Is separation of church and state still important?

More important then ever. There are so many religions out there that government has to be "non-denominational"

 A correct reference to the best of my knowledge. It may be relevant to try and understand the historical context of this concept. I believe the intent was that government should not integrate power vested in a "state" church with political responsibility and power as was de facto practice in England where the King partially derived his power via his  allegiance to the Church of England, often used to suppress or repress other religions. The interpretation today is a perversion and I don't think this concept was ever intended to stop people from praying in public schools or referencing God in government ceremony or practice. The founding fathers were devout believers.

<p>On the flip side, many who roll out the "free exercise of religion," especially when it comes to its use in government, really only choose to allow the free exercise of their specific religion and get angry when other religions try to exercise their beliefs in the same or similar manner.</p><p><br></p><p>I disagree with your assessment of Thomas Jefferson's "Separation of Church and State" quote.&nbsp; Here is the quote in context:</p><p><br></p><p>"<font face="Arial" size="4">Because religious belief, or non-belief, is such an important part of every person's life, freedom of religion affects every individual. Religious institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine all our civil rights. Moreover, state support of an established religion tends to make the clergy unresponsive to their own people, and leads to corruption within religion itself. Erecting the "wall of separation between church and state," therefore, is absolutely essential in a free society."</font></p><p><br></p><p><font face="Arial" size="4">It&nbsp;seems to me that Jefferson was clearly&nbsp;addressing the fact that religious institutions, churches,&nbsp;that would use government power to support&nbsp;any religion were contrary to the civil rights of the people.&nbsp; This&nbsp;doesn't seem to be concerning government meddling in religious affairs at all.</font>&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>I support the right of all people to practice their faith or lack-thereof how and when they want.&nbsp; I do not, however, support them with government dollars or time - unless those dollars and time are equally available to ALL religions.&nbsp; And to bring this back into a military context - how many "prayer breakfasts" for we all been to?&nbsp; Aside from the Bible, how many other religious books are read from and how many other gods are openly prayed to at those events?&nbsp; For me, aside from the ones I personally influenced as&nbsp; Company Commander, the answer is zero.</p>