Let's look at what the 1st Amendment really says and does. To say that the state must expunge any religious practice or iconography or even reference to religion in the public or private sector is to violate the second part of this clause. We cannot deny that we are human and religion is a fundamental aspect of human dynamics. Whether it should or should not be so is not within the power of the state. The 1st Amendment also limits religion. However by its language it does not and indeed cannot do so directly lest it violate itself. This is the beauty of the actual wording.

Americans have misinterpreted the intent of the 1st Amendment. We have come to understand that to allow religion any mention in official capacity is to endorse a religion. This is clearly wrong.