By maintaining the separation of church and state, the United States has avoided the intolerance which has so divided the rest of the world with religious wars. … Can any of us refute the wisdom of Madison and the other framers? Can anyone look at the carnage in Iran, the bloodshed in Northern Ireland or the bombs bursting in Lebanon and yet question the dangers of injecting religious issues into the affairs of state?

Barry Goldwater (1909-1998) American politician

Speech, US Senate (15 Sep 1981)