The attempt mentioned in the first paragraph is, properly, only to prevent **governmental** pronouncements and displays of faith. Government must remain neutral in order to represent and respect all citizens and all faiths, as well as those without faith. By characterizing the arena as [any] public pronouncement or display of faith, the writer sets up a straw man, the better to knock it down.
No serious critic attempts to prevent anyone - in their role as a private citizen - to pronounce or display their faith in public. For instance, any citizen can pray to themselves at a city council meeting all they want, and they can offer prayers during public comment, but the city officials - when acting in their role as a city official - must maintain neutrality.
Re: “Faith, politics, and the founders”
The attempt mentioned in the first paragraph is, properly, only to prevent **governmental** pronouncements and displays of faith. Government must remain neutral in order to represent and respect all citizens and all faiths, as well as those without faith. By characterizing the arena as [any] public pronouncement or display of faith, the writer sets up a straw man, the better to knock it down.
No serious critic attempts to prevent anyone - in their role as a private citizen - to pronounce or display their faith in public. For instance, any citizen can pray to themselves at a city council meeting all they want, and they can offer prayers during public comment, but the city officials - when acting in their role as a city official - must maintain neutrality.