The intersection of Church and State could be the corner on which a fanatical fundamentalist sets up his soap box to preach intolerance. In his audience might be the local congressman who ran for office on an agenda to do away with what he sees as godless liberals and their permissive lifestyles. He wants to legislate against the things that he does not believe in: abortion, gun control, gay marriage, and the like. In one pocket is a bible; in the other, Roberts Rules of Order. An American flag pin adorns his lapel. City leaders stand around, nodding affirmatively, shaking hands, saying “Good to see you, good to see you.”
A bookstore on one corner of the intersection sells religious books, bibles, and copies of the U.S. Constitution. People make purchases there using paper money printed by the U.S. treasury containing the words IN GOD WE TRUST. Across the street is the town hall. Since it is the holiday season, there is a crèche in front of the city building.
There is a church on another corner of the intersection where, just a month ago, people came to vote at the voting booths set up in the church Celebration Hall.
The armory sits on a forth corner. Army reservists meet there regularly to train and attend lectures on war-related subjects, such as how to recognize which god-fearing, gun-toting soldiers are the bad guys and which god-fearing, gun-toting soldiers are the good guys. No one ever mentions anything about god-fearing, gun-toting dead soldiers.
This is the intersection of Church and State as it could exist anywhere.