is re-opening Pandora's box. Keep government out of the religion business--period. Lutherans used to be strong supporters of church-state separation...what happened?