That's what it's for

Then why all the controversy, evangelical influence

@bobwjr Who knows? Ask them.

They get brownie points for conversions.

Check out where they were starting religious police in deep south

Perhaps not a religious state as a evangelical state with no abortions,school prayer, God based government, state with their religious views

I would say you are wrong, They want the state to enforce their religious stances, that is asking for a religious state. Just because they do not advocate overthrow of the government and repacement, they do try to remove people that disagree with their religious opinions.

@bobwjr I think you are referring to my state. A large church run university received permission to have a police force to provide security for their campus. How is that establishing a religious state?

@bobwjr, @glennlab They have every right to advocate for their interests, just as all groups do.

@WilliamFleming your resonse is in direct conflict with your statement that they are not doing exactly what you say they have a right to do

@glennlab They are NOT calling for a religious state and to claim that they do is nothing but hyperbole.

Are you advocating for an atheist state? Maybe you should look at the constitution where it talks about the free exercise of religion.

@WilliamFleming Yes BUT, should Atheists, etc, try doing the same we are, more often than not, harassed, persecuted, etc, etc, since WE have NO actual Legal Rights to bring our thoughts, etc, to the forefront.

@Triphid I thought everyone had the right to bring their thoughts, etc to the forefront. Maybe you are being sarcastic?

@Triphid, @Deiter There seems to be no end of these left-leaning sources that are busily promoting hatred, fear and division through demonization and stereotyping. Maybe you believe that a grand conspiracy is afoot—not me, but even if there were it would get nowhere. Protestants are fractured and unorganized and have no unified platform. Historically it has been the Catholic Church that wielded political power.

@WilliamFleming Were I trying to be sarcastic you would have realized it immediately, unless of course you were as dull as a box of butter knives that is.
Any religious group/follower/s can legal stand on ANY street corner, or anywhere else for that matter, and preach/distribute religious pamphlets and paraphernalia and NOT come afoul of the Law because the Law states that they have the right.
Should an Atheist try doing the same, chances are that at least ONE religious person WILL complain to the police and the Atheist WILL be told to cease, desist and move on OR be Charged with Creating a Public Disturbance or Nuisance.
A very recent case, somewhat similar to this, occurred here in Australia when a Radio Show host made a harmless joke about the 'Virgin (????) Mary' on his radio show.
ONE Faithfool took exception to his very mild and harmless joke and now he face vilification, etc.
Also, in December, 2011, a good Atheist friend of mine stood on a corner directly opposite to a group of Jehovah's Witnesses and started handing out what he called the "Atheist Answers to the bible Truths," after handing out almost 1,100 copies to interested passer-by and receiving countless handshakes and encouraging comments, the police arrived, stated that HE had caused a disturbance to the peace of the Jehovah's Witnesses, was arrested, charged, attended Court and fined 750 Dollars and placed on a 12 month Good Behaviour Bond.
His defense statement that he was merely " standing well clear of the passage of pedestrians/passers-by and had his back against a wall, his small table also against the same wall and DID NOT solicit in any way for person to accept his pamphlets," was ruled as being Inadmissible by the Magistrate since according the Magistrate " He was acting in direct and blatant opposition to Rights of the Jehovah's Witnesses and Christianity as a whole."
Is THAT TRUE freedom of Speech in action OR merely a bastardized version where ANYONE who IS Religious IS FREE to speak and anyone else MUST remain silent?

@Triphid What you say is disturbing. Maybe I am overly optimistic, but I tend to think that such things would not happen in the US. Courts would be bound by law to support the free speech of atheists as well as everyone else, even Nazis. In some places there could be a protest against the atheists however. I doubt there would be violence over the issue of religious opinion.

Was that magistrate’s ruling appealed to a higher court?

@WilliamFleming Yes, it was and eventually the Magistrate's ruling WAS overturned in his favor.
But, having said that, I, like many other Atheists/Agnostics here in Australia, at present may be having gut feelings that this 'NEW' Proposed Bill for Religious Freedoms soon to presented to the Federal Parliament WILL drastically change things for the worst and WE may be forced back into the shadows yet again to vilified, etc, as we once were for decades, even centuries before.
And, whilst on that subject, I would like to THANK Prime minister Morrison for the absence of his reply/response to the numerous phone calls and e-mails sent to him re- the Proposed Bill from both myself and the numerous others who joined the Cause as well, be assured, be well assured Mr. Morrison, I for one, WILL NOT be silenced and I WILL send more and more e-mails, etc, etc, UNTIL you deign to hear our grievances.

@WilliamFleming a start just like original brown shirts of Hitler became the Gestapo

I agree. I said the plege everyday and always skipped the part about god.
In Texas the pledge in schools is mandated by state law. Stupid I know. But students do not have to stand and recite it if they do not want to. That does not mean an over zealous substitute will not get into a power struggle with a child and try to force them to stand.

No kidding