Should state and church be separated?

Why church and state shouldn't be separated?

• Answer:

  This Question presupposes that there is some benefit in not having Church and State separated. But, as long as there is not full and transparent separation between Church and State, there will always be the risk that the relationship will be abused for the benefit of Church or State. It may well be that advocates of a binding relationship between Church and State expect that this would work to the benefit of the Church, but it also means that the state has the power to interfere in Church appointments, promotions and even doctrine. This Question is also pertinent to the categories in which it was asked. Outside Israel, a close relationship between religion and State could be very harmful to Judaism. Similarly, a close relationship between religion and State could be very harmful to Islam, other than in Islamic countries.