Separation of Church and State

Mother Jones recently devoted an entire issue to the growing influence of religion on politics is the US. While the magazine is clearly more on the liberal side, the articles are well researched. The best article is one on the "Original Intent" of the founding fathers. It fairly clearly goes through the various documents, both state and federal and points out the clear intent to separate religion and the state. Excellent read.

http://motherjones.com/news/feature/2005/12/
original_intent.html

Two other interesting articles are:
Smith vs. Darwin - about the idea of the Invisible Hand in economics
http://motherjones.com/commentary/columns/
2005/12/smith_darwin.html

A collection of interesting and odd facts related to aid and charity (I.e. AMERICANS SPEND $8 billion on Christmas decorations, almost 4 times what they give to protect animals and the environment. A MINNESOTA company has made $758,000 selling “His Essence”—a candle that smells the way the Bible says Jesus will upon his return (myrrh, aloe, and cassia). JOHN TRAVOLTA piloted his 707 filled with 5 tons of food and 450 tetanus doses to New Orleans, where he met fellow Scientologists providing “therapy” to Katrina victims.)
http://motherjones.com/news/exhibit/2005/12/exhibit.html

The rest of the magazine (link to index below) touches on Intelligent Design, Death Row Conversions, and other topics

http://motherjones.com/toc/2005/12/index.html