Is a Secular State Possible?

There have been various discussions about separation of church and state in Nicaragua in http://www.NicaLiving.com where most have been inspired by the current strict abortion ban. A recent post pointed out that since 1939, the Nicaraguan constitution has defined Nicaragua as a secular state. But, it clearly is not really the case.

Other nations, most recently Bolivia, have declared themselves to be secular. The U.S. claims religious freedom but there are many instances of discrimination—both on the part of individuals and on the part of the government—against people based on their religion. Even within the Christian traditions of the U.S., many were surprised when John Kennedy, a Catholic, managed to get elected president.

Is a secular state possible? Or, for that matter, even desirable? That is, might it not be better for a nation to admit that they are Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, ... than continue to pretend they are not?