What does "Separation of Church and State" mean?

[Brian37]

‘Separation of church and state’ means, in broadest terms, that the two coexist without either one having authority over the other. Of course, this applies only in a perfect world.

In reality, it means that the state cannot promulgate laws regulating religion (though they frequently do) and religious organisations (not individuals) have no business meddling in affairs of state (though this seems to happen with alarming regularity).

Boru

Applying "Separation of Church And State" and "establishment clause" has always been a mixed bag in court cases. And the religious right forever has made many attempts in courts to justify a social pecking order using "free exercise" as their argument. It is also why while things like Roe V Wade, while long standing established law, has been attacked by the GOP and in many locations severely hindered access. They don't always use "God is against abortion" in court cases, but nobody is stupid enough to claim it is a secular argument when it is clearly a majority religious right argument.