Republicans in Congress have introduced legislation (part of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004) that would reduce fines for religious organizations that violate separation laws, and permit them to maintain their tax-exempt status (contingent on separation under current law). The separation of church and state is one of the cornerstones of the First Amendment, designed to guarantee the freedom of all Americans to practice their faith freely and bolstering the other provisions of the Bill of Rights itself.

Some believe the bill is designed to permit politicians to break the rules and exploit religious organizations, without direct harm to the organizations themselves. That kind of risk-free tax-free status is considered by many critics to be an invitation to corruption of the long-standing public trust which keeps politicians from directing the activities of churches and interfering with issues of faith. [For more: Salon]