"This is not about "freedom of speech" or even freedom of religion." Peg, I mean no offence, but that is exactly what I was talking about.

"That's why we have a clear separation of church and state." You do?   I don't see any evidence that this is much more than wishful thinking.

"By making it clear he considers himself the leader of a Christian nation, Mr. Bush creates an atmosphere in which religion, and religious beliefs, are part of the public theatre."

Religion is very much a part of the 'public theatre', as it always has been throughout human history. And according to these statistics Mr. Bush is indeed the leader of a 'Christian nation'!

According to stats from the 2002 census at the above link -

86.8% of Americans view themselves as 'religious'.

70% of Americans think it is 'extremely important' that their President be 'strongly religious'.

82% of Americans identified themselves as Christian in 2002, compared with 89% in 1949.

50% of Americans are very uncomfortable when presidential candidates express how religious they are. (aside - so how can 70% of you want a 'strongly religious' President, then? Pretty confusing!)

Anyway, that sounds like Bush leads quite the 'Christian' nation to me, whether the words are popular or not. And truthfully, I have noticed that if there's one kind of Christian more 'dangerous' to the religious freedom of their neighbours than the 'fundamentalist' kind, it's the disgruntled 'ex-Christian' types! That's why I don't affiliate myself with any particular group.

daylia